Q&A: Shonn Greene, RB, Iowa

Shonn Greene, former Iowa running back, was interviewed on The All Access Football Friday on April 10 2009 show by Daniel Mogollon, Ralph Mancini and Rodney Towe.

The Draft is now 15 days away. Have you done any private workouts and if so, for whom?

Greene: I was worked out by the Jets. I went out to San Diego and then to Arizona with the Cardinals, so I’ve been here and there.

We just had Ian Johnson on, talking about the Combine process and the whole drafting process. What is your take on this process?

Greene: I think it is huge for those NFL guys to determine how we perform under pressure in a situation where we are uncomfortable, not knowing the surroundings and things like that. I think it measures that and teams like to see how you’re going to perform under pressure.

How stressful is it...is it stressful?

Greene: It can be if you let it, but I think if you focus on doing what you need to do and just having fun with the guys you’re around it is mush easier on you as opposed to worrying about running fast and things like that. You want to be focused but then again, you want to be relaxed and be yourself.

If we went back a year ago from today and we were talking to you as you were in spring practice and we told you in a year you would be getting ready for the NFL Draft, would you be surprised, or did you think this was a possibility, this soon?

Greene: I would be surprised. I don’t doubt myself. I know what I am capable of and I know the things that I could do but the way (how fast) things have happened is surprising to me.

Before my buddy Ralph comes in with a question I wanted to mention that he’s a Penn State fan. Talk about that big win you guys had and how great it was to knock off that undefeated team in the Big Ten.

[Ralph] “Oh no, come on” (laughs all around)

Greene: Oh man, that was a great feeling right there. You couldn’t ask for anything better in football. You have a top-ranked team, I believe they were ranked third in the nation at that time. It was a home game, it was cold, it was flurrying, snowing, and it was just a great football atmosphere. Our fans were into it and it was a great game. Both teams competed very well, we got after each other and the outcome, fortunately, went in our favor, so it was a good experience.

What was the atmosphere like after that win? Was everybody in Ames (IA) crazy for the whole week?

Greene: It was crazy, man. After the win, the fans came onto the field and I was getting hit over the top of the head by so many different people. I couldn’t see where my teammates were. It was just crazy.

I heard that your kicker could probably run for mayor and win the election if he decided to.

Greene: He probably could. That was probably the play of the year as far as Iowa is concerned. Props out to him (the kicker), he did a helluva job with all that pressure on him and still making the kick.

[Ralph] “You had enough, Dan? Have you got it all out of your system?” (laughs)

Your former coach, Kirk Ferentz, indicated that your attitude and determination are two things that make you a special player. Can you elaborate on that? What type of attitude do you bring to the table?

Greene: I think just being dedicated and hard working, having goals and things in life you want to achieve and to do those things, you have to be dedicated to what you’re doing. You have to want to do what you need to do. You have to have the mindset of not letting anything bother you. You have push through everything that comes up and I think that’s what I put in, as far as my attitude. Whatever comes my way, I’m going to handle it and get to where I want to go.

You took a long, winding journey to where you are today. As a matter of fact, for the people who don’t know this, you were ruled academically ineligible to play back in 2007 and you weren’t allowed to play football, basically. That must have been tough on you. How did you fill that void during 2007, when you couldn’t go out and play?

Greene: That was a big moment in my life. Football is everything to me and when that was taken away from me, I went to community college to get my grades up. I worked at a furniture store to pay rent and then to pay for my classes. I just worked to get my grades up so I could get back to Iowa and get back on the team. I think that whole year was a big turnaround for me and it matured me much more as a man.

Whenever I’ve watched you play, the thing that I really admire about you is you have excellent vision on the field and that allows you to hit those cutback lanes that you’re very good at. Walk us through what you’re thinking and what you’re looking for when the quarterback hands you the football. Does everything sort of slow down for you or do you just act on instinct?

Greene: I think it’s a little of both. Being a running back, I think everyone acts on instinct. In the Iowa offense we run a lot of zone plays, so we are basically taking our zone reads and looking for the opening and we’re following our offensive line and we’re cutting off of them. Some linebackers tend to overrun the play and that’s where you get the cutbacks. Having vision is a key and I think that’s a great ability for me and separates me from a lot of backs this year.

When you first got to Iowa your former coach Kirk Ferentz said that you would be an awesome linebacker, but back then you also had guys like Chad Greenway and Jonathan Babineaux playing the position. Do you think you really could have been a linebacker or played another position on defense?

Greene: I think so, but I’m not going to put my all out into that because I think I was running back at heart. That being said, I was a football player too so I think just being able to compete and get on the field I was going to do whatever. I liked the contact. That’s what linebackers do. They hit people and there’s a lot of contact. I think I could have made the transition but fortunately I stuck at running back and it turned out beautifully.

We talked about that winding road and it began back in New Jersey, where we are, in the northeast. We’ve had several guys from Jersey on. The Garden State looks like it is going to be represented well in the upcoming Draft, particularly at the running back position. Some of the guys you will be competing against for draft positioning are Knowshon Moreno and Donald Brown. Do you know any of those guys or any other Jersey guys, like B.J. Raji, who are going to be high picks in this Draft?

Greene: I didn’t know any of them leading up to this point, but at the Combine I met a couple of those guys and talked to them. I know a couple of them. Me and Knowshon talked a lot because he was at the College Football Awards and I was there and then the Doak Walker (Award) thing, so I know him pretty well. I saw Donald on a visit and we talked a little bit. I didn’t know them beforehand.

So you guys kind of gravitated towards each other at these different events, coming from the same part of the country?

Greene: Yes, absolutely. I think those kind of events brought us together. At first I didn’t know Knowshon or Donald were from Jersey. When those events started coming around and you hear where they’re from, you’re like “Wow, we’re all from Jersey!”

I believe you are the only running back to run for at least 100 yards in all of his games. What happened this year? Was it just that you got an opportunity to play?

Greene: I think that is the main thing. I got an opportunity to play along with a great offensive line here at Iowa. Those guys busted their chops and blocked their behinds off for me and they did a good job the whole season. That’s why I was able to get 100 yards in every game along with getting the opportunity to show what I could do. This past year was the first year I got to show what I could do on a starting basis every game.

Time for three-and-out: First down: Your favorite basketball player of all time?

Greene: Kobe Bryant.

Second down: Your favorite baseball player? It is baseball season...

Greene: That’s a really tough one because I don’t watch baseball like that. I have to go with Mike Schmidt.

Whoa, Mike Schmidt, old school. Third down: If you were in “Dancing with the Stars” or “American Idol” which competition would you do better in?

Greene: Probably “Dancing with the Stars”.

You've got some moves? Donald Brown said the same thing. I guess you Jersey guys have some moves, huh?

Greene: Yeah, you know, I like to keep it "nice and smooth”. (laughs all around)

Photo Credit: College Press Box (Iowa)

Draft Spotlight: Running Back

Who Are the Potential Feature Backs?

