Outback Bowl NOON ESPN2
(19) Auburn vs. (18) Wisconsin
Location: Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, Florida)
- A battle of vastly different offensive philosophies in this one. Auburn's high powered spread option against Wisconsin's old school punishing ground attack. Auburn is coming off a shootout loss in the Iron Bowl while Wisconsin was blown out by Ohio State in the Big 10 title game. Both teams have hired new coaches to their staff. Former Gators head coach Will Muschamp joins Auburn as the defensive coordinator after a unsuccessful stint in Gainesville. Wisconsin hired Pittsburgh head coach Paul Chyrst to replace Gary Andersen, who went to Oregon State. The Badgers will have their current AD, Barry Alvarez coach the team in the interim (Alvarez was the coach before transitioning to the AD job). Auburn is missing their top receiver Duke Williams due to an unspecified violation of team rules.
Auburn prospects to watch:
1. Reese Dismukes C 6'2 298 Senior
2. Corey Grant RB 5'10 205 Senior
3. Gabe Wright DT 6'3 284 Senior
4. Sammie Coates WR 6'1 201 RS Junior
Wisconsin prospects to watch:
1. Melvin Gordon RB 6'1 207 Junior
Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic 12:30 PM ESPN
(8) Michigan State vs. (5) Baylor
Location: AT&T Stadium (Dallas, Texas)
- Can the high flying Bears offense match wits with one of the country's best defenses? Is Baylor up for this game after being so bitterly disappointed after getting left out of the playoff? How will the Spartans respond to the loss of their legendary architect of the defense? Former MSU DC Pat Narduzzi took the Pittsburgh head coaching job. Baylor HC Art Briles was rather vocal in his displeasure that Baylor was left out along with TCU. The Horned Frogs laid a tremendous beat down on Ole Miss yesterday. It will be interesting to watch how Baylor responds. MSU QB Connor Cook is returning to school for his senior season.
Michigan State prospects to watch:
1. Trae Waynes CB 6'1 185 RS Junior
2. Kurtis Drummond FS 6'1 200 RS Senior
3. Jeremy Langford RB 5'11 206 RS Senior
4. Tony Lippett WR 6'3 185 Senior
5. Shilique Calhoun DE 6'4 250 RS Junior
Baylor prospects to watch:
1. Bryce Petty QB 6'3 230 Senior
2. Antwan Goodley WR 5'11 220 Senior
3. Shawn Oakman DE 6'9 280 Junior (returned to school)
Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl 1 PM ABC
(16) Missouri vs. (25) Minnesota
- Can the Tigers bounce back after being shelled by Alabama in the SEC title game? Minnesota surprised everyone by staying in the Big 10 West race until the final weekend. The Golden Gophers gave Ohio State all they could handle and then some in a snowy hard fought loss.
Missouri prospects to watch:
1. Markus Golden 6'3 260 DE RS Senior
2. Shane Ray DE 6'3 245 RS Junior
Minnesota prospect to watch:
1. David Cobb RB 5'11 229 Senior
Northwestern Mutual Rose Bowl Game 5 PM ESPN
(2) Oregon vs (3) Florida State
- Our dear beloved and fearless leader, Jommy, has an excellent write up so I can't add much else to it.
Oregon prospects to watch:
1. Marcus Mariota QB 6'4 219 RS Junior
2. Arik Armstead DL 6'8 290 Junior
3. Ifo Ekpre-Olomu CB 5'10 195 Senior (injured)
4. Joe Walker LB 6'2 240 Junior
5. DeForest Buckner DL 6'7 290 Junior
6. Hroniss Grasu C 6'3 297 Senior
7. Jake Fisher OT 6'6 300 Senior
8. Tony Oregon (Washington) LB 6'3 250
Florida State prospects to watch:
1. Cameron Erving OT 6'5 320 RS Senior
2. Mario Edwards, Jr DE 6'3 277 Junior
3. PJ Williams CB 6'0 190 Junior
4. Rashad Greene WR 6'0 180 Senior
5. Karlos Williams RB 6'1 223 Senior
6. Ronald Darby DB 5'11 195 Junior
7. Nick O'Leary TE 6'3 247 Senior
8. Jameis Winston QB 6'4 230 RS Sophomore
Allstate Sugar Bowl 8:30 PM ESPN
(1) Alabama vs. (4) Ohio State
- See above
Alabama prospects to watch:
1. Amari Cooper WR 6'1 205 Junior
2. Landon Collins S 6'0 215 Junior
3. Arie Kouandjio 6'5 315 OG Senior
4. Trey DePriest ILB 6'2 245 Senior
Ohio State prospects to watch:
1. Michael Bennett DL 6'2 288 Senior
2, Doran Grant CB 5'11 193 Senior