January 1st 4:30 PM (Eastern)
Pasadena, California (Rose Bowl)
Stanford Review
After a 20-14 win over Wisconsin in last years Rose Bowl the Stanford Cardinals will be making their fourth straight BCS Bowl appearance and their 15th Rose Bowl appearance which ranks third just behind USC and Michigan. Stanford flew under the radar throughout the year despite being ranked as high as fourth in the nation led by another stingy defense loaded with big hitters and a smash mouth running game.
The Cardinals finished the season 11-2 with impressive wins over teams like Notre Dame, UCLA, Oregon. They also whooped up on south division champ Arizona State not once but twice. Out of all of them, the Thursday night game against the Ducks proved to be most memorable and meaningful as the then number two ranked Ducks led by quarterback Marcus Mariota were steamrolled the the Stanford defense. They suffocated Mariota's run-option game and dominated them on third downs throughout the night. That was a huge statement win for the Cardinals and got them the recognition nationally they deserved.
Though if it weren't for a few major let downs this team could have been set up to play in the BCS National Championship game. Salty losses to unranked teams like Utah and USC ultimately was their only downfall through out the year and both of those games were decided by six points or less. Still head coach David Shaw has done a tremendous job since taking over for Jim Harbaugh in 2011 while not changing the philosophy of Physical defense and owning the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.
Michigan State Review
After losing six games by a combined 13 points last year the Spartans came out to prove they were better than their 2012 record indicated, they did that and more. Michigan State breezed through their schedule squashing every opponent but one (Notre Dame) to end with a 11-1 record before stunning the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Big Ten Title game 34-24.
Led by defense so rude and disgusting it would make your grandma faint the Spartans ranked first in a majority of defensive categories including 248.2 yards allowed per game, 3.94 yards per play, and 80 yards rushing allowed per game.
Their was even a stretch of five games where the defense didn't allow a single touchdown making coaches cry before bed time and forcing opposing quarterbacks to strap their jock a couple notches tighter. It was that same suffocating defense that put quarterback Connor Cook and the offense in ideal situation time and time again as they ran down the throats of opposing defenses with Jeremy Langford who had 17 touchdowns while Cook made the big throws when he had too. In fact, Cook may be the story that everyone should be talking about when discussing the Spartans magical season as he was booted out of the starting lineup earlier in the year until he progressed into the teams most consistent player.
Cook found his rhythm and timing but more importantly his confidence mid-way though the year and it showed. Instead of playing game manager, Cook took the game into his own hands and became much more aggressive when the timing was right. His most important attribute still was his protection of the football throwing 20 touchdown passes to just 5 interceptions for a 4:1 ratio.
Game Matchup
This game includes two teams that are nearly identical. Both thrive on physical-defensive play and a conservative yet smash mouth run oriented game plan on offense, scoring just enough points to win. Expect this game to be nasty and ugly for these two teams for a full four quarters as their defenses fly around the ball forcing the opposing teams offense to make a mistake.
The Spartans had an absurd seven players selected to the All Big-Ten coaches team including cornerback stud Darqueze Dennard and linebacker Denicos Allen. Dennard had for interceptions early in the season until quarterbacks chose not to throw his was anymore while Allen had 83 tackles, 15 for a loss, and 5.5 sacks.
Notice how I haven't mentioned middle linebacker Max Bullough once in this article yet? That's because he will be making just as much of an impact as I will sitting on my couch eating Cheetos and drinking a can of Foster's (don't judge me). Bullough, (76 tackles, 9.5 for loss) arguably the teams most consistent player in the last three years, (hasn't missed a game) was suspended a week ago for a driving while intoxicated ticket and is a crushing blow for the Spartans. Not only for his valuable leadership role he carries on the field but also the pivotal role he was going to play in defending Tyler Gaffney, the Cardinal workhorse between the tackles rushed for 1,626 yards and 20 touchdowns.
How well Bullough's replacement can recognize the play and calling out checks before the snap will be a big factor in the game.
With Gaffney, Stanford averages 210.9 yards on the ground per game while the Spartans give us a nations best 80 yards. Expect this game to be a chess match with no shortage of creativity. These two teams are the best in the nation at disgusing coverages and unleashing exotic blitzes and will pressure the offense into bad decision making.
Neither team will light up the scoreboard in this game, but with the Cardinals experience on the BCS stage, and surviving a harder conference schedule, Stanford should take advantage of Bullough's absence and churn out a close victory.
Draft Impact
So many prospects will hit the field in this years Rose Bowl with their draft stock hinging on the line. Here is a quick snap shot at some names to get familiar with that you will hear plenty about come draft day.
Darqueze Denard was dominant early on for the Spartans with four interceptions until opposing quarterbacks said enough was enough and stopped throwing his way, the biggest compliment to a cornerback you can get. Dennard was a huge piece of the nations number one defenses puzzle and is entrenched in the first round discussion. The combine could catapult his draft stock as the clear cut number one corner back with a good 40 time.
Denicos Allen was a rock in the Spartans defense notching 83 tackles, 15 for loss, 5.5 sacks, and 10 quarterback hits. Allen has the production now on his resume but must prove to scouts that it wasn't because of the talent around him. Allen is most likely a day two pick at this point, however, with Bullough out of the game this is a huge opportunity to show the world what he can do on his own.
Stanford's Trent Murphy is best at attacking the quarterback with his hand in the ground, but make no mistake about it, this man can attack you in a variety of ways. Murphy is equally talented as a defensive end and standing up while playing the outside linebacker position. His long legs help him gain ground quickly making up for his lack up initial burst all while showing good flexibility and dip for a man measuring in at 6'6" 260 pounds.
Murphy also has shown the ability to consistently beat cut blocks which is used to use players of his height to a non advantage. When watching him use so many weapons and instincts to beat his defenders one can't help but see a lot of J.J. Watt in him. A fringe first round pick as of now, I fully expect Murphy's stock to rise after the senior bowl and combine.
Linebacker Shane Skov led the Cardinals with 84 tackles back in 2012 before tearing his ACL forcing him to sit out until 2012. The injury was obvious as he came back with the explosion he once had now missing. However, now after more than tow year removed from the surgery Skov had the best season of his college career showing to everyone the explosion is back.
What was his biggest weakness immediately after the injury aggression, has now turned into a strength specifically when taking on and shedding blockers. Scouts will still be worried just how healthy Skov is and will drop due to those injury concerns. However when one team thinks the value is just to good to pass up Skov will be drafted. My projection is the late third round to a team like Minnesota, Denver, or New England.