“Donald Brown (Connecticut), what can you say about that guy? LeSean McCoy (Pittsburgh), holy cow! You talk about great backs, I mean, they are great backs,” West Virginia head coach Bill Stewart said of the two Big East backs in a College Football Insiders radio interview. Joining the UConn and Pitt products as potential feature backs are Beanie Wells (Ohio St.) and Knowshon Moreno (Georgia), who are pretty much the consensus top two.

Before we get to Beanie the Buckeye, the NFL Draft Bible’s top two backs are a pair of Jersey Boys in Moreno and Brown. Moreno was a star for the Dawgs the past two seasons running the football, and no one in college football played with as much fire or energy. He has excellent vision and knows how to make people miss. Moreno lacks prototypical size and speed, but is such an instinctive runner. In addition, he had the second best 3-Cone time at the NFL Scouting Combine, displaying his ability to change directions and accelerate. Similarly, Brown may not possess eye-popping measurables, but the kid can play, as evidenced by his 2,000 yards in 2008 for the Huskies. Brown is a strong runner, who sees the field well with the necessary patience to allow holes to develop.

Wells is bigger and faster, but has question marks regarding his durability and desire. Does he have a passion the game? Is he willing to play hurt? Very few NFL running backs are 100 percent by the time crunch time rolls around. He has the most upside of any back and comes with great potential value, but is not as safe a pick as Moreno or Brown—Beanie could boom or bust.

Finally, we come to McCoy, who not everyone views as potential feature back. Don’t count former teammate linebacker Scott McKillop among the doubters.

“He helped me become a better linebacker this year,” McKillop said of McCoy. “I thought I was pretty fortunate to go out and practice against one of the top running backs in college football. I think he helped me become a better tackler this year than I was last. He’s a great kid, I’m pulling for him.”

McCoy, a red-shirt sophomore like Moreno, had only two years of college experience; he lacks ideal size and did not get the opportunity to strut his stuff at the Combine due to an injury. Nevertheless, one cannot ignore what he can do on the field. McCoy has good vision, great balance and even better elusiveness—he’ll make ya miss.

Who Are the Next Tier of Runners?

More than any other back at the Combine, Andre Brown (North Carolina St.) displayed his potential with 4.4-speed and an NFL frame at over 220 pounds.

“His potential is unlimited,” his former head coach Tom O’Brien said in a CFI interview. “We’ve only been here two years and actually he missed the last six games of our first year with an injury. He’s certainly made tremendous strides this year. He can play whether it’s first, second or third down—he can be that back. He has size and he has speed to take that pounding at the next level. So I think he would be a great addition to someone’s team.”

What will likely keep Brown from becoming a feature back is his lack of durability. Brown has struggled to stay on the field, which limited his production as a collegian. He possesses good vision, patience and can be a factor in the passing game.

Glenn Coffee also must overcome durability concerns. He doesn’t have standout skills, but is tough, physical runner who always seems to find a way to fall forward and pick up an extra yard or two. He possesses the ability to cut, change direction and not lose speed.

Who is the Best Between the Tackles?

Shonn Greene (Iowa) doesn’t offer much in terms of breakaway speed, elusiveness or explosiveness, but he is a downhill runner who maximizes the available yards in traffic—he pushes the pile. One has to love his consistency as well; no other back ran for 100 yards in each and every game this past season.

Another north-south runner is Gartrell Johnson (Colorado St.), who had a dominant bowl game and was very impressive at the East-West Shrine game. Originally viewed by some as fullback, it appears Johnson has solidified himself as a runner. However, he may very well be the slowest running back in this class and doesn’t have the type of elusiveness to make defenders miss in the open field, but he does possess very quick feet.

The best big back may very well be small school product Rashad Jennings (Liberty) who packs a punch at 231 pounds. In both the All-Star game process and the Combine Jennings proved he belonged among the Bowl Subdivision backs. He has good vision and can change directions very well for a big back. He surprised quite a few observers with his 3-Cone time of 6.86 (fourth at the Combine).

Are There Any Home Run Threats?

With only four backs running sub-4.5s at the Combine, there are not as many breakaway threats as NFL scouts would like. One reason for the poor Combine numbers was that the NFL did not see fit to invite little man Devin Moore (Wyoming) to Indianapolis. Moore shined at his own private workout in his hometown and teams looking for a breakaway threat should not underestimate this Wyoming product. He is elusive, possesses long speed, and is stronger than you might think.

Mike Goodson (Texas A&M) wasn’t as productive as expected when he arrived at College Station, but he could end being the big play back the Aggies expected at the NFL level. He is explosive, has good balance in the open field and the long speed to hit the home run.

Two backs that surprised a few people at the Combine with their straight-line speed were Cedric Peerman (Virginia) and Kory Sheets (Purdue). Peerman ran a 4.5 in Indianapolis and he possesses good vision, but isn’t necessarily at his best in the open field. Sheets ran a 4.47 and excels outside the tackles, with the wiggle to make people miss. The former Boilermaker is also quite willing to get physical with defensive backs and when he wins those confrontations, he is more than able to break free for a big run.

“I think he could help a team in a lot of ways,” says Purdue head coach Danny Hope. “He’s a good kick return man, he has legitimate speed, and good size, not great. But I’m not surprised he ran as fast as he did. I think he ran somewhere in the mid, low 4.4’s. He was an excellent sprinter in high school. He was a track man in high school and had documented track times. He was fortunate this season to get the bulk of the work at the running back spot. We had an injury to one of our top running backs, Jason Taylor. We relied a lot on Kory Sheets and he rose to the occasion and really did a great job. He rushed for over 1,200 yards and was a good receiver out of the backfield, but I think the fact that he played in the spread offense and knows how to catch the football will separate him from some other guys at his position. If he can prove himself to be a physical player, I think he can do very well in National Football League. He is very talented and I think he has the desire to do well.”

Rounding out this group is Marcus Thigpen (Indiana), who may or may not get drafted, but leaves little doubt in terms of his pure speed. The man with sub-4.4 speed also has the potential to be a special return man.

Who Are the Best of the Rest?

There are still some talented backs remaining, led by the 5’9 duo of Jeremiah Johnson (Oregon) and Jevon Ringer (Michigan St.). What hurts this pair is that in addition to lacking ideal size, neither brings top end speed to the table. Ringer is very quick though, with the ability to change direction. He has good vision, is very tough, and better between the tackles than one might assume. Johnson is a little more explosive and more elusive in the open field, a very dangerous runner once he can get outside the tackles. The former Duck also seems to be able to break off long runs, he’s rarely caught from behind.

We also can’t forget Ian Johnson (Boise St.), Bernard Scott (Abilene-Christian), Arian Foster (Tennessee), James Davis (Clemson) and Aaron Brown (TCU). Johnson really proved the doubters wrong with his speed, quickness and strength at the Combine. He improved his draft stock by a round or two. Scott will get drafted beneath his talent level because of character question marks, but the kid can play ball.

