2010 College Football: 4 Unlikely Players Who Could Impact the BCS Title Game
The 2010 College Football season is quickly coming to a close.
Every week, teams are keeping themselves in the BCS title conversation...OR, eliminating themselves from any chance of "playing for it all" on January 10, 2011 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
There are still some huge games to be played that could change everything. The "Big Name" stars may not be the only one's who make or break their team's or other team's season.
The following four unlikely players could determine who plays for the BCS Title.
Colin Kaepernick
1 of 5
Boise State plays on the road Friday, November 26 against Nevada.
Colin Kaepernick, the Dual-threat QB for the Nevada Wolfpack could be the reason why the Broncos are not in the BCS Title game.
Kaepernick is having a tremendous year both through the air and on the ground.
He is has completed 166 of his 247 passes for 2161 yds. He has thrown 17 TD passes with only six interceptions.
Equally important is what Kaepernick does when he tucks the ball away and runs with it. He has 129 carries for 946 yards (fourth in the Nation for QB rushing yards behind Denard Robinson, Cam Newton, and Taylor Martinez ) and has 15 rushing TDs
Last year, Boise State beat Nevada in Boise 44-33. In that game, Kaepernick was 12/22 for 141 yds passing with three TDs and no interceptions. Where the Broncos did a great job was in holding him to 31 yards on 16 carries.
If Kaepernick can just have an average game on the 26th, the Broncos plans may change drastically.
Jacquizz Rodgers
2 of 5
Oregon continues to roll along, picking up win after win.
In addition to a home game against Arizona, the Ducks finish up their season in Corvalis against their cross-state rival, Oregon State.
Even though the Beavers are having a very up-and-down season, you can throw all of the records and stats out the window when these two teams play in "The Civil War," the seventh-oldest college football rivalry game in the United States.
Jacquizz Rodgers will have as much to say about the outcome of this game as anyone on the Oregon State sideline. He can break off runs from anywhere on the field.
Rodgers has 191 carries for 893 yards. He has 13 rushing TDs and two receiving TDs.
He is a game-changer. The Beavers will need all the cylinders firing on Saturday, December 4, if they are going to play the role of spoiler with Oregon.
Greg McElroy
3 of 5
As long as Cam Newton is lining up behind center for the Auburn Tigers, they have a good chance to win any game against any opponent.
But on Friday, November 26, Head Coach Gene Chizik will take his Tiger team to Tuscaloosa to play the defending National Champion, Alabama Crimson Tide.
Auburn has already clinched the SEC West Division. An Alabama win, however, could prevent the Tigers from going on to the BCS Title game, even if they win the SEC Championship game.
While Auburn's overall defense is fairly good, their pass defense is suspect. Currently, they are letting up 244 passing yards per game (No. 98 in the nation).
It's because of this, Greg McElroy could come up huge on his Senior Day at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
McElroy has had a solid senior season, completing 170 of 246 passes. He has 15 TDs and only five interceptions.
Though McElroy is not a QB that normally puts up big numbers, maybe his last regular season game will be the time for him to blow up and cause some problems for Auburn in their attempt to win it all.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Stephen Garcia
4 of 5
The South Carolina Gamecocks, with a win against Florida, have already clinched the SEC East Division. Auburn, by defeating Georgia, has already clinched the SEC West Division. These two teams will play for the SEC Championship on Dec 4 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.
Depending on what Auburn does against Alabama the week before will determine whether or not the Tigers will enter this game undefeated. If Alabama beats Auburn, it is absolutely necessary for Auburn to win to keep any National Title hopes alive.
The player who can ruin everything is Stephen Garcia, the Gamecocks QB. Garcia's stats are not eye-popping. He has completed 166 of 245 passes for 2221 yds and 14 TDs.
But he is a gamer. He played a fantastic game earlier this season when South Carolina beat then No.1 Alabama.
If he can come up with a similar performance against Auburn on the 4th, he will write his name in South Carolina Football history
Who Will Be Playing for the BCS Title?
5 of 5
I didn't include an unlikely player that would help knock TCU off-track simply because the Horned Frogs' only remaining opponent is New Mexico. With no disrespect to the Lobos football program, Gary Patterson and his Horned Frogs will destroy UNM and finish their season undefeated. Unfortunately, I think that they will still be passed over for the National Title game.
Oregon is currently No. 1 and Auburn is No. 2. I don't believe that both of them will be undefeated before Bowl Selections are made. That doesn't mean that if one of these teams loses a game, that they can't or won't make it to Glendale.
My prediction for the BCS Title game: Oregon vs Auburn (as long as Cam Newton stays eligible)
Winner and National Champ: Oregon Ducks
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
