The Royal Las Vegas Bowl features an intriguing matchup of an elite non power five team and a solid Pac 12 team. Colorado State versus Utah will be the true test this bowl season to see if some non power five teams can knock off teams from top conferences.
Colorado State
After producing tight end Crockett Gillmore last season, the Rams again have many intriguing prospects. The best prospect won’t be eligible until 2016 at the earliest. This is wide receiver Rashard Higgins, the best wide receiver you’ve never heard of. Higgins has been nearly as productive as Heisman trophy finalists Amari Cooper, accumulating 89 receptions fore 1640 yards and 17 touchdowns. Higgins was named a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award (natuion’s top receiver) and one of 15 Players to Watch for the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award. He has accounted for 42% of Colorado State’s receiving yards, which would be tied for the 17th highest score by a receiver since 2000. Higgins main problem is his weight. Although he has good size at 6’2″, Higgins weighs only 188 pounds. Keep Higgins in mind, as he is one of the top receiver prospects for the next few seasons.
Next up is redshirt junior running back Dee Hart. Coming out of high school, Hart was the number one running back in America, and the number 19 overall prospect (Rival’s.com). Hart transferred from Alabama this offseason after he was arrested for marijuana possession, and barely played at all. He transferred to Colorado State where his former offensive coordinator at Alabama, Jim McElwain, was the head coach. Hart was eligible to play immediately this season, and was extremely impressive. Hart had 187 carries for 1254 yards (6.7 ypc) and 16 touchdowns. He also contributed 17 catches for 185 yards and two touchowns. Considering Hart only started nine games, he had an amazing season. He has an ideal frame for a running back at 5’9″, 190 pounds. Don’t be surprised if Hart goes pro after this season, as McElwain the man who recruited him at both Alabama and Colorado State, has left to become the head coach of Florida. If Hart were to go pro, he could be a mid-round pick, and I would consider spending as high as an early second on him.
Finally, Colorado State is lead by it’s senior quarterback Garrett Grayson. Grayson has been sensational this season, completing 65% of his passed for 3,379 and 32 touchdowns to only six interception. Last season, his first as the full time starter, Grayson completed 62% of his passes for 3,696 and 23 touchdowns. He has prototypical size for a starting QB, as he is listed at 6’2″, 220 pounds. Grayson has a solid arm and is very accurate. He is athletic enough to move around the pocket well and escape pressure, and also can throw on the run very well. At worst, Grayson could be a career backup for a team. Grayson could also be an adequate starter, as he comes from a pro style offense and is an accurate quarterback with good leadership schools. He could be picked in anywhere from rounds two to five in the NFL draft, but I wouldn’t take him until the later rounds of your dynasty draft.
Utah
Utah has two junior’s to watch in the game: Quarterback Travis Wilson and running back Devonte Booker. Wilson has been inconsistent this season, but at 6’7″, 233 pounds he has amazing size and athleticism for the position. He is extremely inconsistent and raw, but if he develops as a passer he could be high pick in the 2016 draft.
Booker has played well this season, his first at Utah after transferring from a juco school, American River College. He sat out last season to finish his academic work, but in his sophomore season at American River College Booker was named first-team all-Valley Conference when he led the conference in rushing yards per game and touchdowns. He rushed for 1,472 yards and 15 touchdowns that season. This season, Booker has carried the ball 266 times for 1350 yards (5.1 ypc) and nine touchdowns for the Utes. Booker is a good size for a running back, at 5’11”, 203 pounds, but he could put on a little more weight. He has looked strong as a runner, but is also quick enough to make defenders miss, as shown in this 76 yard touchdown run against Washington State:
Booker is a solid running back who can easily work in a committee, and potentially be the lead back for a team.
Finally, the only 2015 draft eligible player to watch for the Utes won’t be playing in the game. WR Dres Anderson suffered a knee injury midway through the year and is out for the season. Last season, Anderson had 53 receptions for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns. He was expected to take a big step forward this year, but he only had 22 receptions for 355 yards and four touchdowns in seven games this season. At 6’2″ 190 pounds, Anderson has good size for a wide receiver, but only runs a 4.53 forty yard dash. Unless Anderson can participate in the combine and increase his draft stock, expect him to be a mid-late round pick. For dynasty rookie drafts, he should probably be a mid third round pick at the earliest, as he hasn’t been very productive in college and doesn’t really impress much with his 40 yard dash and other combine numbers.
Final Thoughts
I believe that Colorado State will eek out a close win in this game. The two teas are virtually equal, but Colorado State has the much more efficient offense. This is mainly due to the three prospects to watch, Garret Grayson, Dee Hart, and Rashard Higgins. These are three of the best players in the nation at their respective positions, and expect to hear their names being called on Sundays in the near future.