The two senior sinkers since the start of the season are Davis and Foster. The former Vol has superb hands, prototypical size, and he is very smooth runner. However, he has serious questions when it comes to his ability to stay on the field. Davis has enough size and speed to play at the next level, but has tight hips, durability issues and he was not much of factor in the Tigers’ passing attack when it came to blocking or receiving.

Brown never put up big numbers as a Horned Frog and also had trouble staying healthy, but he has very good vision and burst, with the hands and ability to run after the catch. He could certainly be a solid third-down back.

Who Are the Potential PFA Gems?

A pair of backs who are not physically imposing or going to make you double check your stop-watch, but possess the quick feet and ability to change direction are Tyrell Sutton (Northwestern) and Kahlil Bell (UCLA). Brad Lester (Auburn) did not receive an invitation to the Combine because he barely contributed as a senior and struggled his entire career at Auburn to stay on the field. If healthy, Lester could be a real find.

Which Fullbacks Could Get Draft?

Tony Fiammetta (Syracuse) is the odds-on favorite to be the first fullback off the board. He has good size and speed, is an above average blocker and can catch the ball out of the backfield. Other fullbacks who could hear their name called are Quinn Johnson (LSU), Brannan Southerland (Georgia), Conredge Collins (Pittsburgh) and Jason Cook (Mississippi St.). Cook has prototypical size, Johnson is an excellent lead blocker, injury issues hurt Southerland, while Collins is athletic, but undersized.

Who Are the Stars of Tomorrow?

The top senior back for 2009 will be C.J. Spiller (Clemson), who possesses breakaway speed and is a true weapon coming out of the backfield. Even though Davis is gone, Spiller figures to share some carries. LeGarrette Blount (Oregon) and Charles Scott (LSU) are bruising backs that tip the scales at over 230 pounds. Stafon Johnson (USC) is an intriguing talent, but has never had the opportunity to get consistent carries as a Trojan.

Junior Jonathan Dwyer (Georgia Tech) is a powerful runner, with Jahvid Best (California) and Noel Devine (West Virginia) true game-breakers for the Class of 2011. The players with the most potential remain DeMarco Murray (Oklahoma) and Joe McKnight (USC), with the red-shirt junior out of Norman the more proven talent. Also out of the Big XII, Kendall Hunter (Oklahoma St.) is a sleeper who has been very productive.

Photo Credit: College Press Box (Michigan St., Pittsburgh, NC State), SEC Sports Media, University of Wyoming Photo Service

Pro Day Rewind: A Look At Who's Doing What

Monday
Wake Forest: The biggest draws here were of course top linebacker pick, Aaron Curry, and cornerback prospect, Alphonso Smith. Both players stood on their numbers from the Combine but what the 41 scouts, coaches, and various personnel representing all 32 teams wanted to see was position drills. They were not disappointed.
• Reports state that Curry started his drills slowly, but once he got going he showed the athleticism and skills that have analysts slotting him as a top three pick. One of the biggest draws for Curry is his game to game consistency, his ability to play at a high level every down, every week. You can’t see that in a Combine or Pro Day—it’s only on film. But seeing the athleticism and ability on the ground, up close, only confirmed the skills we saw on film.
• Smith looked rock solid in his defensive drills, continuing to show the skills everyone expects from him when he gets on the field. The biggest questions for Smith involve his height (5’9”) and what it might mean against taller wide receivers. Smith had offered to do special teams drills, but was not asked to do any at the workout. Still, I always like to see that willingness in a player, it shows hunger and a willingness to do whatever it takes to get on the team.

Iowa: Twenty-nine teams were present at the Hawkeyes’ workout. They watched running back Shonn Greene run a 4.59 on his first 40 on an indoor track. That’s better than his Combine time by .06 of a second and could have a positive effect on his draft stock. He also increased his bench press by four reps, to 23. While many athletes have been increasing their numbers from the Combine, it certainly will help Greene that he took such a large stride forward. While scouts were also impressed with his positional workout, Greene isn’t resting on his laurels. He told one reporter that he looks at the guys ranked ahead of him and still feels he’s the top back in the Draft. His desire to prove himself showed in his drills and will serve him well in the NFL.

Rutgers: For many prospects, a Pro Day might be their one time to shine, their shot to show teams (including Bears OC Ron Turner) what they could do. For wide receiver Kenny Britt, it was just another stop on the world tour. Britt has already worked out for the Dolphins and has scheduled workouts for five other teams. Still, he didn’t lose focus, running the 40-yard dash with times of 4.47 and 4.48 as well as running positional drills. Britt, who could go anywhere between the second and third rounds, looked good in both aspects of his workout and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him in any number of uniforms this coming summer.
• Others who stood out: WR Tiquan Underwood, who ran a 4.36 and a 4.40 in the 40, a 4.16 in the shuttle and worked position drills. S Courtney Greene stood on most of his Combine numbers save his broad jump, which he recorded a 9’11” in, as well as running position drills.

Tuesday
Clemson: Twenty-five scouts attended Clemson’s workout on Tuesday and one of the focal points was defensive tackle Dorrell Scott. Scott is tracking at about a third round pick and while he stood on most of his Combine numbers, he didn’t do anything to hurt–or really improve–his stock. Another player who isn’t being talked about all that much is quarterback Cullen Harper. Harper, coming off a shoulder injury, threw efficiently and accurately in his position workouts and it probably helped him regain some of the ground he lost due to the lackluster season the Tigers had in 2008. After a great junior year, Harper’s stats and production declined, but he showed on Tuesday he could still sling a ball to different players running a ton of different routes. And finally, with no Combine invite, defensive tackle Rashaad Jackson hadn’t had a chance to show scouts anything and is battling back from an injury that took him out for the early part of his 2008 season. While Jackson is unlikely to be a draft day pick, he played well prior to his injury and looked good enough on Pro Day to garner interest as a street free agent.

Hofstra: A total of 18 teams were represented at Hofstra, where players from multiple schools worked out for scouts. The most impressive players were actually athletes from Monmouth (NJ), Maine, and Stony Brook. Monmouth tight end John Nalbone (who then worked out a few days later at Monmouth State’s own Pro Day) ran a 4.75 and a 4.81 40, a 4.22 shuttle, 6.97 three cone, jumped a 9’3” broad jump and lifted 22 in the bench press. He increased all these numbers at Monmouth’s Pro Day. Maine defensive end Jovan Belcher had a 30” vert, a 9’ broad jump and ran a 4.88 and a 4.90 40. Also, James Harris, a defensive end from Stony Brook, ran 5.15 and 519 in the 40, a 4.72 shuttle and a 8.33 three cone.

