Emerald Bowl

Florida State isn't used to playing their bowl games on December 27th, but after struggling to a 6-6 record this fall, the Seminoles are probably just happy to be playing in the post-season at all. And the Seminoles will be tested in tonight's Emerald Bowl by UCLA which can get after the QB as well as any team in the country.

Wednesday, December 27

Emerald Bowl, San Francisco; 8 PM ET; ESPN

UCLA (7-5) vs Florida State (6-6)

UCLA enters the Emerald Bowl on a huge high after knocking cross-town nemesis Southern California out of the national title game, upsetting the Trojans 13-9 on the final weekend of the regular season. And there was nothing fluky about the Bruins win over the Trojans; indeed, UCLA has one of the better pass rushes in the country featuring DEs Justin Hickman (#17, 6-1, 260) and junior tween er Bruce Davis (#44, 6-3, 230) each of whom had 12.5 sacks this fall. The Bruins also have a good one in junior DT Kevin Brown (#75, 6-2, 297). In fact, ‘junior’ is the key word for the Bruins as the defense also includes a couple more emerging junior types in CB Trey Brown (#23, 5-9, 190) and LB Christian Morton (#33, 6-0, 220). Same story on offense where the best prospect is junior OG Shannon Tevaga (#71, 6-3, 310). Indeed, other than DE Hickman, the Bruins’ best prospect for the 2007 draft is PK Justin Medlock (#7, 6-0, 185) who connected on 26 of 30 FG attempts this fall including 2 for 2 from beyond 50 yards.

Coming off a disappointing 8-5 mark in 2005, the Seminoles were supposed to reload this year, but instead staggered to through a miserable 6-6 season, arguably the worst in head coach Bobby Bowden’s career. And after dominating the early going at the 2006 draft where 4 former Seminoles were taken in the first 19 picks, FSU is likely to more of a bystander this coming April. Indeed, aggressive MLB Buster Davis (#7, 5-11, 240) is likely the only Seminoles’ senior with a legitimate chance to being taken on the first-day this year. Meanwhile OT Mario Henderson (#75, 6-6, 305), RB Lorenzo Booker (#28, 5-10, 195), WR Chris Davis (#5, 6-0, 180) and DE Darrell Burston (#92, 6-2, 240) should get some later round consideration. In fact, the Emerald Bowl represents a major opportunity for OT Henserdon to improve his stock as he certainly has NFL physical potential but hasn’t necessarily always been that productive. Going up against UCLA DEs Hickman and Davis, though, will give him a chance to shine. And whether the Seminoles ultimately actually have to start to rebuild next fall will depend to a large extent on the development of some great young players coming along including emerging junior OLB Lawrence Timmons (#83, 6-3, 220), along with sophomores like QB Drew Weatherford (#11, 6-3, 220), 6-6 WR Greg Carr (#89, 6-6, 200), and CB Tony Carter (#15, 5-9, 170), along with star freshman DB Myron Rolle (#3, 6-2, 215).....

After breaking the NCAA single-season touchdown record, Hawaii junior QB Colt Brennan says he prepared to return to school for his senior season unless an NFL team indicates it will select him with a high pick at the 2007 draft. Brennan broke the NCAA record for touchdown passes in a season with 58 in Hawaii's 41-24 victory over Arizona State in the Hawaii Bowl on Sunday night. Brennan finished the game with five touchdowns on 33-of-42 passing for a school-record 559 yards, although he did also have a pick.....

Clemson junior OT Barry Richardon, a 345-pound road grader, has indicated he will be returning to school for his senior season. Tigers’ junior CB C.J. Gaddis, though, has at least petitioned the NFL draft underclassmen advisory committee for a gauge on where he might be selected if he turned pro early. The 6-0, 210-pound Gaddis, though, is still saying he’ll most likely stay for his final year of eligibility and will need to be graded out as a high pick to convince him to leave school early.....

There is an unconfirmed media report that UNLV junior CB Eric Wright will be entering the 2007 draft.....

Cleveland, which would have the 3rd pick overall were the 2007 draft held today, will have to start 3rd stringer Ken Dorsey in Sunday's season finale against Houston. Dorsey will replace Derek Anderson, who suffered a separated right shoulder in the Christmas Eve loss to Tampa Bay. Anderson had started three straight games after nominal starter Charlie Frye sustained a wrist injury earlier in December. With Frye and Anderson unable to play, the Browns likely will have to sign a quarterback before Sunday to serve as backup to Dorsey.....


As noted in yesterday’s report regarding the latest selection order for the opening round of the 2007 draft, Detroit would have the first round pick if the draft were held today because the Lions' combined opponents have won four fewer games to date than Oakland's. However, correspondent Scott Z has correctly pointed out that it because of a number of factors Detroit would actually need a ‘miracle’ to lose out on the #1 pick this year assuming that both the Lions and Raiders either lose their season-finales this weekend or both their final game. For starters, that four-win gap will be that much more difficult for Oakland to overcome because the Lions and Raiders have 5 common opponents on their schedules this season. At the same time, each has a number of opponents which play each other this weekend. For example, the Lions’ division-rivals Chicago and Green Bay wrap up the NFL regular season Sunday evening so whether the Bears or Packers win, the Lions will add two wins and two losses to their opponents’ combined W-L totals. Indeed, when these ‘pre-determined results are factored in, the gap between the Lions and Raiders’ combined opponents records actually increases to five games. Finally, it all that wasn’t bad enough (for Oakland) or good enough for Detroit depending on one’s perspective, the majority of Detroit’s opponents’ this weekend are substantial underdogs, while more of Oakland’s are at least favored. Of course, all these calculations will be thrown out if either Detroit or Oakland (but not both) pulls off an upset this weekend. Both are in tough, though, with the Lions playing at playoff bound Dallas which is still battling for post-season position, while Oakland will be at the New York Jets, whom like the Cowboys are still fighting for playoff position.