Fiesta Bowl 2012: 5 Best Players on the Field for Oklahoma State vs. Stanford

By (Featured Columnist) on January 2, 2012

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The most exciting game of the bowl season will be the Fiesta Bowl, and that is due to the amount of talented players that will be on the field.

The BCS National Championship Game should be very competitive, but if you want scoring, big plays and great offensive talent you should look no further than Oklahoma State vs. Stanford.

Oklahoma State comes in as the No. 2 scoring offense in the country, while Stanford is the ranked No. 7. Both teams average over 40 points per game and have not been held to fewer than 30 all season.

While there are quality defensive players on each side, neither team is known for its ability to stop the ball. For that reason Oklahoma State's defensive backs Brodrick Brown and Justin Gilbert were left off the list, as well as Stanford's Chase Thomas.

These men are good at what they do, but are not among the five best that will be playing in the game.

The stars will be on offense, and the Fiesta Bowl will prove it. 

5. Joseph Randle, RB Oklahoma State

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Brandon Weeden could be in this spot, but his struggles in the last couple of games allow Joseph Randle to pass the quarterback on this list.

The sophomore running back had 1,431 total yards from scrimmage this season, and was fourth in the nation with 23 rushing touchdowns.

Randle has great size at 6'1" and enough speed to break a few long runs. He is also a quality receiver out of the backfield.

Oklahoma State is one of the best passing teams in the country, but it would have had a tougher time without Joseph Randle this season.

4. Jonathan Martin, OT Stanford

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Jonathan Martin was selected to the All-Big 12 first-team for the second consecutive season, and will likely be moving on to the NFL along with the quarterback he protects.

Scouts Inc. have Martin as the second-best offensive lineman and the No. 6 overall prospect in the upcoming 2012 NFL draft.

His abilities as a pass-blocker has made life very easy for Andrew Luck, as he has only been sacked 21 times in three years as a starter.

3. David DeCastro, OG Stanford

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Along with Jonathan Martin, David DeCastro helps create the best offensive line in college football.

The offensive guard was a finalist for the Outland Trophy, given to the best interior lineman in the country. He was also selected to the first-team All-Big 12 squad for the second year in a row.

DeCastro is the consensus best guard in the 2012 NFL draft, and CBS Sports project him to be among the Top 10 prospects, a rare accomplishment at his position.

He is a big reason for Stanford being able to rush for over 200 yards per game this season.

2. Justin Blackmon, WR Oklahoma State

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Reese Strickland/Getty Images

In the past two seasons, few players have been more dominant at his position than Justin Blackmon.

This year, the receiver is fourth in the country with 113 receptions as well as 15 touchdowns. In 2010, Blackmon led all players with 20 touchdown catches as only a sophomore.

In December he became the second player ever to win two Fred Biletnikoff Trophies, an award given to the best receiver in college football.

Bleacher Report's own Matt Miller believes that Justin Blackmon will be the second overall pick of next spring's draft to the St. Louis Rams.

1. Andrew Luck, QB Stanford

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Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Was there really any question?

Thanks to the increased scouting and media attention, Andrew Luck is on pace to be the most hyped quarterback in the history of football.

The amazing thing is that it is all warranted.

Todd McShay and Mel Kiper agree that he is one of the most complete players to enter the NFL draft. He is above average in every trait from throwing accuracy to running ability to intelligence.

He not only is expected to be the first overall selection in the draft, but according to Adam Schefter a trade for him would cost "three first-round picks and two second-round picks."

The pressure will be on once Luck puts on an NFL jersey, but there is little doubt that he will impress against Oklahoma State in the 2012 Fiesta Bowl.

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