Wednesday
UCONN: Twenty-one teams sent representatives to see the Huskies' workout, including Patriots coach Bill Belichick and Chargers GM A. J. Smith. Even super-agent Drew Rosenhaus was present, eying up potential clients. Of course, the biggest player of interest was running back Donald Brown. While Brown stayed with most of his numbers from the Combine, he looked lights out in his position drills, doing everything well and looking exceptional while catching the ball. Many teams have expressed interest in Brown and he certainly did nothing to dissuade them on Wednesday.
• Cornerback Darius Butler also put on quite a display by running a 4.38 in the 40, then going out and crushing his position drills. NFL Network’s Mike Mayock was quoted as saying Butler is now in the conversation to be among the top corners in the Draft along with guys like Malcolm Jenkins and Vontae Davis. Mayock also said that Butler looked fluid and very quick in his change of direction drills.
• The biggest story to come out of UCONN’s Pro Day was quarterback Tyler Lorenzen, though not in terms of his quarterback potential. Lorenzen worked out as both a wide receiver and a defensive back. Coach Belichick specifically requested that Lorenzen work out as a safety and paid very close attention to the drills once they began. Lorenzen threw for several teams as well, including the Bengals, Chargers, Seahawks and again, the Patriots. But a lot more teams watched him work out as a defensive back and a receiver. Lorenzen might find himself a roster spot somewhere on the strength of his willingness to change positions and do more than one thing, as well as his overall athleticism.

Texas: As expected, defensive end Brian Orakpo knocked it out of the park on Wednesday. Over 50 members of various teams were present, including Miami defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni, Bengals tight ends coach Jonathan Hayes, and Packers GM Ted Thompson. Orakpo started the day with workout drills, posting a 10’10” broad jump, a 4.45 shuttle and a 7.26 three-cone (he kept the rest of his numbers from the Combine). Orakpo then schooled his positional drills, likely securing a high slot (possibly top ten) in April’s Draft.
• Receiver Quan Cosby also had an outstanding day, dropping his shuttle time down to a 4.2. He also put on a solid display in positional drills, flashing good hands and speed in his workout. Cosby jumped a 34 ½ inch vertical, ran a 4.34 shuttle and lifted the 225 pound bar 28 times. Overall, Cosby had a great day and certainly helped himself quite a bit.
• A few others of note were G Cedric Dockery (who ran a 5.40 in the 40-yard dash before he pulled his hamstring, but still finished the day with a 4.97 shuttle after jumping a 28 vert and a 8’4” broad jump), DB Ryan Palmer (who ran a 4.62 and a 4.58 in the 40, a 4.20 shuttle, a 7.00 three cone and posted a 10’4” broad jump) and DE Henry Melton (4.64/4.66 40, 34 ½ vert, 10’1” broad jump).
• As one might expect in Texas, the day ended with a big BBQ meal—the sort of thing that must make this one of the favorite stops on the tour.

Thursday
Louisville: Twenty representatives of NFL teams came out to see the Louisville athletes put on a display. Quarterback Hunter Cantwell, wide receiver Chris Vaughn, cornerback Woodny Turenne and center Eric Wood were among those who participated. Vaughn (4.35) and Turenne (4.46) had the swiftest 40 times on the day, while Cantwell threw the ball very well in position drills. Wood has been high on many people’s list of the top centers and continued to impress the scouts in his position drills. Overall, the day went well and all of the players performed admirably.

Mississippi: All 32 NFL teams were represented by 65 coaches and staff as offensive tackle Michael Oher improved his 40 time to 5.24 and 5.16, jumped 31” in the vertical and lifted 23 reps on the bench press. He also knocked scouts out with his position drills, showing very good footwork and outstanding athleticism, among other skills.
• While Oher was the main attraction, others stood out at the Ole Miss workout. Fullback Jason Cook ran a 4.72 and a 4.71 in the 40, a 4.38 shuttle, a 7.20 three cone, benched 225 a total of 22 times and then added a 33 ½ vert as well as running positional drills. Defensive tackle Peria Jerry continued to make his case to be the #2 DT prospect behind B. J. Raji, with a 4.98-40, a 4.64 shuttle, a 7.30 three-cone, a 31” vertical, and a 9’6” broad jump. Jerry also looked good in his positional drills.

Friday
Houston: Twelve players worked out for 17 teams. One player who gained some notice was offensive lineman Sebastian Vollmer, who grew up in Germany. Vollmer missed the 2006 season with a back injury but is very athletic and could very well go late on the second day and still contribute very quickly. Vollmer had 5.13 and 5.16 in the 40, jumped a 36 ½ inch vert, and a 9’3” broad jump and benched 32 reps. He also had a 4.50 short shuttle and a 7.51 three cone. Two other players worth noting were defensive end Phillip Hunt (4.75/4.76 40, good positional drills) and offensive lineman SirVincent Rogers (4.75 shuttle and 7.39 three cone).

Northern Illinois: Defensive end/linebacker Larry English was the one to watch here, running a 4.70 and a 4.74 40 while working out as a defensive end and showing he can drop back into coverage. Among those watching were Panthers GM Marty Hurney and director of player personnel for the 49ers, Trent Baalke.

Other players of note:
On Saturday, Washington State wide receiver Brandon Gibson held a private workout in front of 15 NFL teams including Chargers senior executive Randy Mueller and 49ers director of player personnel Trent Baalke. Gibson, who was unable to run at either the Combine or Washington State’s Pro Day, worked out in less-than-ideal weather including wind and slight rain. Despite that, Gibson ran his 40 three times, scoring a 4.63 against the wind and a 4.58 and a 4.60 with it. He had a 34” vert, jumped a 9’5” broad jump, ran a 4.54 in the shuttle and a 6.94 in the three cone. He also did position drills, catching balls thrown by Jeff Rowe, a former quarterback who has been with the Bengals and Seahawks.

We enter the last week of Pro Days with one of the bigger days still to come. While UCLA, Hawaii, Mississippi State and Kent State still have days coming, all eyes will be focused on Los Angeles and the University of Southern California. Among the closely-watched prospects will be the linebacking trio of Clay Matthews, Rey Maualuga, and Brian Cushing, wide receiver Patrick Turner, defensive tackle Fili Moala as well as the less-talked about linebacker, Kevin Ellison. And, oh yeah, some quarterback prospect named Mark Sanchez.

Not only will we review this Pro Day and the others, but I will be down on the ground at USC’s Pro Day on Wednesday giving a firsthand account of how everyone is faring throughout the day.

Check in with NFLDraftbible.com all day long—we’ll make sure you’re kept up to date on the latest and greatest at USC, as well as all the rest of the action every week on the Pro Day Rewind.

Photo Credit: College Press Box (Louisville, Houston, Clemson, Wake Forest), Steve Slade (UConn Division of Athletics)

Diamonds Are Forever

Every year there are the “steals of the draft” or “diamonds in the rough” and this year will be no different. Here is a group of potential diamonds for the upcoming draft. Although they have already proved themselves on the field, they could be a steal depending on where they fall in the draft.

