Bowl Game Previews: College Football Playoff

Rob Willette Posted On January 1, 2015

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New Year’s Day is annually the most anticipated day within bowl season. The combination of elite college football and pageantry brings forth even the most casual football fan. 2015 has the added bonus of being the inaugural college football playoff semi-final date. Cure your hangover this January 1^st with two great matchups in the Rose and Sugar Bowls.

Rose Bowl
Oregon vs. Florida State
ESPN, 4:30 p.m. EST

As you’d expect from a national semi-final, this game is stacked with intriguing talent on both sides of the football. Heisman winner Marcus Mariota is the marquee talent for the Ducks. A stat-stuffing, dual-threat quarterback, there are plenty of questions surrounding Mariota’s transition to the NFL game, but few dispute he is one of devy’s elite players at the quarterback position and the early favorite to go number one overall in the 2015 NFL Draft. He will have the national stage to demonstrate his wares against a talented Seminole defense that has had a very up and down season.

The new kid on the block in Eugene is Royce Freeman, whose fit in the Oregon offense has relegated preseason devy darling Thomas Tyner to a change of pace role and spurned a position change for 2013’s leading rusher Byron Marshall. Already blessed with an NFL frame as a true freshman, Freeman’s blend of power and nimble feet has many discussing him as a top five devy asset following the departure of 2015’s elite prospects. Even in a year with numerous true freshman runners having a huge impact, Rolls Royce has stood out. He will have an opportunity to really burst onto the national scene this bowl season.

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Oregon does not feature one receiver; rather, they’ve spread the wealth considerably this year with seven players over 250 yards receiving for the year. Leading the way is the aforementioned Byron Marshall, who’s flipped from feature back to all-purpose weapon in one calendar year. It is unclear what Marshall’s NFL future will hold – he could be a Shane Vereen type of back at the next level – but for now just sit back and enjoy one of college football’s most underappreciated weapons.

Speedster Devon Allen has gotten a lot of run as the Ducks’ big-play threat, but fellow redshirt freshman Darren Carrington may be the best NFL prospect of the bunch. Carrington’s excellent at using his lanky 6’2” frame to box out defenders and has a knack for demonstrating sticky hands in traffic. He’s still very early in his development curve, but the upside is apparent. Tight end Pharaoh Brown suffered a gruesome injury in November. If healthy, he may be the best NFL prospect of the bunch.

Little needs to be said about Jameis Winston. Love him or hate him, he’s the nation’s premier passer when he puts it all together and it is really not that close. Of course, he’s had more difficulty putting together complete performances in 2014 than he did in 2013. Along with the off-field baggage, he has shown more on-field warts and that has removed his status as a stone-cold lock for the number one pick. It’s still within reach, but Winston has to sell himself early in 2015, starting with the college football playoff.

We’ve seen a changing of the guard recently in the Seminoles’ backfield. Karlos Williams entered the season as the sexy new devy prospect being ushered onto rosters and will exit it as a late-round/UDFA back that gets a camp chance based solely on athleticism. Williams has done well running in a straight line and not much else, opening the door for true freshman Dalvin Cook. Cook has been superior in every facet of the game and the offense takes on a different feel with him in the backfield. Hopefully the recent assault investigation opened against Cook turns up no wrongdoing, because this guy is legit.

While he was not a superstar, Florida State has missed the steady play of Kenny Shaw. His absence has created the need to lean on senior Rashad Greene and Greene has responded by carrying the passing offense for much of the season. A technician with consistent hands, Greene’s a day two pick, though he profiles as more of a complimentary receiver in the NFL and may hold similar value to lesser known prospects that will go later in the draft.

Sophomore Jesus “Bobo” Wilson has flashed big-time playmaking skills at times, though his career will likely be that of part-time playmaker rather than premier receiver. True freshman Travis Rudolph and Ermon Lane have had their moments but neither proved ready to make a major instant impact. Lane remains the better long-term prospect while Rudolph is more likely to reach his ceiling. Tight end Nick O’Leary collects a lot of awards but is not a notable devy prospect. He’ll play in the NFL, just with minimal fantasy impact.

Sugar Bowl
Ohio State vs. Alabama
ESPN, 8:00 p.m. EST

This matchup lost some luster with J.T. Barrett on the shelf for the remainder of the season, but Cardale Jones acquitted himself well in the Big Ten title game and there’s still plenty of talent occupying both sidelines.

Even without an elite dual-threat in Barrett, the Buckeye offense is a threat to score on every play, in large part thanks to breakout sophomore running back Ezekiel Elliott. Despite being the lead runner on one of college football’s best teams, Elliott does not get nearly as much pub as his fellow sophomore backs, yet he has been one said group’s most productive runners. He’s potentially bulked up a bit too much – he is a rock-solid 220+ pounds – and has looked a bit less agile and explosive compared to last year. He is, however, patient, and knows how to pick through a defense. He’s also broken enough big plays this year to demonstrate some degree of athleticism. He’s not yet a complete runner worthy of a lofty devy pick, yet he is on the 2016 watch list.

The Buckeyes are strong at receiver, with big play specialist Devin Smith gaining late steam as one of the annual “draft risers.” A vertical threat with a solid frame, Smith may be a bulkier Paul Richardson. Michael Thomas is the most traditional receiver for Urban Meyer’s group. He’s got a typical receiver build and has proven equally adept at turning quick screens into positive yardage and making big plays downfield thanks to his size. He’s not always a natural catcher, though he gets away with it due to his ability to dominate smaller defensive backs. Jalin Marshall has assumed the Percy Harvin-lite role in Urban Meyer’s offense. He’s the most versatile talent, although his raw talent level is nowhere near Harvin. Both Thomas and Marshall are worthy of devy roster spots in deeper leagues while Smith should be a rookie pick selection following this year’s draft.

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