Rose Bowl 2016: Underrated Stars to Watch and Picks in Stanford vs. Iowa
The College Football Playoff is in just its second year and is in a very basic format. Four teams are invited, and those teams play two semifinal games whose winners meet in the championship game.
So far, so good. Ohio State was the deserving national champion a year ago, and Clemson, Alabama, Michigan State and Oklahoma appear to be the four teams that should be in the playoffs this year.
But if there were expanded playoffs, they would almost certainly include sixth-ranked Stanford (11-2) and fifth-ranked Iowa (12-1).
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Those two teams are not crying over their status, and they will meet in the Rose Bowl.
While this is not a playoff game, this is one that college football fans will want to see.
Both of these teams have some key players who have not gotten the attention they rightfully deserve.
In this piece, we will look at those players who may not be household names but will likely have a big impact on this game.
Iowa's underrated players
QB C.J. Beathard
The junior signal-caller may not have earned superstar status, but he has been a consistent performer from start to finish this season. Beathard has good mobility in the pocket, and he can buy time, allowing his receivers extra steps to get open. Beathard has proved to be adept at reading the defense and getting the ball to his best players.
Beathard completed 202 of 329 passes for 2,570 yards with 15 touchdowns and just four interceptions this season. His ability to avoid turnovers was essential in the Hawkeyes' 12-win season, and if he can avoid them against the Cardinal, Iowa will have an excellent chance at picking up the Rose Bowl victory. Beathard also rushed for 270 yards and six touchdowns.
RB Jordan Canzeri
Canzeri had an excellent season for the Hawkeyes, gaining 976 yards, averaging 5.5 yards per carry and scoring 12 rushing touchdowns. Canzeri has shocking speed once he gets into the open field, and Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz is hoping that Canzeri can be a big part of the game plan.
Canzeri suffered a leg injury in the Big Ten Championship Game against Michigan State, and his availability for the Rose Bowl has not been determined.
RB LeShun Daniels Jr.
Daniels will get his carries whether Canzeri can play or not, but he will figure much more heavily in the Iowa offensive attack if Canzeri is limited or unavailable. Daniels rushed for 609 yards and averaged 4.5 yards per carry while pounding the ball into the end zone eight times.
WR Matt VandeBerg
Beathard likes to spread the ball around to a number of his receivers, but VandeBerg is the pass-catcher who is likely to make the biggest difference for the Hawkeyes. VandeBerg caught 61 passes for 639 yards and three touchdowns. VandeBerg has fine hands, and he can absorb contact and remain on his feet.
Stanford's underrated players
QB Kevin Hogan
The Cardinal were not just a one-man team. Christian McCaffrey may have been a Heisman finalist, and he clearly had a brilliant year with 1,847 rushing yards, but he was not the whole show for Stanford.
Hogan did an outstanding job under center, and he has shown he can make the big throws at the key moments. Hogan completed 194 of 283 passes for 2,644 yards with 24 TD passes and just seven interceptions. Hogan also ran for 312 yards and five touchdowns, and his ability to convert third downs with his ability to run was vital for the Cardinal.
If Stanford is going to beat Iowa on New Year's Day, Hogan must have an excellent game.
RB Remound Wright
Some players just have a knack for scoring. Wright played that role for the Cardinal, as he did a superb job as the team's short-yardage back. The 5'9", 205-pound Wright carried 77 times for 209 yards and he scored 13 touchdowns. When Stanford gets close to the goal line, look for Wright to get the call and move the pile.
WR Michael Rector
Hogan likes to spread the ball around, and while McCaffrey received more of his throws than anyone else, Rector caught 32 passes for 486 yards and five touchdowns. The 6'1", 189-pound senior showed the ability to get open and make the tough catch in traffic.
He played a vital role for the Cardinal when Hogan went to the air and he needed a big play. Rector averaged 15.2 yards per catch.
Prediction: Stanford 28, Iowa 24
The Hawkeyes were an excellent team all season, but they benefited from playing in the Big Ten West. It can be argued that they did not have any major tests until they faced Michigan State in the Big Ten title game. The Hawkeyes took it to the wire, but they couldn't stop the Spartans at the end.
We see the same scenario playing out here. Look for Hogan and McCaffrey to take over in the fourth quarter and lead the Cardinal to the Rose Bowl victory.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