First on the list is Hakeem Nicks, the wide receiver out of North Carolina. Nicks has great hands and showed it at the combine. In the Meineke Car Care Bowl he displayed his skills in a losing effort, making a behind-the-back catch without breaking stride. He won’t be the fastest guy on the field, but he definitely makes up for it by making big plays in clutch situations. His physicality is almost unmatched by any of the other receivers in the draft—with his 6’1” 215 lb frame, he can do some damage to opposing secondaries while never shying away from hits. If a team can nab this former Tar Heel in the second round, they shouldn’t hesitate to pounce.

Next is the extremely versatile Pat White, the quarterback from West Virginia. He probably won’t be a full-time quarterback at the next level. He's very similar to Kordell Stewart, only smaller, and would be able to play at the slot position, return punts, and of course, be a back-up/gimmick quarterback. With the “wildcat” being all the rage this last season, look for White to be utilized heavily in the formation. He had the fastest 40 time at the combine for the quarterbacks group, and will definitely need to use all of that speed at the next level. It should be interesting to see how the team that drafts him will utilize his talent, because he is a talent.

Running back Shonn Greene from Iowa should do very well at the next level. He is a solid 235 lbs. and stands 5’11”. He had 307 rushing attempts in 2008 and averaged 6.1 yards per carry, which is outstanding, especially while playing in the Big Ten conference. His downfall is his speed, which is in the mid 4.5 range, but he makes up for it with his physicality. He likes to initiate contact and is great at lowering his shoulders and driving with his legs. If a team is looking for a hard, downhill runner they need to look no further than Greene. A team that already has a breakaway threat would be wise to plug Greene in as a power runner as part of a one-two punch.

If a team is looking for a playmaker in the secondary, then they may want to take a look at cornerback Mike Mickens out of Cincinnati. He is 6’0” 190 lbs and uses every inch while defending taller receivers. In his career he has accumulated 14 interceptions, three of them going for touchdowns. His team missed him dearly in the FedEx Orange Bowl loss to Virginia Tech and even though he missed four games due to injury, he still had nine passes defended along with four interceptions in 2008. His stock fell as he missed the NFL Scouting Combine because of a knee injury, but he has a chance to redeem himself at his Pro Day on the 19th of March.

Sam Bradford’s favorite target, Juaquin Iglesias, will be a steal for a team that can grab him in the second or third round of the draft. He is 6’0” 204 lbs. but plays much bigger. He has outstanding playmaking ability, great hands, and is an exceptional route runner. With his 40 time only being in the mid 4.5 range, he has learned to gain separation from cornerbacks with crisp cuts and precise route running. He amassed 74 receptions on an Oklahoma team that loved to spread the ball around and when you have a Heisman Trophy winning quarterback throwing you the ball with confidence, what more do you need?

In a two running back system, Jeremiah Johnson was still able to flourish. Even though he only had 168 rushing attempts, he still was able to crack 1,200 yards rushing on the season with a 7.1 yards per carry average. He only ran a 4.62 40 at the combine, but showed quickness and reliable hands out of the backfield. He should be considered a Brian Westbrook type of player—quick, with the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and make defenders miss. He would be a great pickup for a team that lacks a pass-catching running back.

As the 2009 NFL draft approaches and trades are being made, teams are looking for needs to be filled. These players are just a few of many that could become steals in the '09 draft. Only time will tell where these players end up and what type of impact they will have for their teams in the upcoming season.

Photo Credit: College Press Box (UNC, Iowa), OU Athletics Department

Outback Bowl: Iowa vs. South Carolina

By J.J. PESAVENTO

JANUARY 1, 2009 * 11:00 A.M. * ESPN

Iowa and South Carolina took different paths to the Outback Bowl after missing the post-season a year ago. South Carolina was an impressive 7-3 before they dropped their final two games while Iowa was a mediocre 3-3 before winning five of their last six games.

When the Hawkeyes have the ball

Don't expect anything flashy from the Iowa offense, just a heavy dose of the running game. Running back Shonn Greene took home several honors, including the Doak Walker Award, after rushing for over 100 yards in all 12 games this season. Greene is a physical runner with deceptive speed and the Gamecocks will undoubtedly key on him by loading up in the box. However, they will be without leading tackler safety Emmanuel Cook, who has been declared academically ineligible for the game. That will put added pressure on spur-backer Darian Stewart, who will move into the strong safety position, as well as Dion LeCom, who will take over for Stewart at Spur. When Iowa does pass, Ricky Stanzi will target wide receivers Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, Andy Brodell or tight end Brandon Myers. Iowa will roll Stanzi out a lot since he is more comfortable on the move. Considering South Carolina ranks third in the nation vs. the pass, that may be the best way to protect him from linebacker Eric Norwood, who tied for the SEC lead in sacks this season with nine.

When the Gamecocks have the Ball

The Gamecocks are the exact opposite of the Hawkeyes as their offense relies heavily on the passing attack. Stephen Garcia will get the start over Chris Smelley at quarterback. Garica has seen action in seven games, throwing for 753 yards with six touchdowns and five picks. He's also contributed on the ground with two rushing touchdowns. His primary targets will be Ken McKinley and Jared Cook. Cook is a tight end with wide receiver talent who will be a challenge for the Iowa defense in coverage. South Carolina will have to stop an Iowa defense led by All-American tackle Mitch King. Garcia will have to beware of linebacker Pat Angerer and defensive back Amari Spievey, both of whom were among the conference leaders in picks. When they do run, Mike Davis will get the call but he will be running up against a defense that ranks 10th in the nation against the run. Led by King, the front seven--including Matt Kroul, Adrian Clayborn and Angerer--are almost impossible to run on.

Analysis

Iowa lives and dies by the running game and with Emmanuel Cook out for the Gamecocks, the Hawkeyes may have even more success than originally expected. Look for them to pound the ball with Greene and be fairly conservative in the passing game. The games they lost during the regular season were due mainly to costly turnovers by Stanzi. South Carolina will have no success running the ball and they give up an alarming amount of sacks. They also had 33 giveaways in 2008, worst in the SEC. Against an aggressive Iowa front; they will have to find a way to protect Garcia and the ball if they plan on winning. Iowa has the edge on offense and the Gamecocks do not have the firepower to dent the Iowa defense. Iowa comes in the hotter team and gets the win.

Prediction: Iowa 27, South Carolina 17

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

Iowa Hawkeyes
Pass--Ricky Stanzi (1,809 yards, 13 TDs)
Run--Shonn Greene (1,729 yards, 17 TDs)
Catch--Derrell Johnson-Koulianos (43-621 yards, 3 TDs)

South Carolina Gamecocks
Pass--Chris Smelley (1,743 yards, 13 TDs)
Run--Mike Davis (571 yards, 3 TDs)
Catch--Kenny McKinley (48-556 yards, 4 TDs)

Photo Credit: SEC Sports Media, College Press Box (Iowa University)

Heisman - The Best of the Rest

Texas Tech teammates quarterback Graham Harrell and wide receiver Michael Crabtree – pass or catch 2008 – finished fourth and fifth in the voting. There is little doubt Harrell should have been extended an invitation to the selection show – a belief most agreed with at the presentation – and received more respect from voters – his 213 points were 1,391 points less than Colt McCoy. Didn’t Harrell beat McCoy head-to-head with the best “Heisman moment” to boot?

