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Southern California at Oregon; Saturday; 3 PM ET; FSN… The survivor of this one would appear to have the inside track to at least the Pac-10’s Rose Bowl berth, although both programs likely still have hopes of bigger things. The big question at Oregon will be whether USC QB John David Booty (#10, 6-3, 210), a first day prospect for the upcoming draft is able to play through a broken finger. If Booty can’t go, sophomore Mark Sanchez (#6, 6-3, 225) will get the call; he’s talented but lacks Booty experience. Meanwhile, there won’t be any questions at QB for the Ducks who will look to Dennis Dixon (#10, 6-4, 205), arguably the most improved player in college football this season, for veteran leadership, while Dixon will be looking for a solid performance to cement a spot among this year’s top-tier of QB prospects for the 2008 draft.
Whether Booty plays or not, USC has as many top prospects for the 2008 draft including LT Sam Baker (#79, 6-5, 310), DT Sedric Ellis (#49, 6-2, 295), OLB Keith Rivers (#55, 6-3, 230), and DE Lawrence Jackson (#96, 6-4, 265) all have first round potential, while TE Fred Davis (#83, 6-4, 260) and CB Terrel Thomas (#28, 6-0, 200) are close. Meanwhile, most of Oregon’s better pro prospects are underclassmen including juniors such as RB Jonathan Stewart (#28, 5-10, 230), WR Jaison Williams (#4, 6-4, 240), OT Max Unger (#60, 6-5, 310), and S Patrick Chung (#15, 5-11, 210) and sophomore CB Jairus Byrd (#32, 5-11, 205).
Ohio State at Penn State; Saturday, 8 PM ET; ABC… There is also plenty on the line in this game which features as a subplot a matchup between two of the countries best LB corps. The Buckeyes’ defense, for example, is led by star junior MLB James Laurinaitis (#33, 6-2, 245) and underrated OLB Marcus Freeman (#1, 6-1, 245), while Penn State’s best players are MLB Dan Connor (#40, 6-2, 233) and junior OLB Sean Lee (#45, 6-2, 232) both of whom are more athletic than former Nittany Lion LB Paul Posluszny, a second round pick at the 2007 draft by Buffalo who was leading all rookie tacklers before suffering an early season-ending injury. For good measure, both OSU and PSU also have a top junior CB. Indeed, Ohio State’s Malcolm Jenkins (#2, 6-0, 205) tops most draft boards around the league at the position, while Penn State’s Justin King (#1, 5-11, 186) also figures in the opening round mix. Ohio State, in fact, is loaded with top juniors including LT Alex Boone (#75, 6-7, 325), DE Vernon Gholston (#50, 6-4, 260), OG Steve Rehring (#6-7, 330), DB Jamario O’Neal (#3, 6-0, 200) and WR Brian Robiskie (#80, 6-2, 195), while RT Kirk Barton (#74, 6-5, 310) is a solid second tier senior candidate.
Whether Booty plays or not, USC has as many top prospects for the 2008 draft including LT Sam Baker (#79, 6-5, 310), DT Sedric Ellis (#49, 6-2, 295), OLB Keith Rivers (#55, 6-3, 230), and DE Lawrence Jackson (#96, 6-4, 265) all have first round potential, while TE Fred Davis (#83, 6-4, 260) and CB Terrel Thomas (#28, 6-0, 200) are close. Meanwhile, most of Oregon’s better pro prospects are underclassmen including juniors such as RB Jonathan Stewart (#28, 5-10, 230), WR Jaison Williams (#4, 6-4, 240), OT Max Unger (#60, 6-5, 310), and S Patrick Chung (#15, 5-11, 210) and sophomore CB Jairus Byrd (#32, 5-11, 205).
Ohio State at Penn State; Saturday, 8 PM ET; ABC… There is also plenty on the line in this game which features as a subplot a matchup between two of the countries best LB corps. The Buckeyes’ defense, for example, is led by star junior MLB James Laurinaitis (#33, 6-2, 245) and underrated OLB Marcus Freeman (#1, 6-1, 245), while Penn State’s best players are MLB Dan Connor (#40, 6-2, 233) and junior OLB Sean Lee (#45, 6-2, 232) both of whom are more athletic than former Nittany Lion LB Paul Posluszny, a second round pick at the 2007 draft by Buffalo who was leading all rookie tacklers before suffering an early season-ending injury. For good measure, both OSU and PSU also have a top junior CB. Indeed, Ohio State’s Malcolm Jenkins (#2, 6-0, 205) tops most draft boards around the league at the position, while Penn State’s Justin King (#1, 5-11, 186) also figures in the opening round mix. Ohio State, in fact, is loaded with top juniors including LT Alex Boone (#75, 6-7, 325), DE Vernon Gholston (#50, 6-4, 260), OG Steve Rehring (#6-7, 330), DB Jamario O’Neal (#3, 6-0, 200) and WR Brian Robiskie (#80, 6-2, 195), while RT Kirk Barton (#74, 6-5, 310) is a solid second tier senior candidate.
