College Football Playoff 2014-15: Schedule, Under-the-Radar Players to Watch
Just imagine how much less exciting this season’s college football postseason would be if we were still stuck with the BCS instead of a playoff.
Oregon and Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota would likely be forced to watch a national championship between undefeated Florida State and the SEC champion, Alabama. Ohio State wouldn’t get to play underdog with a third-string quarterback. Most importantly, fans wouldn’t get to watch two do-or-die games featuring some of the nation’s most prestigious programs.
While the star players are bound to play a major role in the outcome of these two playoff games, the under-the-radar players will also be asked to step up. After all, it is difficult to envision a victory for any of these squads without a balanced attack and team-wide effort.
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With that in mind, here is a look at the schedule and some under-the-radar players to watch in the two College Football Playoff contests.
Rose Bowl
Matchup: Oregon vs. Florida State
Date: Thursday, Jan. 1
Time: 5 p.m. ET
Place: Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California
TV: ESPN
Sugar Bowl
Matchup: Ohio State vs. Alabama
Date: Thursday, Jan. 1
Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
Place: Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana
Channel: ESPN
Under-the-Radar Players to Watch
RB Curtis Samuel, Ohio State
Ohio State boasted the nation’s fourth-highest scoring offense and 11th-best rushing attack largely because of running back Ezekiel Elliott and his 1,402 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. However, he is far from a one-man show in the backfield.
Freshman Curtis Samuel finished with 376 rushing yards and six touchdowns and brings a speed element to the game that Elliott doesn’t. The Buckeyes used Samuel a number of times throughout the season in the speed-option look, and he could be critical in the efforts to push the tempo against an Alabama defense that struggled against the no-huddle attack of Auburn in the Iron Bowl.
Offensive coordinator Tom Herman discussed Samuel’s impact, via Ari Wasserman of Cleveland.com:
"I was very surprised in the spring. I think (H-Back) was where we ultimately saw him transitioning just because of his body type and skillset, speed, quickness and ball skills.
But he's a legitimate tailback. He has great vision, great explosiveness through holes. He probably still needs to gain a little bit of weight as he continues to grow up, but we're very happy that revelation was made in spring ball. That gives us another quality tailback.
"
Samuel scored two touchdowns in the Big Ten Championship Game against Wisconsin and will be an important change-of-pace back against Alabama’s strong defense. He can also keep Elliott fresh for the fourth quarter against a physical defensive front.
WR DeAndrew White, Alabama
Ohio State is going to devote the lion’s share of the attention in the secondary to stopping Amari Cooper, and why shouldn’t it? Cooper finished with 1,656 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns on the season and played his way to New York as a Heisman Trophy finalist.
Don’t be surprised if the Buckeyes use bracket coverage on Cooper with cornerback Doran Grant and safety Vonn Bell, which would put the other receivers in single-coverage situations against the rest of the secondary. DeAndrew White took advantage of similar looks from Missouri in the SEC Championship Game to the tune of 101 receiving yards and a touchdown catch.
He was the second-leading receiver for the Crimson Tide on the season with 439 yards but appeared to turn the corner in that title game. That is good news for Alabama considering White dealt with injuries earlier in the season.
The Buckeyes are going to do everything they can to at least slow Cooper down, which means White may need to step up in the passing game.
K Roberto Aguayo, Florida State
Kicker Roberto Aguayo may not be under the radar among Florida State fans or even hardcore college football followers, but casual fans tuning in to the initial College Football Playoff probably won't be familiar with the kickers on the teams.
They will be after the Rose Bowl game if Aguayo has his way.
Florida State has made a living off surviving close games this season, and it would not be a surprise if the Rose Bowl came down to the final minutes as well. Kickers can often make the difference between a win and a loss (ask Oregon fans about some of Alejandro Maldonado’s misses from years past), and the Seminoles may just have the best in the business.
ESPN’s Andrea Adelson was certainly surprised when Aguayo wasn’t completely recognized after the season:
Aguayo was a perfect 53-of-53 on extra points and finished 25-of-27 on field goals, including a 3-of-3 mark on kicks from more than 50 yards. If the Rose Bowl comes down to a final, long kick, Florida State will be in perfect position.
WR Darren Carrington, Oregon
Oregon has so many weapons around Mariota that it is sometimes hard to keep everyone straight, especially since so many players seem almost interchangeable in the fast-paced attack.
Royce Freeman led the team in rushing yards and touchdowns, Byron Marshall led the squad in receiving yards and Devon Allen mixed in a team-high seven critical touchdown catches. Don’t overlook receiver Darren Carrington, though, who should see single coverage throughout the Rose Bowl.
Florida State will have to devote extra defenders to stopping the run and possibly put a spy on Mariota, which will open up Carrington for underneath routes. If he gets the ball in his hands, he can make defenders miss and turn a seven-yard route into a game-breaking touchdown.
There are so many weapons for the Ducks that the Seminoles are going to have to pick their poison at times. Chances are, they won’t pay as much attention to Carrington as Freeman or Marshall, which could open up the receiver for some big plays down the stretch.
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