Heck, Crabtree should have been invited as well. The Heisman should go back to the days of inviting five players to the City that never sleeps. If not Crabtree, why not bring Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year Shonn Greene of Iowa or the lone defensive player in the top ten USC’s Rey Maualuga? Although, it says here Aaron Curry was the nation’s best defensive player and may have warranted an invite. Rounding out the top ten were WVU quarterback Pat White (snubbed last year), signal caller Nate Davis of Ball St. (whom many consider a better pro prospect than either Tim Tebow or McCoy) and Michigan St.’s senior running back Javon Ringer.

Photo Credit: College Press Box (Texas Tech University)

2008 Home Depot College Football Award Winners

The 2008 Home Depot College Football Awards were handed out tonight in Orlando, FL. The college football season is coming to an end and it's time to find out who is the best of the best. From the Bednarik Award, given to the nation's best defensive player, to the Davey O'Brien Award, given to the nation's best quarterback, we have it covered.

Bednarik Award Winner - Rey Maualuga (1st player from the Pac-10 to win this award)
(Outstanding Defensive Player)

The winner of this award will be in good company -- Dan Connor (2007), Paul Posluszny (2006 and 2005), David Pollack (2004), Teddy Lehman (2003), EJ Henderson (2002), Julius Peppers (2001), Dan Morgan (2000).

Award Finalists
James Laurinaitis, Ohio State, LB: 121 tackles, 4 sacks, 2 INT.
Rey Maualuga, USC, LB: 68 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 2 INT.
Aaron Maybin, Penn State, DE: 45 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 12 sacks.

Biletnikoff Award Winner - Michael Crabtree (2 years in a row)
(Wide Receiver)

The Biletnikoff trophy weighs 56 pounds, has won several national awards for design excellence, and is the largest of all the college football position awards. Previous winners include Michael Crabtree (2007), Calvin Johnson (2006), Mike Hass (2005), Braylon Edwards (2004), Larry Fitzgerald (2003) and Charles Rogers (2002).

Award Finalists
Dez Bryant, Oklahoma State: 74 REC, 1,313 YDS, 18 TD.
Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech: 93 REC, 1,135 YDS, 18 TD.
Jeremy Maclin, Missouri: 88 REC, 1,175 YDS, 11 TD.

Lou Groza Award Winner - Graham Gano
(Kicker)

The Lou Groza Award is named for NFL Hall-of-Fame kicker Lou "The Toe" Groza, who played 21 seasons with the Cleveland Browns. Groza won four NFL championships with Cleveland and was named NFL Player of the Year in 1954. He is regarded as the first kicker to be truly considered an offensive weapon. In 2007 the award was won by Thomas Weber of Arizona State.

Award Finalists
Josh Arauco, Arkansas State: 89.5 FG%, long of 44 YDS, 87 PTS.
Graham Gano, Florida State: 92.3 FG%, 5-7 from 50+, long of 53 YDS.
Louie Sakoda, Utah: 91.3 FG%, 2-3 from 50+, long of 53 YDS.

Ray Guy Award Winner - Matt Fodge
(Punter)

Candidates for the Ray Guy Award are evaluated on their overall statistics and contribution to their team with emphasis placed on the following categories: net average, percentage of total punts inside the 20, average return yardage and percentage not returned. In 2007 Durant Brooks of Georgia Tech won the award.

Award Finalists
Matt Fodge, Oklahoma State: 31 punts for 1,366 YDS. Average: 44.1. Long 71.
Pat McAfee, West Virginia: 55 punts for 2,457 YDS. Average: 44.7. Long: 65.
Louie Sakoda, Utah: 50 punts for 2,086 YDS. Average. 41.7. Long: 81.

Maxwell Award Winner - Tim Tebow (first 2-time winner since 1953)
(Outstanding Player)

The Maxwell Award is given to the most outstanding player in college football. The following candidates led their respective teams through their astonishing play on the field and their leadership. The 2007 recipient of the Maxwell Award was Florida quarterback Tim Tebow.

Award Finalists
Graham Harrell, Texas Tech, QB: 115.4 RAT, 4,747 YDS, 41 TD, 7 INT.
Colt McCoy, Texas, QB: 125.6 RAT, 77.6 CMP%, 32 TD, 7 INT.
Tim Tebow, Florida, QB: 125.7 RAT, 65.0 CMP%, 25 TD, 2 INT.

Davey O'Brien Award Winner - Sam Bradford
(Quarterback)

The Davey O'Brien Award is named after the All-American football player at Texas Christian University who was named to thirteen All-American teams and became the only college football player to win the Heisman, Maxwell, and Walter Camp trophies in the same year. The 2007 recipient of the Davey O'Brien Award was Florida quarterback Tim Tebow.

Award Finalists
Sam Bradford, Oklahoma: 134.8 RAT, 4,080 YDS, 46 TD, 6 INT.
Graham Harrell, Texas Tech, QB: 115.4 RAT, 4,747 YDS, 41 TD, 7 INT.
Colt McCoy, Texas, QB: 125.6 RAT, 77.6 CMP%, 32 TD, 7 INT.

Outland Trophy - Andre Smith
(Interior Lineman)

The 2007 recipient of the Outland Trophy was defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey of LSU. This award is available to either offensive or defensive lineman, you just have to be the best in the trenches to win it.

Award Finalists
Michael Oher, Mississippi: Running backs averaged 4.6 YDS per carry.
Duke Robinson, Oklahoma: Offense ranked third in the nation.
Andre Smith, Alabama: Given up only one sack all season.

Jim Thorpe Award - Malcolm Jenkins
(Defensive Back)

The Thorpe Award has been presented since 1986, based on performance on the field, athletic ability and character. Recent winners include Antoine Cason of Arizona (2007), Aaron Ross of Texas (2006), Michael Huff of Texas (2005), Carlos Rogers of Auburn (2004), Derrick Strait of Oklahoma (2003), Terence Newman of Kansas State (2002) and Roy Williams of Oklahoma (2001).

Award Finalists
Eric Berry, Tennessee, SS: Leads the nation with 7 INT, two returned for TD, 3 sacks.
Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State, CB: 3 INT, 3 forced fumbles and 2 blocked kicks.
Taylor Mays, USC, S: 48 tackles, 7 pass breakups, for USC's No. 1 ranked defense.

Doak Walker Award Winner - Shonn Greene
(Running Back)

The Doak Walker Award is the only major collegiate football award that requires all candidates to be in good academic standing and on schedule to graduate within one year of other students of the same classification. It recognizes the nation's premier running back for his accomplishments on the field, achievement in the classroom and citizenship in the community. The 2007 recipient of the Doak Walker Award was Darren McFadden of Arkansas.

