2011-12 Bowls: Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl open thread (Mississippi St. v. Wake Forest)

by 3k on Dec 30, 2011 4:59 PM CST in 2012 NFL Draft

Do you like teams who win half their games? How about if one went 2-6 in SEC play? I knew we could be friends.

Now that we're cool, why not join me in this open thread while we watch football? I'll bring the queso, you bring the emotional baggage.

Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl (Miss St. v. Wake Forest), 6:40pm - ESPN

A couple references before some prospect notes:

- the watchlist

- Mocking the Draft notes

- the SBN StoryStream

- the EDSBS 35 for 35 show for several bowls including this one (with Holly Anderson)

- Bill C's stat-heavy preview and prediction

- For Whom the Cowbell Tolls, the SBN community for fans of Mississippi State

- Blogger So Dear, the SBN community for Wake fans

Rams fans need to take some long looks at a couple Bulldogs in this one, especially two true juniors on the defensive side: DT Fletcher Cox and CB Johnthan (not a typo) Banks. Over at MTD, Cox is ranked 10th among DTs and Banks is 15th on the cornerback board. Against the pass-heavy Deacons, both have a huge stage to showcase their skills. A couple offensive line prospects might be in play for the Rams on day 3 as well.

As for Wake, they aren't in a good spot right now, either draft-wise or in the ACC. Years of sub-par recruiting classes dropped the Deacons to a 3-9 team last year who responded well this year thanks to true sophomore Tanner Price's play at QB. Save for his dismal performance at UNC, he's been solid this year. Throw in a high quality pair of young cornerbacks (sophomore A.J. Marshall and redshirt frosh Merrill Noel) and you can see the nucleus moving forward. If there's any one player the Rams might want to single out from Wake, it's probably junior WR Chris Givens. He's been used in different ways, but he's as consistent a wideout as you'll find. In 12 games this year, he's record somewhere between 4 to 8 receptions every contest. So if you're at the book and want to throw some money around, a 6-reception night for Givens might make sense.

Rams player of interest: Fletcher Cox, Mississippi St. DT (Jr.)

Final score: Miss. St. 27, Wake Forest 24

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Comments

I RATHER WATCH

THE INSIGHT BOWL!!!!!

WE SUCK. THAT IS ALL.

by RAMSALLTHEWAY on Dec 30, 2011 6:27 PM CST via mobile reply actions

I have a feeling

you hate defense as much as you like caps lock. And yes, you hit the caps lock quadrafecta – title, comment, sig & user name. I salute you.

Turf Show Times editor, Mocking the Draft writer, and I gots that Twitter too, yo.
"my keyboard won't corporate, neighter will my smell check." - Knoxfan

by 3k on Dec 30, 2011 7:14 PM CST up reply actions

wacky end to the half

Miss St. in range though

Turf Show Times editor, Mocking the Draft writer, and I gots that Twitter too, yo.
"my keyboard won't corporate, neighter will my smell check." - Knoxfan

by 3k on Dec 30, 2011 7:13 PM CST reply actions

I'm sure it's in a post somewhere but I'm too lazy to look

Whats your opinion of Floyd, as relative to Blackmon and Jeffery and what pick we would need to trade down to to take him?

Note to Douglas M: Remember that 99% of what I say involves BS

by King Sam Rules! on Dec 30, 2011 7:20 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

talent-wise

I think his ceiling’s a bit lower, but he’s much more polished, especially deep over the middle. Yes, the character concerns are valid, but there are plenty of guys who play well enough to make those an afterthought.
Blackmon has some hands issues and won’t get as many free looks on routes 1-6, but he still has strong skills. And Alshon’s a bit of a mystery after this year. 90% of WRs with his skills would be able to produce more in his situation; that he hasn’t is a referendum on him, his QB, the offense or the coaching staff…or all four.

Turf Show Times editor, Mocking the Draft writer, and I gots that Twitter too, yo.
"my keyboard won't corporate, neighter will my smell check." - Knoxfan

by 3k on Dec 30, 2011 8:24 PM CST up reply actions