Bowl Game Previews: New Year’s Day

Rob Willette

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A new year not only brings renewed optimism: it brings great football. 2015’s slate of games may be the best bowl season has had to offer in a long time due to the introduction of the playoff system. Even before the final four, kickoff, however, there are a host of games that should be of interested to football fans, namely the ones we’ll look at here. Check back later today for our look at the playoff games.

Outback Bowl
Auburn vs. Wisconsin
ESPN2, 12 p.m. EST

Auburn had its eyes on a different New Year’s Day game, though it will have to settle for an Outback appearance after several losses down the stretch. Nick Marshall is a well-known name in the college football community, but he has no devy value. A position change is likely in the works if he wants to carve out an NFL career. Ultimately, he is keeping the seat warm for sophomore quarterback Jeremy Johnson, a prospect whose stock should soar once he takes the field full-time in 2015.

Auburn’s backfield is simply loaded. Cameron Artis-Payne assumed Tre Mason’s old role as workhorse back and piled up 1,482 yards and 11 touchdowns. The 2013 junior college transfer plays a simple game but is incredibly effective in the process. Were he a few years younger, he’d be a possible day two pick readymade for the NFL. As is, he is a likely day three selection that hangs around the league for a few years and sprinkles in splash games now and then.

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Corey Grant is one of college football’s fastest players. He’s far from a complete runner, yet speed is always at a premium at any level of football. He should get a camp invite, though to expect much at the next level is a leap. Roc Thomas is a true freshman, five star recruit with explosive ability and phenomenal high school game tape. He’s still got plenty to learn at the college level, specifically when it comes to patience and the passing game; however, he’s a dynamic talent that likely would be talked about as one of the nation’s elite true freshman runners had he been afforded the opportunity many others have. He’s the best devy prospect in this backfield by a wide margin. Peyton Barber is blessed with a great size/speed combination, but he has fallen down the depth chart and will run behind the aforementioned Thomas as well as junior college transfer Jovon Robinson next year. He’s at best a flier at this point.

Despite having a limited passing game, Auburn’s top two receivers are on par with any in the country. D’haquille Williams announced he is returning for his senior year, which is a slight hit to the 2015 class but possibly the best move for him personally. A physical receiver with a high compete level and strong intermediate game, Williams is an older prospect than you care for if you’re an ageist like me, but he’s got the goods to start in the NFL. Sammie Coates can be the ultimate tease that lures you in with the phenomenal catch and then breaks your heart by dropping the easy one. His ability as a vertical threat is undeniable, however, and even if he’s maxed out he should find a niche as a field-stretcher in the NFL.

It is no secret that Wisconsin has had a parade of productive backs cycle through the college ranks. None have been better than Melvin Gordon. The redshirt junior is blessed with size, long speed, and the rare ability to slide off defenders and avoid punishing hits. He would have been the top runner had he declared last year and may be again this year. Corey Clement is a well-known devy stock, though he’s not nearly as talented as Gordon. He’s a better runner than Montee Ball – who was severely overdrafted – but he looks like a mid-round pick best suited as a complimentary runner when he turns pro.

Cotton Bowl
Michigan State vs. Baylor
ESPN, 12:30 p.m. EST

The hallmark of the Mark Dantonio era has been player development. The Spartans have routinely taken two or three star prospects and turned them into college stars. While that creates a strong, winning environment, it also means some of their top devy talent takes longer to hit the spotlight. One such talent is Connor Cook, a redshirt junior who has announced he is returning for his senior season, making him the early, very slight favorite to the be top quarterback off the board in 2016. A strong-armed, gutsy signal-caller that can be both the best player on the field or the worst, Cook has the talent to suggest first round yet still needs a lot of polish.

Jeremy Langford leads the Spartans backfield, and may be a bit underrated thanks to a deep class of runners, specifically in the Big 10. He’s a meat and potatoes back that could find his niche as part of a committee.

Out wide, Tony Lippett has emerged as the Spartans top playmaker. A tall, lanky receiver that is technically sound, he’s short on bulk and overwhelming athleticism. He is a day three pick potentially in the Michael Jenkins mold.

As is typical in the Art Briles era, Baylor is loaded with talent on offense. Triggerman Bryce Petty could push to be third quarterback off the board in 2015, though that is an indictment of the group’s depth. He can make some beautiful throws, yet also can get frenetic in the pocket and will of course have the system quarterback concerns. He’s more than likely a day three developmental pick.

Shock Linwood entered the year with hype as the next big thing at running back, and he responded with big numbers. However, his overall game did not take off as hoped in Baylor’s spread attack. He’s an incredibly productive college runner, though his draft value remains a major question mark.

Out wide, the Bears feature two receivers with atypical builds. Antwan Goodley and Corey Coleman have running back frames (Coleman used to be a running back) and run after catch ability that mirrors that of a top runner. Neither is going to carry a passing offense, yet both have unique skills that could lead to a home in the NFL. True freshman K.D. Cannon is possibly the best devy prospect of the bunch. He slowed after a scorching start, but still demonstrated vertical ability along with a relatively advanced intermediate game. He’s about three hundred cheeseburgers short of being an elite devy prospect but the long-term potential is there. Fellow freshman Davion Hall had a quieter freshman season but has the upside to emerge as the better prospect over time.

Citrus Bowl
Minnesota vs. Missouri
ABC, 1 p.m. EST

Fear the Double X. Maxx Williams is only a redshirt sophomore, but he has demonstrated the ability to use his body well in red-zone situations and has excellent body control in the open field. He’s reportedly on the verge of declaring for this upcoming year’s draft, which is a good idea given how weak the class is at the position. Given the dearth of productive tight ends, he could flirt with being a first round rookie pick.

David Cobb is the Gophers only other notable devy player suiting up this Thursday. He’s shown more wiggle than he did during his junior season and has been the bell cow for Minnesota for two years straight. He lacks elite traits, which relegates him to more of a long-term back-up, spot starter role. He should, however, hear his name called on the draft’s third day.

This game profiles as a defensive battle, with few playmakers on offense for either side. You can ride the Maty Mauk rollercoaster if you like, though I’ll pass on paying for a ticket. Mauk can be electric at times and hopeless at others. An undersized, inaccurate passer, he is not a devy asset.

Russell Hansbrough leads the Tigers backfield and is closing in on his first 1,000 yard season. He’s likely topped out as an incredibly efficient college runner; the pro upside is just not there. This game will likely appeal more to IDP players, especially given all the talent along both defensive lines.

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rob willette