Oregon vs. Ohio State: Underrated Players in College Football Championship 2015
Just a few weeks before the title showdown between the Oregon Ducks and Ohio State Buckeyes, it was the latter's Ezekiel Elliott who could have passed as underrated.
Perceptions change in a hurry on a national stage.
The sophomore rushed for 220 yards and a pair of scores against Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship then hit gazelle form once again against Alabama in the College Football Playoff semifinals thanks to 230 yards and two more scores.
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Elliott is now a household name, but there are others to know as the title encounter approaches. After all, it will only take one major performance on Jan. 12 to go down in history.
College Football Playoff National Championship Odds and Schedule
| January 12, 2015 | Oregon vs. Ohio State | 8:30 p.m. | ESPN | Oregon -7 |
Underrated Players to Watch
Troy Hill, CB, Oregon
Outside of Heisman winner Marcus Mariota, arguably no player is more important to Oregon than corner Troy Hill.
Hill is now fully out of Ifo Ekpre-Olomu's shadow after a season-ending injury to the Ducks' top corner. Now, the senior figures to be up to the task. After all, opposing offenses threw his way more often than not in an effort to avoid Ekpre-Olomu.
In the Rose Bowl against Florida State, Hill proved his mettle.
His assignment, Seminoles wideout Rashad Greene, caught just six passes for 59 yards. Impressive, but even he understands that Ohio State presents an even bigger challenge, per Fox Sports' Bruce Feldman:
The nation's fifth-ranked offense continues to thrive despite Cardale Jones—a third-string quarterback—under center.
If the Oregon defense is to fend off Ohio State and allow Mariota and the offense to distance themselves, Hill needs to play like a No. 1 corner once again.
Michael Bennett, DT, Ohio State
Containing the smashmouth Alabama attack is no easy accomplishment.
After doing so, Ohio State defensive tackle Michael Bennett turns his attention to Oregon's prolific offense.
Bennett, the owner of six sacks this season, is a major reason the Crimson Tide's lead backs were both held under the 100-yard mark and Ohio State was able to control the time-of-possession battle en route to a win. Ditto for Alabama quarterback Blake Sims' three interceptions while under pressure.
Things are more difficult against Oregon, though.
Mariota thrives under pressure and prefers to be on the move to open up things downfield. Bennett's ability to generate that unorthodox pressure up the middle, in theory, will flush Oregon's signal-caller into the arms of Joey Bosa and others.
Again, in theory.
Keanon Lowe, WR, Oregon
Sometimes stats are meaningless.
The nation outside of Eugene does not know who Keanon Lowe is. As a senior, Lowe has just 25 catches for 359 yards and four touchdowns, good for sixth on the team.
With Devon Allen out against Florida State, Lowe did not appear on the stat sheet while Darren Carrington stepped up with seven catches for 165 yards and two touchdowns.
Despite this, Mariota says the senior's impact comes elsewhere—on and off the field.
"I think it really, honestly, starts with Keanon Lowe," Mariota said, per ESPN.com's Chantel Jennings. "Keanon taught a lot of these guys what they're doing out there on the field, and they all look to him as their leader."
Of course, Lowe is capable of major performances. Look back to mid-November, when he caught five passes for 104 yards and a pair of touchdowns in a narrow seven-point victory against Washington State.
Perhaps the senior has saved his best for last.
Jeff Heuerman, TE, Ohio State
What, forget about Ohio State senior tight end Jeff Heuerman already?
Heuerman owns just 17 catches for 207 yards and a pair of scores this year, a big reduction from his 26 for 466 and four in 2013. Against Oregon, though, the Naples, Florida, native might take on more responsibility than ever as Hill and the Ducks secondary shuts down outside weapons.
While a non-factor against Alabama thanks to an injury, Heuerman sure sounds as if he will be ready for the title game:
The Oregon defense did not have to deal with Florida State's Nick O'Leary much at all thanks to injury, which did much to help the Ducks.
Monday, it is a safe bet Jones will look to his safety blanket often to move the chains and in the red zone. So long as he is healthy, Heuerman is reliable enough to make a few game-changing plays.
Betting information courtesy of Odds Shark. Statistics and info courtesy of ESPN unless otherwise specified.
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