Here is what I’ll be keying on today, with the 2012 NFL Draft in mind. We’ll have individual previews of Ohio State/Wisconsin and USC/Stanford a little later today. See the Michigan State/Nebraska notes below this post.
Saturday NFL Draft watch notes
No game has a better quarterback match-up than Baylor at Oklahoma State. The Bears' Robert Griffin III has become a darling this season while the Cowboys' Brandon Weeden is considered by many as a solid backup prospect. They both benefit from great wide receivers. Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon only played a half last week after suffering a concussion. When he was in the game, though, his hands were surprisingly inconsistent. Baylor's Kendall Wright has been catching a fair amount of passes the past few weeks, but opponents aren't letting him break plays open of late. He remains a solid second-round player.
One of the key players in the Baylor/Oklahoma State game is going to be Cowboys safety Markelle Martin. In a weak safety class, Martin could help himself a great deal today. He'll be playing in coverage and working toward the line so Griffin doesn't make many big runs.
Junior cornerback
has four interceptions and eight total passes defended this season and has impressed in his first year at K-State following junior college. He should matchup against Oklahoma wide receiver
quite well. Receivers with size will give Malone trouble, but Broyles is listed at 5-foot-10, 188 and should play into Malone’s strengths. He’s a player to watch for in 2013.
Finally, Missouri tight end
is playing like the player he was expected to be this season. He’s averaging six catches a game over Missouri’s last three contest and could help himself against a Texas A&M 3-4 defense that may not have linebackers who can keep up in coverage.
It will be interesting to see if Arkansas’ Tyler WIlson throws at Vanderbilt’s
at all today. The Commodores senior has great hands and really played well a few weeks ago against South Carolina’s Alshon Jeffery.
Speaking of Jeffery, did you know he doesn’t have a game of more than 100 yards receiving this season? While that’s due largely to the quarterback play at South Carolina, he needs a break out game. It could happen against Tennessee today.
Clemson’s
has shown of late that he’s a dangerous pass rusher. What he can show today against Georgia Tech that he knows how to play the run. I love to analyze defensive ends against Georgia Tech because it’s a strong indicator of the player’s instincts and ability to keep blockers out of their legs. Branch has question marks in both areas.
I’ve never received more hate mail than when I questioned San Diego State quarterback
. As an update, Lindley is completing 50.5 percent of his passes this season with 12 touchdowns and four interceptions. There have been indications on which quarterbacks will be invited to the Senior Bowl and Shrine Game and Lindley wasn’t mentioned. The Aztecs play Wyoming today.
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