Bowl Preview Series: Holiday Bowl
by Matt Miller
Matt Miller writes that the 2007 Pacific Life Holiday Bowl will feature two of the most exciting offenses in college football, with Texas and its prolific zone-option offense and Arizona State’s high-octane passing attack. Pacific Life Holiday Bowl
Texas Longhorns vs. Arizona State Sun Devils
December 27th, 2007 San Diego, California (Qualcomm Stadium)
8 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Summary: The game will be centered around both school’s quarterbacks, with Colt McCoy leading the Longhorns and Rudy Carpenter under center for the Sun Devils. There should be no shortage of points in this game, as both offenses will be expected to score well into the 30s against defenses that struggle against the pass.
Draft-worthy Senior Prospects
Arizona State Sun Devils
C Mike Pollak, 6-4, 295 pounds - Has top athleticism for an offensive lineman. Possesses great quickness to snap the ball and get into position to make a block. Moves well laterally and can be an asset on the second level. Team leader, intelligent and experienced. Will get even better under a good line coach who can fully utilize Pollak’s tools.
SS Josh Barrett, 6-3, 225 pounds - Big, athletic safety who can cover a lot of space. The leader of Arizona State’s defense. Can play near the line or in deep coverage. May be the best overall safety in this year’s draft. Great character. Biggest downside is a history of nagging injuries that slow him down.
RB Ryan Torain, 6-0, 215 pounds - Solid runner who missed the second half of his senior season after fracturing his big toe. Runs high and doesn’t have a lot of speed or athleticism. Has good size and power, but he won’t blow you away in any area. At his best when he can run between the tackles.
TE Brent Miller, 6-5, 240 pounds - Miller is likely an H-back at the next level because he lacks the power to be an in-line blocker and the speed and athleticism to be a receiving tight end. Hands are inconsistent. G Brandon Rodd, 6-4, 305 pounds - Has experience at tackle and guard but excels at neither. Needs to get stronger. Has short arms.
CB Justin Tryon, 5-9, 179 pounds - Small junior college transfer who gives up too much room in coverage. Not very strong or a good tackler. Has good speed, but not great closing ability.
DT Michael Marquardt, 6-3, 298 pounds - Nice-sized down lineman who struggles to sustain against two blockers. Needs to get nastier, but he always tries hard. Will be a 26-year-old rookie.
WR Rudy Burgess, 5-10, 188 pounds - Small receiver who needs to bulk up to make it at the next level. Shows great burst and could contribute as a return specialist. Because of his size, Burgess too often gets jammed at the line. Needs to learn how to run better after the catch.
Texas Longhorns
WR Limas Sweed, 6-5, 218 pounds - Big, athletic receiver. Missed most of ‘07 with wrist injury. Gets good separation and can make tough catches. Down field threat. Long strides, but good overall speed. Quiet, humble player. Good open field vision. Feels the coverage well. Can sit in a zone and works back to the ball well. Needs to overcome injuries.
WR Nate Jones, 6-1, 195 pounds - The surprise of the season for Texas. Good underneath receiver that makes plays with the ball in his hands. Gets open in space or man coverage. Sits down well in the zone. Used mostly as a possession receiver, but has good speed. Go-to guy during this season. Will be used best in the slot in the NFL.
WR Billy Pittman, 6-1, 200 pounds - Suspended early in the season for borrowing a car from a booster. Used sparingly down the stretch. Has speed and talent to make plays. Gets open. Forgotten at times in this offense. Questionable character.
OT Tony Hills, 6-6, 305 pounds - Injured in High School and moved to tackle from tight end. Missed last of senior season due to injury as well. Good pass blocker that has light feet and moves well in space. Doesn’t dominate as a run blocker. Can be soft at times. Lacks killer instinct. Finesse player at times. When healthy, can shine as a pass blocker.
DT Frank Okam, 6-5, 320 pounds - Versatile lineman that can stop the run and rush the passer. Good feel and vision. Makes plays behind the line. Has the strength to push the center back into the pocket. Splits the gap well and can fight through a double team. Can be inconsistent. Doesn’t take over games. Very smart player. Film junky.
DT Derek Lokey, 6-2, 288 pounds - Hard-working player that has great motor. Very smart on and off the field. Plays the run well and works down the line. Undersized, a one-gap player. Very strong in the weight room. A fighter. Mature and competitive. A good character player. Will attend law school after playing career is over.
OLB Robert Killebrew, 6-1, 226 pounds - Weak in coverage and doesn’t get to his zone fast enough. Plays the run well from the outside. Can make plays in short-yardage situations. Looks lost at times. Will disappear for stretches. Has good athleticism, but poor instincts.
OLB Scott Derry, 6-3, 234 pounds - Classic over-achiever. Lean and lanky. Poor strength. Hustle player. No lateral quickness. Lacks short burst. Good instincts make up for lack of athleticism.
CB Brandon Foster, 5-9, 182 pounds - Pesky cover corner. Lacks elite size or speed. Good tackler that plays the run well. Makes solid, quick cuts. Will go up and get the ball, but isn’t a jumper. Better in man coverage than zone. Fights for positioning and isn’t ran off his leverage.
FS Marcus Griffin, 5-11, 205 pounds - Brother Michael was a first-round pick in 2007 draft. ESPN All-American. Plays in the box and stops the run well. Led the Longhorns in tackles. Runs the alley well and is a strong, wrap-up tackler. Good vision and instincts. Not as strong in deep coverage. Best playing under and coming up to the ball.
Draft Eligible Underclassmen to Watch
Texas Longhorns
RB Jamaal Charles, 6-1, 200 pounds - Speed back that really came on strong in 2007. Hits the hold hard and follows his blocks. Patient when he needs to be. Talented receiver. Good build and strength. One of the fastest players in college. Has had fumbling problems. Excels in space, but can be used between the tackles.