2014-20-15
NCAA PLAYOFFS
(3) Alabama 21
(2) Florida State17
QB Matchup - Winston played very strong throughout the year, but missed the last four games of the year with a foot fracture. His first game back comes in the playoffs.
Blake Sims started the season under center for Bama, but struggled and was pulled for freshman QB Cooper Bateman. Bateman proceeds to dominate with a loaded offense featuring 3 receivers, a running back, and a TE draft prospects, losing just one game (to LSU in OT in the middle of the year.)
Saban goes with the sophomore bruiser Derrick Henry (9 TDs on the year, a 5-star running back that will be a monster when he makes the NFL jump) to start the game against the tough Florida State defense, which carried the team in Winston’s absence.
Bama jumps to a 14-0 lead on a pair of first half Henry TD runs, but after a cautious beginning Winston orchestrates 17 straight points on a long drive to end the first half, the opening drive of the 3rd and adds another TD.
With under four minutes to go Bateman throws a monster 58-yard bomb through the rain down the right sideline to draft prospect DeAndrew White, leading to a 14 yard TD to Cristion Jones to take the lead 21-17.
Winston drives them all the way down the field, including a fourth down conversion, to a third and goal from the 10 with seconds ticking away in the game. He gets the ball to O’Leary, but the tight end is stopped 3 yards short of the game-winning last minute TD.
Bateman - 18/25, 227 yards, 1 TD/1INT
Henry and Yeldon combine for 160 total yards in a strong two-back attack.
Winston - 35/39, 308, TD, 40 yards rushing.
(1) Michigan 39
(4) Ohio State 42
The game started off wild, the first score a 43 yard run by Heisman-winner Devin Gardner that he fumbled at the 3... Only to be recovered in the endzone by a Mich. receiver for the TD.
Braxton Miller comes right back, throwing a 58 yard BOMB to Smith to answer and tie the game. It eventually goes into QUADRUPLE OVERTIME, with OSU pulling out an outrageous 42-39 win. Gardner and Miller both top 100 yards rushing, both throw multiple TD passes.
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Alabama 31
vs
Ohio State 28
Bateman throws four first half TD passes and the Bama defense gets several key third down sacks to take a big first half lead.
A failed fourth and 1 on Bama's 49 on their first second half drive is quickly converted by OSU for a TD to pull them back within two scores. Two fourth quarter TD runs by Miller draws the Buckeyes within 3 late, but they can't get the last-minute onside kick.
Alabama is the 2014-2015 NCAA Champion.
Miller sacked NINE TIMES but runs for 120 yards and 3 touchdowns, throws two picks and 230 yards.
Amari Cooper finishes with 99 yards and 2 TD, Cooper Bateman 4 TD and 1 pick.
HEISMAN TROPHY
Devin Gardner wins a competitive 2014 Heisman with a 37 total TD performance, including more than 800 yards on the ground, leading Michigan to a season-ending #1 ranking.
Top 5
1. Devin Gardner, QB, Michigan
2. Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA
3. Jeff Driskel, QB, Florida
4. Braxton Miller, QB, Ohio State
5. Melvin Gordon, RB
***Mariota and Winston both missed the last several games with injuries, otherwise they likely would’ve been right in the mix.
Draft prospects
These aren't yet compete and aren't necessarily the top prospects at each position. Just those I've written.
THE QUARTERBACKS
Jameis Winston - 2013’s Heisman winner played very well while on the field, but that was only about two-thirds of the year thanks to back and foot injuries. Returned for the playoffs and had a very efficient last college game, 35/39 for 350 yards and a TD, but couldn’t get a last-second TD to return to the championship.
Marcus Mariota - Hurt his non-throwing arm late in the year, but expected to make a full recovery. Perhaps the top quarterback in the class - if not overall prospect - after posting the nation’s second best passer rating in 2014. Given Winston's character concerns, Mariota is considered the safer prospect.
Devin Gardner - The Heisman winner earned his prize with a 2890 pass yards, 911 rush yards, 41 total TD performance in his senior year. Came during a season where Michigan finished #1 but suffered a rough 42-39 in the first round of the playoffs, though no fault of his own. Another note: will he take the #98 he’s worn the past two seasons into the pro ranks?
Braxton Miller - Ended senior year playing for the national championship. A dual-threat Heisman candidate, but does his game transition to the pro level?
Kevin Hogan - Throws for 36 touchdowns and 5 picks, leading the country in passer rating and Stanford to a top-10 finish. Big arm, comfortable in the pocket and possessing deceptive speed, he has many Andrew Luck similarities beyond the Stanford connection.
Brett Hundley: Could likely have been a first rounder in 2013, now enters a highly competitive 2014 class… but has a STRONG year. Throws 31 pass TDs to just 7 picks. Nearly won the Heisman with a close second-place finish.
Sean Mannion - Threw FORTY touchdown passes (three more than 2013) in a monster senior season at Oregon State. Some were concerned he’d lost Brandon Cooks last year to the NFL- those concerns were erased.
Shane Carden - Threw 36 touchdowns for East Carolina. A dark horse candidate who could leap into the first. WR Hardy, his favorite target, could also make noise.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap200...niors-to-watch
Jeff Driskel - Returning from a broken leg in 2013, he lead the Heisman race for a good chunk of the middle of the year. Offers a solid combination of size, running and way-better-than-Tebow passing ability.
RUNNING BACKS
Melvin Gordon - Such a proficient year that he was a Heisman candidate (no easy feat - NCAA loves its quarterbacks.) Ran for more than six yards per, topped 2,000 yards and added 15 TDs. After a few years of weak RB draft classes… that ENDS in 2015.
Todd Gurley - Lead the tough SEC in rushing with 1574 yards and 11 touchdowns. Should be a classic feature back at the next level, added 300 yards through the air.
TJ Yeldon - Split time at Alabama, but that’s more of a statement about the second back Henry. Yeldon could be the third first round back.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Rashad Greene - Lead the ACC in receiving, made a nasty pair with Winston. Caught 76 balls for more than 1200 yards and nine scores.
Derrick Thompson - Perhaps the fastest player in the draft, the 5’11 blazer from SMU returns kicks and punts, too.
Matt Miller - Boise State’s top pass catcher caught 12 touchdowns as a senior.
Tommy Shuler - had SIXTEEN touchdowns in an explosive senior year at Marshall, despite tiny 5’07 190 frame.
Justin Hardy - That classic smaller-school receiver who could explode onto the NFL scene. Paired with Carden at East Carolina for a big offensive
OFFENSIVE LINE
Cameron Erving - protected Winston’s blind side, he’s the clear-cut top LT prospect in the country.
Arie Kouandjio - like the Pouncey twins, he played with brother Cyrus at Bama and entered the draft a year later