The unquestioned game of the day is Oklahoma at Florida State (8 p.m., ESPN). Many have had the game circled all offseason and it should be packed with NFL scouts.
Oklahoma/Florida State NFL Draft watch notes
Regarding Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones, there is much consternation among NFL Draft analysts. Rob Rang of CBS Sports/NFL Draft Scout and Tony Pauline of NFL Draft Insider/SI.com think very little of Landry. People like myself see Landry make enough good throws to consider him a first-round pick.
Opposite him is Florida State quarterback EJ Manuel. He's still a somewhat unknown as a prospect, but has the tools to succeed. Tonight will be a big game to show what he can do against a top team.
The most proven player in tonight's game is Oklahoma wide receiver Ryan Broyles. Everyone knows what he can do. He can get open and he has maybe the best hands in the nation. People also know he's undersized and may not have the best speed. He may have to get drafted by a timing-based pass offense to succeed at the next level.
This game also features two of the nation’s pass rushers in Florida State’s Brandon Jenkins and Oklahoma’s Ronnell Lewis. Both may have to move out to linebacker at the next level, especially Lewis.
There are also a few cornerbacks to watch in this game. Florida State’s
was mentioned plenty, but the Seminoles pass defense may be dependent on the play of Greg Reid. He had a lot of trouble in this game last season. For Oklahoma, cornerback
is much less regarded. He’s more of a dime corner at the next level.
In addition to having arguably the best pair of cornerbacks in the nation, FSU might have the best offensive tackle duo with
and
. Both could be picked in the first two rounds of the 2012 NFL Draft.
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