Rob Carr - Getty Images
7 months ago: COLLEGE PARK, MD - OCTOBER 15: Defensive end Andre Branch #40 of the Clemson Tigers celebrates during the closing moments of the Tigers' 56-45 win over the Maryland Terrapins at Byrd Stadium on October 15, 2011 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
So far the BCS bowl games have not disappointed, all three games have been great. Tonight will be final BCS game before the national championship as #23 West Virginia (9-3) takes on #15 Clemson (10-3) at 8:30 on ESPN in the Orange Bowl. It should be a high scoring affair with both teams sporting some NFL talent for the 2012 draft.
Clemson Pro Prospects
Andre Branch, DE, 6'4, 260 lbs: Last year Clemson had some solid defensive line prospects in Da'Quan Bowers and Jarvis Jenkins, this year the Tigers add to the tradition with Andre Branch who has been a monster this year. This year alone Branch has 10.5 sacks and has risen all the way up to a 1st round prospect. I think Branch's future may be most suited to be a 3-4 outside linebacker, so he may not be the best fit for the Redskins. But look for Branch to make some noise tonight and as the draft approaches. He plays "bandit" for Clemson which is a sort of hybrid LB/DL position for Clemson and is fun to watch.
Brandon Thompson, DT, 6'2, 305 lbs: Branch's partner in crime is 2nd round prospect Brandon Thompson. Thompson is a space eater and helps set the table by collapsing the pocket for pass rushers like Branch. The fact that Branch and Bowers have had such tremendous years over the past two years speaks volumes of Thompson's ability to do his job. He excels against the run and could be a good situational player at the nose for the Redskins, if they seek additional help.
Dwayne Allen, TE, 6'4, 255 lbs: Allen is an underclassmen but could be a 2nd round pick in this year's draft, if he declares. In my opinion he is the best tight end prospect in his class. This past year he racked up eight touchdowns and nearly 600 yards. The one are he needs to vastly improve in is his blocking game. Look for Clemson QB Tajh Boyd to target Allen quite a bit tonight.
West Virginia Pro Prospects
Keith Tandy, CB, 5'10, 200 lbs: Tandy is about a 5th round prospect right now, but he could greatly improve his stock by shutting down the nation's best freshman receiver tonight in Sammy Watkins. He can get caught out of position from time to time, but he has the ability to develop as a corner and can also perform well on special teams in coverage. He's most intriguing attribute is that he is a sure tackler.
Bruce Irvin, DE/OLB, 6'3, 245 lbs: Irvin was one of the nation's top pass rusher's in 2010 for the Mountaineers, after taking one of the most twisted paths to Morgantown imaginable. The Senior dropped out of high school, later got his GED, went to community college, committed to Tennessee, de-committed, committed to Arizona State, de-committed, then finally chose West Virginia. He's a wild card in this draft because he hasn't lived up to the hype produced from his 2010 campaign, but he should be a freak at the combine when he showcases his speed. All in all, I see Irvin as an OLB in the NFL and will likely end up somewhere in the 2nd or 3rd round.
Don Barclay, OL, 6'4, 310 lbs: Barclay is a 7th round prospect who plays left tackle for the Mountaineers. He is another prospect who could see his stock shoot up tonight if he has a good performance against Clemson's great defensive line. He's not the most athletic lineman, so I wouldn't be surprised if whomever drafts him or signs him in April kicks him inside to guard.
Orange Bowl Prediction: Clemson 35, West Virgina 27
Parks' Prediction Record: 22-8
0 recs | 40 comments
Selvish Capers, Chris Neild...
Don Barclay??
Ken Meringolo - January 4, 2012
Like I said Barclay needs to play guard
Parks Smith - January 4, 2012
Where is JimAmerica when you need him?
Parks Smith - January 4, 2012
Saving the world ??
ENsDad27 - January 4, 2012
forgot about that...
Parks Smith - January 4, 2012
Best prospect in this game? Easily Sammy Watkins
but he’s only a freshman and isn’t eligible until 2013. If not he’d be a top 5 pick.
Diesel44 - January 4, 2012
I agree, that's why I mentioned him in the Tandy blurb
Parks Smith - January 4, 2012
def. he's going to be amazing
Steve Shoup - January 4, 2012
He went to High School just up the road from where I live & was amazing
Broderick Jenkins a CB for W.V.U. also played on the same team & J.D. Woods who is a WR for WVU is from the same town I live in.
ENsDad27 - January 4, 2012
Watkins has looked amazing.
Would be delighted if we drafted him in 2013.
Stephen Beagrie - January 5, 2012
Hello? Bruce Irvin
I think you left someone off your list.
I saw one draft projection that had him going with the No. 8 overall pick.
That may be a little optimistic, but if you’re going to mention Tandy and Barclay …
bucfaninwa - January 4, 2012
Ahhh yes... the nations most overrated pass rusher, haha. I did honestly forget him. I'll add him now.
I couldn’t remember if he was healthy or not.