Award Finalists
Shonn Greene, Iowa: 1,729 rush YDS, 17 TD. Long: 75 YDS.
Knowshon Moreno, Georgia: 1,338 rush YDS, 16 TD. Long: 68 YDS.
Javon Ringer, Michigan State: 1,590 rush YDS, 21 TD. Long: 64 YDS
Other Award Winners:

Walter Camp Award (Player of the Year): Colt McCoy, QB, Texas

Dick Butkus Award (Nation's Best Linebacker): Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest

Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (Nation's Best Sr. Quarterback): Graham Harrell, QB, Texas Tech

Home Depot Coach of the Year Award: Nick Saban, Alabama

Bronco Nagurski Award (Defensive player of the Year): Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas

Vince Lombardi/Rotary Award (Outstanding Lineman): Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas

Ted Hendricks Award (Defensive End of the Year): Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas

Rimington Award (Most Outstanding Center): A.Q. Shipley, C, Penn State

John Mackey Award (Most Outstanding Tight End): Chase Coffman, TE, Missouri

Frank Broyles Award (Top Assistant Coach): Kevin Wilson, Oklahoma

Disney Spirit Award (Most Inspirational Player or Team): Tim Tebow, QB, Florida

Contributions to College Football Award: Bobby Bowden, Florida State

Photo Credit: College Press Box (Ohio St., Florida)

Best Video Game Performance

By JOHN SEARS - BIG TEN INSIDER

Performances that can only be believed if they were played out on a controller with too many buttons:

5. Terrelle Pryor scrambling, against Northwestern: It’s interesting how comparisons between college football players and video games have hit the mainstream media (see Kirk Herbstreit on various occasions). But sometimes it’s fitting when superior athletes such as Terrelle Pryor make the improbable look routine just by hitting their mental circle button to spin out of a tackle, right joystick right juke, now back, R2 to sprint left, right joystick juke again, now connect on a touchdown strike -- 45-10 over 9-3 Northwestern.

4. Mike Kafka rushing, against Minnesota: Here’s another video game classic – you knock out the star starting quarterback (in this instance C.J. Bacher) and the back-up (Mike Kafka) comes in and starts moving the ball downfield like he’s Joe Montana in Super Bowl XXIII. In this instance, nobody but the Northwestern defensive practice squad saw Kafka’s Big Ten quarterback rushing record of 214 yards coming.

3. Juice Williams doing everything, against Michigan: How about when the computer walks into one of the stadiums you have built as one of the “toughest places to play” (Michigan Stadium) and the opposing quarterback simply breaks the stadium record for total yards? Williams cashed in with 431 (310 passing, 121 rushing) to be exact and ran up the score with two scores rushing and two passing. Not bad for a road game in a “tough place to play”.

2. Wisconsin rushing, against Indiana: Another video game classic – where you are expected to put up monstrous numbers, like 400 yards offense against the computer, and somehow it just doesn’t work out. But for the Badgers it did – Hill, Clay and Gilreath combine for 406 yards rushing and six touchdowns.

1. Iowa, against Penn State: The “There’s no way in hell you are beating the computer” game where everything goes wrong (I certainly acknowledge Bill Simmons for describing this circumstance in his past columns). Severe winds so your offense can’t move the ball in the air, the computer’s (Iowa’s) defense making all the right calls at the right times, making big play after big play, then taking away the ball late in the fourth quarter with an interception and capping it all off with a suddenly unstoppable offense that finds just enough room to get in field goal range and kick the winning field goal with almost no time left. Where’s the *bleeping* reset button?!

Tomorrow: Best One-Two Punches

Photo Credit: College Press Box (Iowa)

Big Ten - Best Single-Game Performances

By JOHN SEARS - BIG TEN INSIDER

6. Eric Decker (Minnesota) against Indiana: 13 receptions and 190 yards, both conference season highs. (For Michigan and Illinois: lucky we are excluding non-Big Ten opponents for best receiving performances).

5. K.C. Lopata (Michigan) against Minnesota: five field goals and two PATs gave the Michigan man 17 points single-handedly. Minnesota finished with one-third (6) of the total output by Lopata in a lopsided victory for Michigan (?!) for the Little Brown Jug. Did that really happen?

4. Juice Williams (Illinois) against Michigan: Williams single-handedly brought down the [Big] House with a stadium record of 431 total yards of total offense and four touchdowns, only to be out-done next week by…

3. Juice Williams (Illinois) against Minnesota: This time, Williams accounted for a whopping 503 yards of offense (conference high)--462 passing (also conference high) and 41 rushing. That’s 924 yards and six touchdowns in two weeks. Unfortunately, these great numbers came in a losing effort.

2. Shonn Greene (Iowa) against Wisconsin: 217 yards and four touchdowns in by far and away his best performance of an already celebrated, accomplished season. He accumulated at least 100 yards rushing in every game, and finished with a second-best 17 touchdowns.

1. Daryll Clark (Penn State) against Michigan State: When all the Big Ten marbles and a ticket to Pasadena were at stake, Clark achieved personal season bests for yards/attempt (13.1), rating (222.5), yards (341) and touchdowns (five).

Tomorrow: Best Video Game Performance (Performances that can only be believed if they were played out on a controller with too many buttons)

Photo Credit: Illinois Sports Information

Heisman Watch

The round robin between Graham Harrell, Colt McCoy and Sam Bradford is finally complete, but are we any closer to finding a winner, with closing time upon us? Like separating their respective teams, differentiating the three quarterbacks requires a yoda-esque wisdom. Bradford leads the Big 12 in touchdown passes with 42 and pass efficiency (193.8), Harrell leads in yards with 4,438, while McCoy is completing a record setting 77.2 percent of his passes.

Sam Bradford led the Sooners to a 65-21 thrashing of the Red Raiders, completing 14-of-19 passes for 304 yards and four touchdowns. It was the Oklahoma City native’s third straight game with at least four touchdowns and more than 300 yards, earning him Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week honors. Bradford was brilliant, displaying his accuracy, soft touch, powerful arm and deep touch – making him the most complete passer in the nation. The only thing lacking in his resume is a “Heisman moment”.

AHEAD: at Oklahoma St. (Nov. 29). Bradford gets the national stage once again this week when the Sooners make the trip to Stillwater. Not only can he help vault Oklahoma into the Big 12 Championship game, the sophomore signal caller can take a step closer to adding a special piece of hardware to his mantel.

Colt McCoy, who has completed over 70 percent of his passes in nine of eleven games this season, was off last week. Harrell came back to him in the Heisman race, but Bradford may have passed the Texas quarterback in the eyes of many voters. Like the fate of his ‘Horns, McCoy is at the mercy of others…a potential Big 12 Championship game appearance could change all that.

AHEAD: vs. Texas A & M (Nov. 28). While you’re going for seconds (or thirds) on Thanksgiving night, McCoy will look to put his best foot forward against the ‘Horns’ in-state rival. Texas will do their best to put on a show, but how much will voters be impressed by an onslaught of the lowly Aggies?

