Bowl Games 2010-2011: 25 Players Who Need to Step Up Their Game
Every year in college football there are a number of players who enter the year with big expectations but fail to live up to those expectations. A guy like Washington quarterback Jake Locker comes to mind this year.
There are also players who come from nowhere to have a really great year. Someone like Auburn's Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Cam Newton is an obvious example of that statement.
In the college football bowl season, there are a number of players that will have to step their game up in order for their teams to be successful.
It could be someone who has been performing all year long and will have to take his game to another level. It could be someone who had expectations coming into the year but didn't quite live up to those expectations. It could even be someone who started the year strong and limped to the finish line.
Here are the top 25 players that will have to step up their game in order for their teams to be successful during this college bowl season.
Jake Locker, QB, Washington
1 of 25
Washington had high expectations this year with quarterback Jake Locker returning for his senior season. Those expectations never materialized, and Locker did more harm to his draft status than good.
He will go against a Nebraska defense that completely dominated him the first time they played this season. In that game he went 4-of-20 with two interceptions in a 56-21 loss.
If the Huskies want to have a chance against a far superior team, Locker will have to have an infinitely better game this time around.
Taylor Martinez, QB, Nebraska
2 of 25
For a while this year Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez looked like a possible Heisman Trophy candidate. He got hurt against Missouri in October and never looked like the same player.
He was never a great passer, but he was effective before the injury. After the injury his passing really suffered; his speed was gone too, and so was Nebraska’s offensive dynamism. They need Martinez to be healthy for this team to be successful.
Michigan Wolverines Defense
3 of 25
The Wolverines' once proud football tradition has fallen on hard times the last three years. They made it back to a bowl game for the first time in three years, but they got by on a wing and a prayer.
Quarterback Denard Robinson did a number of great things for this team, but he couldn’t play defense. Michigan finished ninth in total offense and 102nd in points allowed.
For them to have a chance against a good Mississippi State team, that whole defense will have to step up.
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Jordan Jefferson, QB, LSU
4 of 25
LSU is led by its defense; they live and die based on how that unit performs.
Quarterback Jordan Jefferson needs to step up and support the Tigers' good rushing game. They finished 107th in pass yards per game, and Jefferson disappeared in a number of games this year.
Zach Frazer, QB, UConn
5 of 25
Connecticut is completely outmatched in the Fiesta Bowl against Oklahoma. If they want to have a chance, Huskies quarterback Zach Frazer needs to establish a passing game—no easy feat since UConn ranked 112th in the country in passing.
Oklahoma was all over Nebraska in the Big 12 title game because the Huskers had no passing game after the first quarter.
DeMarco Murray, RB, Oklahoma
6 of 25
Oklahoma running back DeMarco Murray’s production has really slipped since his freshman year in 2007. He ran for over 1,100 yards this year, but he doesn’t have that explosive element that he showed in 2007-08.
The Sooners offense is led by quarterback Landry Jones, but a good performance by Murray will make his day easier.
Andy Dalton, QB, TCU
7 of 25
TCU is known for its defense, which is the best scoring defense in the country (11.4 per game). They have a great running game, but Wisconsin is hands down the best team that the Horned Frogs have played this year. The Badgers have a terrific offense and a strong defense.
If TCU can open things up with Dalton, who has struggled at times this year, they would be a good bet to win the Rose Bowl.
Chris Relf, QB, Mississippi State
8 of 25
Mississippi State has had a tremendous turnaround under coach Dan Mullen, and a victory in a New Year’s Day bowl game would be the capper to a tremendous season.
They play a porous Michigan defense, and quarterback Chris Relf could have a huge day against the Wolverines. The Bulldogs have been a running team this year, but don’t be surprised if they try to open the pass up to try to keep up with Denard Robinson.
Matthew McGloin, QB, Penn State
9 of 25
Matthew McGloin took over as the Nittany Lions' starting quarterback in mid-October with mixed results. He looked good in games against Michigan, Northwestern and IU. He didn’t look quite so good against Michigan State and Ohio State, two teams that won 22 games combined.
It will be interesting to see which McGloin shows up against a Florida team that will be playing with all kinds of emotion for Urban Meyer.
Kirk Cousins, QB, Michigan State
10 of 25
The Spartans finished the year 11-1 and tied for the Big Ten title with Kirk Cousins under center every game. However, he had a number of times where he appeared lost in some games.
If Michigan State wants to break through Alabama’s defense, Cousins will need to have a big game.
Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
11 of 25
The 2009 Heisman Trophy winner started the season injured, missed the first two games of the year, came back and made a big impression upon his return. However, he has not looked like the same running back.
He has been nonexistent in a number of games this year, and Trent Richardson has overtaken Ingram as the best running back on the Crimson Tide.
He will want to make a good impression in what could be his final college game.