Parks Smith - January 4, 2012
Overrated?
Read what the scouts say about him.
And yes, he’s healthy. He’s just getting killed with double teams with Neild gone. That and the fact that he’s wearing down by playing with his hand on the ground at 235 pounds.
Last year he was just a situational pass rusher and he was unblockable. On Sundays, he’ll play OLB and he’ll be a monster.
bucfaninwa - January 4, 2012
I know what the scouts say about him (reflected above), West Virginia fans seem to hyper-inflate their players more than any other fanbase
Most of the scouts agree that he has regressed this year, he can’t get away with pure speed in the league. He’s a one trick pony and people have figured him out. I think there is still a role for him in the NFL, but he’s just not versatile.
If he gets stopped initially, he’s done. He has no moves and relies purely on his speed. His checkered past is going to deter some teams also.
Parks Smith - January 4, 2012
With all that being said, the more I think about... I think Irvin would be a tremendous fit in Green Bay
Parks Smith - January 4, 2012
Agreed
Irvin’s a bit overrated, but he could be very good. Early on he probably needs to be 2nd fiddle or a situational guy like say Aldon Smith. Being in GB he can punish teams who focus too much on Clay Matthews.
Steve Shoup - January 4, 2012
gonna be a reallll good game...
I took Clemson as well in the HH Pool
ptowny - January 4, 2012
Agree should be a good game
I’ll take Clemson by 13
skinaholic - January 4, 2012
Good call
bucfaninwa - January 4, 2012
yes very good call :P
munson21502 - January 5, 2012
If you don't have the balls to make a public prediction, then don't criticize others
Parks Smith - January 5, 2012
It takes balls to make a bet, not a prediction
A prediction is nothing more than a wild guess about what will happen with nothing more at stake than the possibility that someone will, in a good-natured way, point out that your guess was off by 50 points.
Come to think of it, maybe you were the one with money on the game, Mr, Sensitive.
bucfaninwa - January 5, 2012
Once again, if you don't have the ball to make a public prediction, then don't criticize others
Thank you for the definition of a prediction though. Only money pool I did I chose West Virginia, cute theory though.
Parks Smith - January 5, 2012
My definition of prediction is a whole lot better than your definition of criticize
bucfaninwa - January 5, 2012
Where is your prediction?
Parks Smith - January 5, 2012
I didn't make one
Does that disqualify me from having a little fun at the expense of someone who did and missed the mark by a mile?
Lighten up, Miss Manners.
bucfaninwa - January 5, 2012
dude I think just about 100 % of people that made a score prediction missed that one by a mile
Not one person in the right mind would have predicted a score of 70-33. To be completely honest if they were to play again in a week. I would still pick Clemson by 13.
skinaholic - January 5, 2012
So would I ... and I'm a WVU alum
I was just giving you a little business. Not sure why the Grinch took offense on your behalf.
bucfaninwa - January 5, 2012
Maybe he was just giving you a little business lol
no offense taken on my part. I won’t speak for Parks , I have been a member here for a couple years now and can honestly say he is a good person that brings a lot of insight to this board. We all like to pick at each other from time to time. It brings some genuine fun here sometimes.
skinaholic - January 5, 2012
Did not bother me Parks
But thank’s
skinaholic - January 5, 2012
I know . Check back with me if you need more predictions. lol
skinaholic - January 5, 2012
i wouldnt be shocked to see shanahan draft Andre Branch
in the late first round after a trade back to replace london fletcher
munson21502 - January 4, 2012
If Fletch is going to be around for another year or two
Like he has said he wants to be.
Don’t waste a first on his replacement. Spend a third on it and let him learn for 2 years.
tman5 - January 4, 2012
That would be a really bad move, Branch can't play ILB in the 3-4, he'd be a perfect OLB
Parks Smith - January 4, 2012
yeah Branch doesn't fit as an ILB
really good prospect, but not really a fit for us.
Steve Shoup - January 4, 2012
austin to replace banks!!!
i seen him play in high school. he beat both my local high schools for the maryland class a state championship back to back years lol
munson21502 - January 4, 2012
he is perfect for us...
he can play QB, rb, WR and return kicks!!!
munson21502 - January 4, 2012
he's got another year of eligibility and I'd guess he stays since he'll probably have another really big year
really nice slot receiver who like you said does everything
Steve Shoup - January 4, 2012
oh cool
well then he can replace both banks and moss when he comes out then :) we can get him in the second or 3rd round that would be sweet
munson21502 - January 5, 2012
Clemson's DL is pretty good again.
I’d like to see Brandon Thompson in B+G, particualrly if they don’t re-sign Carriker.
Given our needs though, we’d probably have to see a trade down for that. Trade down in the 1st and pick Tannehill, Thompson and an O-Lineman in the first two rounds?
Of course, that would probably require a FA QB to be signed while Tannehill develops into a starter (tin hat on…)
Stephen Beagrie - January 5, 2012
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