Graham Harrell threw for 361 yards and three touchdowns in Norman, but most of the numbers were put up after the game was over. Harrell struggled when the game was on the line, the first time he was faced with consistent defensive pressure this season.

AHEAD: vs. Baylor (Nov. 29). There is not much Harrell can do this week to impress voters.

Michael Crabtree does not have a legitimate chance at the prize, but could very well be the best player in the country. His touchdown streak was halted in Norman, the first time the sophomore was kept out of the end zone all season.

AHEAD: vs. Baylor (Nov. 29). With 18 scores, Crabtree needs two more to reach the hallowed 20 touchdown mark.

Shonn Greene set the Iowa record for rushing yards in a season with his 144-yard performance, upping his season total to 1,729 yards. The powerful runner has run for over 100 yards in all 12 games this season and crossed the goal line 17 times.

AHEAD: Regular season complete.

Heisman Watch Prediction
1. Graham Harrell
2. Sam Bradford
3. Colt McCoy
4. Michael Crabtree
5. Shonn Greene
6. Tim Tebow

Photo Credit: OU Athletics Department

Big Ten Preview - I Want Candy!

By JOHN SEARS - BIG TEN INSIDER

Halloween is this Friday. How does each game measure up to your favorite holiday treats you find in your bag after a night of trick-or-treating?

Northwestern at Minnesota: (Midnight MilkyWay – didn’t know what it was at first, but was pleasantly surprised at the new dark chocolate combination) If Northwestern didn’t turn the game over last week to Indiana, I would have played this up as a very intriguing under-card in the Big Ten. Perhaps one surprise is that the Gophers (3-1) and Wildcats (2-2) are already bowl eligible, looking for more. The home team comes off of an impressive win over Purdue where they caused four turnovers and shut down the Boilermaker offense (226 total yards).

Key Match-ups:
Northwestern quarterback C.J. Bacher vs. Minnesota secondary – time and again, it seems that Bacher is making poor decisions with the ball, which should come as no surprise to Northwestern historians – Bacher has never thrown more touchdowns than interceptions (6 vs. 8, 19 vs. 19, 10 vs. 11) from 2006 to present. This is a more pressing issue against the Gophers who lead the nation in takeaways (24 total, 12 interceptions – tied for tops in the conference). If Northwestern giveth, Minnesota will taketh away.

Minnesota’s hog mollies vs. Northwestern’s big uglies – sacks are great momentum and field position equalizers. Northwestern is giving up the fewest sacks (7) while racking up the most sacks (24) in the Big Ten. The Gophers have gotten to the quarterback as well (22), but have allowed quarterback Weber to eat dirt 17 times, second worst in the Big Ten. Who will get to the quarterback more this week?

Because both teams are comparable in scoring offense [Minnesota vs. Northwestern] (28 points per game vs. 27), red zone offense (89% vs. 87% efficiency) and total offense (356 yards per game vs. 378), this game may come down to who gets to the opponent’s red zone more. This will depend on the battle of field position, which in turn depends on turnovers and sacks. The winner of the turnovers + sacks statistic will win the game, and I think Minnesota has this equation down.

PREDICTION: Minnesota 21, Northwestern 17

Wisconsin at Michigan State: (a large, plump, juicy candied apple with a large plump juicy worm crawling out – salivating until the disappointing finding) Wisconsin finally snapped their Big Ten losing streak (4) with a surprising win over Illinois last week. The Badgers seem to have settled in offensively at quarterback with Dustin Sherer, but took a big hit with tight-end Travis Beckum’s season ending broken leg. Garrett Graham has shown flashes that he can fill Beckum’s shoes to an extent, which complements Wisconsin’s strategy of using the power running game to set up the pass to the tight end. On the Spartan side, I am concerned that so much weight was placed on beating Michigan. After succeeding in that task, will they now flop against the Badgers in a disappointing letdown?

Running back Javon Ringer shows up against Wisconsin, but the rest of the team is still left on route I-96 staring at some billboards: (http://tedfox.dotphoto.com/CPViewAlbum.asp?AID=5589758)
PREDICTION: Wisconsin 31, Michigan State 28

Iowa at Illinois: (Jelly Belly mixed bag: sizzling cinnamon + buttered popcorn + grape jelly can’t be good, but somehow it is). You love to see match-ups that pit both teams’ best squads on the field simultaneously. In this instance, Illinois’ offense against Iowa’s defense will be your Jelly Belly nutty combination. The Illini are second in the conference in scoring (34 points/game), whereas Iowa is tied for first in scoring defense surrendering just 11 points per contest. Illinois is tops in passing offense (272 yards/game) against the Hawkeyes third best pass defense (192 yards/game). Illinois brings the third best rushing offense (190 yards/game), Iowa has the third best rush defense (106 yards/game).

In the other hand of Jelly Bellys, Iowa brings almost 200 yards per game rushing with Shonn Greene against Illinois’ eighth ranked rush defense (152 yards/game), which will be the difference.

PREDICTION: Iowa 24, Illinois 20

Michigan at Purdue: (a king size Snickers bar…but the wrapper is open, so you don’t know if there’s a razor blade slipped in–normally a satisfying find, now a health hazard). The only time head coaches Rich Rodriguez and Joe Tiller get to settle the “Snake Oil Bowl” will be this year. Don’t confuse good defense with offensive sludge in this one – Purdue is eleventh (395 yards/game) and Michigan ninth (378 yards/game) in total defense and they are tied for last (-9) in turnover margin in the Big Ten. Toss in a Michigan quarterback who can’t feel from his elbow down (Steve Threet) and Purdue quarterback who is still listed on their roster as a running back (Justin Siller). On the flip side, if there’s any kind of fight left in the tank for either team, they should remember that bowl eligibility hangs in the balance. Oh, the gravity of the situation.

I believe Michigan will finish with two wins. Therefore, Purdue wins. It’s that simple.

PREDICTION: Purdue sloppy, Michigan sloppier

Central Michigan at Indiana: (the Smarties that fell out of the weak cellophane wrapper, smashed up at the bottom of the of your bag – Halloween is a chocolate holiday, enough said) Last year, Central Michigan quarterback Dan Lefevour nearly eclipsed 5,000 total yards (3,652 passing, 1122 rushing) with 46 total touchdowns. This year’s numbers are down significantly as he is pacing for only 3,000 yards and 21 touchdowns. Last year, Hoosiers quarterback Kellen Lewis approached 4,000 total yards (3,043 passing, 736 rushing) with 37 total touchdowns. This year’s numbers are down significantly (partially due to injuries) as he is pacing for 2,000 yards and only 12 touchdowns. How about we take both teams, hop in our DeLorean, punch it to 88 mph and see if we can play this one last year?

PREDICTION: Because this game will have been played in the past with said time machine, I looked up the results online and found the quarterbacks themselves combined for 800 yards and seven touchdowns in a surprising thriller. Indiana 39, Central Michigan 34

Photo Credit: University of Minnesota Athletic Communications