Fiesta Bowl 2014: Underrated Stars to Watch and Picks in Boise State vs. Arizona
The Fiesta Bowl is undoubtedly one of the best postseason games on the schedule, but the players on both teams are often overlooked.
Arizona was the only team to beat Oregon this season and kept the strong play up all year to win the Pac-12 South division. However, the only well-known competitor on the roster is All-American linebacker Scooby Wright.
Running back Jay Ajayi put up huge numbers this season, but plenty of talent on both sides of the ball helped Boise State earn a prestigious bowl bid.
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The game itself will be a good one, with Arizona using its explosive offense and physicality to try to earn a win. Boise State averages 39.8 points per game, but the lack of top competition throughout the year could lead to problems.
However, one of the bigger storylines is whether a few underrated stars can burst into the spotlight.
Fiesta Bowl Info
When: Wednesday, Dec. 31, at 4 p.m. ET
Where: University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
TV: ESPN
Predicted Score: Arizona 31, Boise State 27
Players to Watch
Nick Wilson, RB, Arizona
Although he is well known among Arizona fans, the college football world is still sleeping on running back Nick Wilson.
The freshman was limited for a good portion of the season, but he was a main reason the squad was so successful down the stretch. In consecutive wins over Utah and Arizona State, Wilson totaled 396 rushing yards and six touchdowns to help get the team into the Pac-12 title game.
Most of the time watching Wilson play, the reaction is similar to that of Roberto Payne of Wildcat Sports:
Meanwhile, he and quarterback Anu Solomon have created quite a tandem this year, noted by Blair Willis of ArizonaWildcats.com:
This means a lot more success could be on the way for this team in the future. At the very least, Wilson will showcase his ability to people who have yet to see what he can do.
Mickey Baucus, OT, Arizona
Arizona's offensive line was massively underrated this season. The unit cleared space for the rushing attack and kept quarterback Anu Solomon on his feet to help the offense be one of the best in the nation all year.
All of this starts with senior tackle Mickey Baucus, who has made 51 starts in a row for the Wildcats. Despite his success, he didn't even receive an honorable mention on the All-Pac-12 team.
Still, this doesn't seem to bother him. Baucus recently explained that he would prefer to remain anonymous, via ESPN.com's Kevin Gemmell:
"We're happy those guys are having success, because that means we're having success as a team. We just want to go out there and do our business. If an offensive lineman's name is getting called, it's usually because he gave up a sack or committed a penalty. We just like to do our stuff in the background and win football games.
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Baucus will stand out due to his size at 6'8", but his play against Boise State will also cause people to turn heads.
Kamalei Correa, DE, Boise State
If Boise State is going to slow down Arizona's No. 28-ranked passing offense, it will need to put pressure on Solomon. That is where Kamalei Correa will have to come in.
The sophomore defensive lineman has turned himself into one of the best pass-rushers in the nation, finishing the year with 10 sacks to go with 17 tackles for a loss. With a blocked kick also on his resume, it's clear he will do whatever it takes to help the team win.
Amazingly, Correa has only gotten better as the year has progressed, totaling 4.5 sacks in the final three games of the year.
While the true sophomore is not eligible for the NFL draft, it probably won't be long until scouts start taking a hard look at the talented player. He has the size and technique to make a real impact in each game, and the Wildcats are going to feel this right away.
Darian Thompson, S, Boise State
Not only did Darian Thompson finish second on the team with 61 tackles, but he made a major impact in the passing game by finishing with seven interceptions. Louisville's Gerod Holliman and Senquez Golson of Ole Miss were the only players in the nation with more.
Thompson has a knack for always being around the ball, and he can change any game with his turnovers.
While many players often luck into interceptions, the junior has earned all of his production this year. Mike Wittmann of Rivals.com notes the player has done a lot of work off the field to help himself:
With an extra few weeks to prepare for the matchup against Arizona, the safety could be even more dangerous on the field.
If the Wildcats don't know who he is by now, they will certainly be aware of No. 4 after the game.
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