Orange Bowl 2014: Top Storylines and More for Mississippi State vs. Georgia Tech

While much of the attention surrounding college football centers on the inaugural four-team playoff, there are still four New Year's Six bowl games that do not have playoff implications this season.  The 2014 Orange Bowl is arguably the most exciting of those bowls, pitting two of the biggest surprises this season in Mississippi State and Georgia Tech.

The Bulldogs and Yellow Jackets have followed eerily similar paths as non-traditional powers that rose into the Top 10 before ultimately falling short against conference Goliaths.  However, these 2014 bridesmaids could turn into trendy 2015 playoff picks, as both feature young rosters primed to build upon their breakthroughs this fall.

Let's take a look at both the present and future surrounding the two squads in the Orange Bowl on Dec. 31 (8 p.m. in Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida), highlighting the game's top storylines as well as the best NFL prospects on each team.

Top Storylines

Will MSU Stop the Option Again?

Arguably the pinnacle of the Bulldogs' season was their 38-23 romp over the high-powered Auburn Tigers, a win that sent MSU to the No. 1 ranking.  The Tigers led the SEC with 258.5 rushing yards per game this season, but while Auburn experienced first-half rushing success at Oxford, it ultimately compiled just 10 points and 172 total yards after halftime, in large part because of MSU's ability to hold down Nick Marshall and Co. on the ground.

However, Georgia Tech presents an even more daunting monster, with Paul Johnson's famed triple-option attack powering the Yellow Jackets to a whopping 333.6 rushing yards per game and 41 touchdowns—marks that ranked third and fourth, respectively, in the FBS.  As the ACC championship illustrated, even an uber-athletic defense like Florida State's cannot utilize its physical advantage without the supreme gap and containment discipline that defending the option requires.

Apart from Auburn, the Bulldogs have not really faced an offense like Tech's.  MSU was largely excellent defending the run this year, allowing just 3.7 yards per attempt, the 31st-best mark in the nation.  With a front seven that includes four senior starters, the veteran defense has held its own against some premier SEC running backs.

For what it's worth, defending the option largely comes down to prep time.  Paul Johnson-coached teams are just 1-5 in bowl games, in part because the long layoff has allowed teams to stymie his offenses to 14.8 points per game in those contests.  Like most Georgia Tech opponents, Mississippi State holds the physical edge and will need to play with nearly flawless discipline to contain one of the nation's most unique offenses.

Who Wins in the Red Zone?

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An underrated storyline will unfold when the two offenses enter the red zone.  While Georgia Tech is stingy, ranking 26th in opponent touchdown percentage, the Bulldogs lead the nation in red-zone defense, having allowed offenses to score touchdowns on a meager 37.5 percent of their opportunities.

This is a matchup the Yellow Jackets probably need to win to hang with favored Mississippi State.  Georgia Tech has had issues with its pass rush, as its 4.47 percent sack percentage ranks 101st in the FBS, per TeamRankings.com.  Tech has won all six games in which it has accrued two or more sacks. But as Jameis Winston illustrated, Tech's defense is particularly vulnerable when opposing quarterbacks are given plenty of time in the pocket.

Dak Prescott is always dangerous with his feet, but the Mississippi St. quarterback will need to revert to his early-season form, when he carved up defenses through the air as well.  Based on raw QBR, Prescott's two worst games this season were easily the final two losses against Alabama and Ole Miss, in which he combined to complete 57.6 percent of his passes. 

Georgia Tech's low-variance rushing attack defies statistical comparison to the other offenses MSU has faced this season, as it's not as concerned with the smaller red-zone passing windows as most offenses.  That's a large X-factor that could swing this game, but assuming the Bulldogs' top-ranked red-zone defense doesn't regress too much, Tech will need to fluster Prescott to keep Mississippi State's offensive output down.

Top NFL Prospects

Benardrick McKinney, LB, Mississippi State

The junior McKinney led the Bulldogs with 61 tackles en route to a second-team All-SEC selection.  As the leader of a veteran defense, the underclassman is expected to turn pro after the season, according to head coach Dan Mullen:

A prototypical "Mike" linebacker at 6'5" and 245 pounds, McKinney's floor is probably a two-down run-stuffing linebacker.  However, as NFL.com's Chase Goodbread relays, some scouts see a rare size-speed combination that has drawn comparisons to Dallas Cowboys linebacker Rolando McClain:

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But here's what one NFL personnel executive will see: "Rolando McClain or a poor man's Brian Urlacher."

That's how an AFC college scouting director described McKinney to NFL Media's Albert Breer. McKinney (6-5, 250 pounds) is roughly the same size as McClain, the former Alabama star who has revitalized his NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys.

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It's too early in the draft process to suggest where McKinney will end up, though optimistic projections have seen him as a potential late first- or early second-round pick.  Given that Tech's option attack will test his range, reaction, discipline and tackle form, McKinney will receive an invaluable opportunity to shine against an offense tailor-made to highlight his strengths.

Darren Waller, WR, Georgia Tech

It's probably surprising to hear that Georgia Tech's top 2015 draft prospect is a wide receiver, but the 6'5" Waller has plenty of potential as a perimeter split end threat, as these fade routes illustrate:

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2Q GT Darren Waller 7 Yd pass from Justin Thomas (Harrison Butker Kick) Video - via @SportsCenter http://t.co/cT5BEIU7aU

— #TogetherWeSwarm (@JustCallMeKC91) November 29, 2014"

Of course, straight 9-routes are essentially the entirety of what Waller has run in the unsophisticated Tech passing offense, making him a raw late-round prospect.  However, that tantalizing upside makes him a nice low-risk, high-reward investment for Day 3, as his ESPN scouting report suggests a player who should make some big plays vertically (subscription required):

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Prototypical vertical threat with rare size-speed combination. Doesn't have elite second gear but smooth strider that can climb over top of coverage and stretch field when gets clean release. Can produce after the catch despite average burst. Flashes ability to make first defender miss and strong enough to slip out of would-be arm tackles. Faster than quick and a threat to rip off chunk of yards if allowed to build steam.

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For his career, Waller has averaged 18.6 yards per catch on 41 receptions.  Among receivers with at least that many catches in that three-year stretch, Waller ranks tied for 21st in yards per catch, per Sports-Reference.com.  Considering that Georgia Tech has produced other physically freakish wide receivers, Waller should not be so quickly dismissed simply because of the Jackets' primitive passing game.