St. Louis Rams College Bowl Game Viewer’s Guide

Happy New Year’s Eve Rams Nation. The 2014 season is in the books which means it is time to start looking ahead to free agency and the draft. Before we start to look into free agency, the biggest college football weekend of the year has arrived as many bowl games are set to take place this week and throughout the weekend.

As someone who used to not watch a lot of college football, trying to find what games to watch and what to look for was always difficult. Well Rams Nation, here is a guide on what games to watch and what to look for in this week’s bowl games.

Ole Miss vs TCU

This bowl game is one that I am really looking forward to. Both teams have the talent to put them in the college football playoff as Ole Miss was number one in the nation at one point and TCU was in the playoff picture until the last week of the college football season. This will be with a good defense in Ole Miss going up against a very good offense in TCU.

While a top quarterback would be nice to watch in this game that the Rams could draft in May would be nice, unfortunately that won’t be the case as Trevone Boykin won’t be declaring for the 2015 draft.

With that being the case a couple of players you should watch are Ole Miss cornerback Senquez Golson and TCU safety Chris Hackett. The Rams are in a lot of need for playmakers in the secondary and Golson and Hackett are two to watch in this game.

Golson has been one of the most dangerous cornerbacks in the nation this season and was an interception machine for the Rebels. He has shown excellent instincts and ball skills. Most likely a second to fourth round player.

While Hackett may not declare for the NFL Draft as he is only a junior, he is a ball-hawking safety that quarterbacks have to fear in the secondary and a guy to watch He’s great in coverage and has great instincts. Another matey to watch will be the other TCU safety Sam Carter.

Boise State vs Arizona

Not sure how close this game will be as Arizona is clearly the better team with a bit win against Oregon earlier in the year. Boise State has snuck into the top 25, but Arizona has been a top 10 team for most of the year.

The Broncos have another solid ball-hawking safety in Darian Thompson who could come out in 2016 as he is a red-shirt junior, but 2015 isn’t out of the question. The Broncos safety will have a tough task against a fast paced Arizona offense.

Mississippi State vs Georgia Tech

Mississippi State’s defense will be put to a tough challenge of stopping the run against Georgia Tech’s triple option run heavy offense. Georgia Tech could come up with the upset if Mississippi State can’t stop the run, but at the end of the day, I see Miss St. pulling away in the second half.

We have been looking for a top quarterback to watch in this week’s games, and this one just happens to have one of those.  Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott was front-and-center in the Heisman Trophy discussion throwing 24 touchdowns and running for 13 more. He isn’t Mariota or Winston, but he is right there as a guy the Rams could get in the first or second round.

The Rams are also in need of a play-making outside linebacker and Mississippi State just happens to have one of those as well. The Rams need an upgrade from Dunbar, and while playing safety Mark Barron in the linebacker spot did work this season, the Rams need a guy that can consistently play beside Ogletree and Laurinaitis. Benardrick McKinney could be that guy. McKinney has a big-time presence in the Bulldogs’ defense and has shown the ability to be a three-down starter who can drop into pass coverage or rush the quarterback.

This game just has it all for the Rams who are also in need of offensive lineman. Georgia Tech guard Shaq Mason who  became Georgia Tech’s first first-team All-American since defensive end Derrick Morgan in 2009. More of a mid-round pick, he could be a nice pickup for the Rams and a guy who will have a lot to prove against a top defensive unit.

Auburn vs Wisconsin

This will be a very good game featuring two very good defensive units. This is going to be a very close game up until the very end and despite good defensive units, it could turn into a shootout. I expect Auburn to win this game.

The Rams need offensive lineman and this is a game to watch for that reason. Auburn just so happens to have one of the nation’s best centers in Reese Dismukes. is a balanced, well-rounded blocker who is equally effective for the ground or air attack. He had strong showings against Ole Miss and LSU, but will need to have a good game against Wisconsin to prove himself.

The entire Wisconsin O-line will also be a group to watch as they will be blocking for Melvin Gordon who is going for Barry Sanders’ rushing title. Although the Badgers don’t have an offensive lineman who will go in the first round, they will be guys to keep an eye on in the mid-late rounds.

Michigan State vs Baylor

Of all the college football games this week, this game might be the one that Im looking forward to the most. Connor Cook vs Bryce Petty will be a great matchup to watch as both lead two of the best offenses in college football.

Cook hasn’t declared, but Petty being a senior will be a guy that the Rams could draft and with a big performance against the Spartans, his stock will rise. Definitely a quarterback to keep your eye on.

Aside from the quarterback position, Baylor offensive tackle Spencer Drango will be a guy to watch that the Rams could get in the second or third round, Michigan State cornerback Trae Waynes, and Michigan State safety Kurtis Drummond are all guy to watch.

Florida State vs Oregon

And finally we reach the college football playoff matchups. Of the two games, this is the one that I am looking the most forward two. Marietta vs Winston will be a fun game to watch as they are two of the nation’s best quarterbacks.

While the Rams most likely won’t be able to get Mariota, there is a chance that they trade up for or Winston falls to them at 10. He is a realistic option for the blue and gold. Florida State has been criticized for close victories against inferior opponents, and this will be their time to shine, but it starts with Winston.

Aside from the quarterback position, there are plenty of other players to watch, especially on the offensive line. You have Flordia State tackle Cameron Erving,  Florida State guard Josue Matias, and Oregon center Hroniss Grasu as guys that the Rams could draft in the first three rounds.

Alabama vs Ohio State

While Alabama may be the sure-fire favorite. Don’t count out Ohio State. They are a team that can win any game and they proved that by destroying Wisconsin in the season finale.

Once again it is the offensive line and defense that you should watch in this game. Specifically on Alabama. Crimson Tide guard Arie Kouandjio is a guy the Rams could grab in the second round that would significantly help in run blocking.

While the Rams may be set at wide receiver, if they got the chance to draft a heisman candidate like Amari Cooper, it would be something that they wouldnt be able to pass up, the guy is simply a freak of nature.

The Rams also need some depth on the defensive line and a guy like Ohio State’s  Michael Bennett would allow the Rams to get rid of Langford for a younger, cheaper guy.

Well Rams fans, there is a lot of college football to watch this weekend and I hope this guide will serve you well. The 2015 draft is something to look forward to and it all starts this week with the college bowl games.