Scouting 1-on-1

BCS Title Game — LSU (11–2) vs. Ohio State (11–1) — Jan. 7, 2008

Dorsey is arguably one of the candidates to go No. 1 overall to the Miami Dolphins in next April’s NFL Draft. On the other side, Wells is not draft eligible this year but has been on the professional radar since his days at Garfield HS in Akron, Ohio. Wells will be a Heisman Trophy frontrunner and NFL early entry candidate next season.

After turning down NFL millions to return for his senior season in Baton Rouge, Dorsey was rewarded individually with the Outland Trophy, Bronko Nagurski Award and Vince Lombardi Award, while leading the Bayou Bengals to the SEC championship and a spot in the BCS title game in New Orleans.

The last time the country saw "Beanie" Wells, he was celebrating with a rose in his mouth after overpowering Michigan for 222 yards and two touchdowns. Big runs won’t be as easy to come by against LSU, but if Wells can consistently pound the pigskin then Ohio State can squeeze air out of the ball and rely on its own stop-unit — which is led by Butkus Award winning linebacker James Laurinaitis — to stay in control.

But if Dorsey and the Tigers are able to stuff Wells and the Buckeyes running game, there could be an early Mardi Gras party for LSU fans on Bourbon Street.

Rose Bowl — USC (10–2) vs. Illinois (9–3) — Jan. 1, 2008

Like LSU’s Dorsey, USC’s Rivers turned down a first-round grade in last year’s NFL Draft to return for his senior season with the Trojans. Now, Rivers leads a dominant defense featuring senior talents like tackle Sedrick Ellis and end Lawrence Jackson, along with junior middle linebacker Rey Maualuga and sophomore safety Taylor Mays.

The key to the Fighting Illini’s success will be Mendenhall. The Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year is an explosive back who needs to show he is capable of running well against a good defense. In Illinois’ upset of Ohio State, Mendenhall had 88 yards on 26 carries. In the Fighting Zookster’s three losses (Michigan, Iowa and Misssour), Mendenhall had a combined 44 carries for 185 yards.

With NFL talent on every level of Pete Carroll’s USC defense, it could be a long day for Illinois fans unless Mendenhall can break a long run or two.

Capital One Bowl — Florida (9–3) vs. Michigan (8–4) — Jan. 1, 2008

Last year, Long was higher-rated than both Dorsey and Rivers, yet decided to return to Ann Arbor for his senior season to make a run at a national title. Although Long, coach Lloyd Carr, tailback Mike Hart and quarterback Chad Henne aren’t going out on top, they still can defeat the defending BCS national champs in a bowl game.

In the 2007 NFL Draft, two Big Ten tackles (who Long beat out for the conference’s Offensive Lineman of the Year award) went in the Top 5 of the first round — Wisconsin’s Joe Thomas (No. 3, Cleveland Browns) and Penn State’s Levi Brown (No. 5, Arizona Cardinals). Those would have been likely destinations for Long last year. Now, the Michigan mauler could become the first offensive lineman to be selected No. 1 overall since Ohio State pancake man Orlando Pace in 1997.

In his collegiate finale, Long will go head-to-head with Harvey, who had 3.0 sacks and a fumble recovery as Defensive MVP of the BCS Title Game against Ohio State last year. Harvey could make himself a lot of money by improving his draft stock with a big day against the well-established Long.

Music City Bowl — Florida State (7–5) vs. Kentucky (7–5) — Dec. 31, 2007

The depleted FSU defense will have its hands full with the strong-armed Big Blue signal-caller Woodson, who picked apart LSU’s defense during a triple-overtime upset victory. After suspending over 20 student-athletes for an internet class cheating scandal, the Seminoles will have depth issues, to say the least.

Hayes — who had a 38-yard interception return for a touchdown to seal a win over ACC rival Boston College and Woodson first round quarterback peer Matt Ryan — will have to be a wrecking ball from sideline-to-sideline against the Cats. Although he wears Derrick Brooks’ old No. 10 jersey, Hayes will have to play even better to slow down a quick-strike UK offense.

Who would have ever thought that a Kentucky loss to Florida State would be viewed as a meltdown. Fair or not, if Woodson doesn’t throw the ball at-will against the semi-Noles defense — which still includes top talent such as Hayes, senior tackle Andre Fluellen and sophomore safety Myron Rolle — it will be viewed as a disappointment.

Alamo Bowl — Penn State (8–4) vs. Texas A&M (7–5) — Dec. 29, 2007

Connor is the latest hard-nosed defender to come out of Linebacker U. This year’s Chuck Bednarik Award winner was overshadowed by Paul Posluszny earlier in his career, but many felt he was better than Poz last season.

While Connor’s dirty hustle has been consistently underrated, Bennett’s NFL Combine physical skills may have caused his ability on the field to be overrated. A blue chip football and basketball prospect coming out of Taylor HS in the Houston area, Bennett seems to be counting down the days until he hears his name called on Draft Day.

No one has ever doubted his talent, but Bennett’s effort could be exposed by Connor’s non-stop motor. Or, maybe Connor will be outran and jumped over by Bennett — who could finally emerge as the Antonio Gates-type of talent scouts think he could be.