Pittsburgh vs. Syracuse
Syracuse is showing some life after a bleak
year in '05 which continued during the early part of this season. Pittsburgh has
lost just a single game this year and is poised to make a competitive run at the
conference title. A trio of underrated prospects stand out in this
contest.
The Panthers offer the top quarterback/receiver
combinations in the conference. Senior signal caller Tyler Palko has really
taken his game to another level this season. Averaging 262-yards passing
per game and completing 68% of his throws, Palko has also connected on 14 touchdown
passes while throwing just three picks during the team's initial five
games. His favorite target is junior wide out Derek Kinder who leads
the Big East in every receiving category.
Kinder is a developing wide out with sure hands
and the ability to break games open.
The two face off against Orange cornerback Tanard Jackson,
one of the nation's most underrated cover-corners. A consistent positive at SU the past three years, Jackson has opposing
quarterbacks consistently looking away from him.
Jackson sits as a first day pick next April
while Palko will get consideration in the late rounds by a team which runs the
west coast offense. Kinder, the next in what has been a line of good
receivers from the Pitt program, will grade out as a top 45 pick for the '07
draft.
West Virginia vs. Mississippi State
An unusual match-up between the Big East and
SEC offering a pair of programs headed in different directions. The West
Virginia running game is explosive and helped by a pair of solid senior
blockers. Mississippi State on their behalf offer two of the best
defensive tackles people are unaware of.
Dan Mozes has been a productive offensive
lineman for West Virginia at both guard and center. Explosive and smart,
Mozes lacks bulk but is a solid late round pick who could be an invaluable
utility lineman at the next level.
Jeremy Sheffey is a strong
blocker
who opens holes for the running game. A late round pick/free agent
prospect, he could also add depth at the next level.
Deljuan Robinson is the leader of the of the
Bulldog line and a tenacious defender who goes hard until the whistle
blows, making a good amount of plays on the inside. Robinson is good value
at the start of the draft's second day and a player who could produce at the
next level.
Robinson's teammate Antonio Johnson is considered to
have better potential for the next level yet rarely plays to it.
Johnson could end up as a late round pick and can be a quality player in the NFL
if the light ever goes on.
Texas vs. Oklahoma
The Red River Rivalry offers another great
contest in the Big 12 this year. Each squad has one loss this
season and this is a must win for both teams.
Several match-ups will be offered throughout
the day but the one to concentrate on is Adrian Peterson against the Longhorn
defensive line.
Peterson is off and running this season and
despite the Sooners woes at quarterback and on the offensive line, he has been running
rough-shod over opponents. Proving he is a multi-dimensional player,
Peterson has done much of the work on his own this season. Already stating he is likely to
enter the draft, Peterson will be a top-three pick next April.
Texas offers three draftable players on their
defensive line. Tackle Frank Okam stuffs the run in the middle of the line
and commands double teams. The junior is a pocket pusher that will be a first
round pick if he leaves for the draft after this season.
Tim Crowder and
Brian Robinson are a pair of
solid defensive ends. Crowder, the better athlete, is a solid pass-rusher
but can be a liability against the run. Robinson makes a lot of plays with
his head and will get late round consideration.
South Carolina vs. Kentucky
A resurgent Kentucky
program hopes to keep the momentum going after several surprising
victories. South Carolina comes off a tough loss against Auburn and needs a
victory to keep their bowl hopes alive.
Red-shirt sophomore Sidney Rice is justifiably
considered a first round pick whenever he enters the draft. A tall, fluid
wide out, Rice plays with great balance and body control. Natural in all
aspects, he possesses both soft and strong hands. After a slow start to the
season Rice has been on fire the past three weeks.
Kentucky possesses just a single NFL prospect
from their senior class, cornerback Bo Smith. Offering solid size/speed
numbers, Smith flashes cover skills but must start to consistently make plays. Part
of the problem is opposing quarterbacks purposely throw away from Smith.
When matched-up against Rice on Saturday Smith is likely to see plenty of action. This is a good match-up to watch and a
solid opportunity for Smith to show he has the stuff needed for the next level.
Tennessee vs. Georgia
An important contest in the SEC East as
Tennessee needs a win in Georgia to keep its' conference title hopes alive. This game
offers a tremendous battle on the line of scrimmage.
Arron Sears is one of the most underrated
blockers in the nation and a player we highlighted in last week's review.
Productive the past three years, Sears is a terrific left tackle who could also
be pushed inside to guard at the next level.
This week's task is a tough one as Sears faces one of
the highest rated senior prospects in the nation. Quentin Moses is an explosive
pass rusher who consistently makes plays in the opponents backfield. Fast
off the edge, he has the athleticism to pursue plays from the backside and
creates a lot of havoc.
Sears has his work cut out for him tomorrow but
good results could push him into the first round.