Evan Watkins, QB, Northwestern
12 of 25
When Dan Persa got hurt, the Wildcats' season fell on the shoulders of freshman quarterback Evan Watkins. He struggled in the two games that he started and will look to give Northwestern some hope going into 2011.
Fortunately he will be going up against a Texas Tech team that has dealt with a number of injuries this year and could be ripe for the picking.
Stephen Garcia, QB, South Carolina
13 of 25
The Gamecocks surpassed expectations this year, winning nine games and making it to the SEC title game.
Quarterback Stephen Garcia has been very hot and cold this season. He needs to find some consistency against a good Florida State defense for Steve Spurrier to be successful in his first game against FSU in 10 years.
Chris Thompson, RB, Florida State
14 of 25
Seminoles running back Chris Thompson had a very solid season, averaging 6.5 yards per carry. However, he had a few games where averaged 2.5 yards per carry or fewer.
For Florida State to finish Jimbo Fisher’s first season successfully, Thompson will need to be the guy that averaged nearly 12 yards per carry against Miami.
Jeff Godfrey (not pictured), QB, UCF
15 of 25
Central Florida put together a very good season, finishing the regular season ranked in the Top 25. They have a really good running game and a very stingy defense. They are playing a Georgia team that finished the season on a roll, winning five of its last seven games.
UCF quarterback Jeff Godfrey will have to establish a passing game to open up the offense and challenge the Bulldogs' soft pass defense.
Jacory Harris, QB, Miami
16 of 25
Miami entered the year with high expectations; so did their quarterback Jacory Harris. Neither one lived up to expectations. Harris remained turnover-prone and killed Miami in a number of games as a result.
They are going against a pretty solid Notre Dame defense in the Sun Bowl. Harris will need to control his turnovers to give the Hurricanes a chance to win.
Cierre Wood, RB, Notre Dame
17 of 25
Notre Dame goes into the Sun Bowl on a pretty good roll, with three straight wins after starting quarterback Dayne Crist was lost for the year with an injury. Their defense has performed a lot better these last three games and made new quarterback Tommy Rees’ life easy.
Against a good Miami defense, Notre Dame will need to establish the run with Cierre Wood to open up the passing game for Rees and the Irish.
Ricky Stanzi, QB, Iowa
18 of 25
Every year Iowa is expected to contend for a Big Ten title, and every year they fall well short of those expectations.
Quarterback Ricky Stanzi has been a big reason for that. He will put up overall solid numbers every year, but there are a number of times every game when he will do something that leaves you shaking your head.
If Iowa wants to beat Missouri, Stanzi will need to have a good game.
Knile Davis, RB, Arkansas
19 of 25
Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett gets all the publicity, but if the Razorbacks want to be successful in their first ever BCS game, their running game has to be a big focus.
Ohio State can make good quarterbacks look very bad, so establishing the run with Knile Davis will be the key.
Scott Tolzien, QB, Wisconsin
20 of 25
Wisconsin has lived and died with its running game this year, but it hasn't played a defense like TCU’s before.
If TCU is able to neutralize the Badgers running attack, it will fall on Scott Tolzien to lead the Badgers offense. He will have to prove that he can run this offense against arguably the best defense in the country.
Jayron Hosley, DB, Virginia Tech
21 of 25
He is a great cornerback on one of the better defensive teams in the country. Going up against Stanford and Andrew Luck, the Hokies will need their cornerbacks to be able to stay with the Cardinal receivers.
Hosley has the talent and skill to do that. If he can be a disruptive force in the game, the Hokies can pull off the upset.
Stepfan Taylor, RB, Stanford
22 of 25
Stanford’s success this year started with quarterback Andrew Luck. His ability opened up everything on the offense, including the running game. Virginia Tech has a good defense and a really good secondary, so Taylor and the Stanford running attack will be the key to Stanford winning the Orange Bowl.
Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
23 of 25
Nick Fairley is a top NFL prospect, so it’s hard to say that he has to step up, but that’s what needs to happen against Oregon.
He is a big defensive tackle right in the middle of the line, and if he makes his presence known in a big way, the Oregon running attack could be in serious trouble.
Michael Clay, LB, Oregon
24 of 25
Being able to contain Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton is a problem that no team has been able to figure out this year. If Oregon wants to do that, it will need to have a “spy” whose only purpose is to cover Newton if and when he leaves the pocket.
Michael Clay is the Ducks' best linebacker and will be the best option that Chip Kelly has to contain Newton. Clay will have to play the game of his life if the Ducks hope to stop Newton and Auburn.
Darron Thomas, QB, Oregon
25 of 25
Oregon’s offense is as explosive as any unit in the country. They are led by Heisman Trophy finalist LaMichael James, who ran for over 1,600 yards this season.
However, the key for Oregon’s offense against Auburn will be quarterback Darron Thomas.
He has gotten better as a passer as the year has gone on and will have to continue that growth in the National Championship Game. If the pocket breaks down he can take off and run, but establishing his throwing in the game will be the key.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
