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2011-12 Bowls: Champs Sports Bowl (Florida St. v. Notre Dame) & Alamo Bowl (Washington v. Baylor) previews

Champs Sports Bowl logo

Champs Sports Bowl (Florida State v. Notre Dame), 5:30pm - ESPN

The sheer number of prospects on my watchlist should tell you how important this game is for NFL scouting. Whether you're looking for top offensive tackles (FSU's Zebrie Sanders & Andrew Datko who's hurt), WRs (Notre Dame's Michael Floyd) TEs (ND's Tyler Eifert) or pass rushers (FSU's Brandon Jenkins), there's a ton of day one and two talent in this game.

Rams fans may be particularly interested in the Seminole secondary where Greg Reid and Xavier Rhodes have combined to form one of the most successful secondaries in the country. Florida State's defense as a whole is pretty nasty, allowing the nation's fourth best defense in points allowed at just 15.2 per game.

Rams player of interest: Michael Floyd, Notre Dame WR (Sr.)

Final score: Florida State 27, Notre Dame 14

Valero Alamo Bowl logo

Valero Alamo Bowl (Washington v. Baylor), 9:00pm - ESPN

The headlines will all center on Robert Griffin III, this year's Heisman winner. Scouts have a good two dozen players to keep tabs on though.

Alameda Ta'amu may be the best defensive lineman you haven't heard of yet. A mammoth at 6'3" and nearly 340 lbs., Ta'amu, along with Memphis' Dontari Poe, could well be the top 3-4 NT in the draft. Ram fans will likely be more interested in the Huskies offensive prospects, including RB Chris Polk, G Senio Kelemete and WR Jermaine Kearse (one of my favorite sleepers). Kearse's production fell off with the departure of Jake Locker and the emergence of freshman TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins; he's still a solid route runner with a decent frame. Keep an eye on him at the combine.

Baylor has a standout WR prospect of its own in Kendall Wright, who Tevin mocked to the Rams recently. It sets up an interesting battle between one of the best offenses in the country in Baylor led by an absolutely phenomenal QB against a relatively mediocre Pac-12 team that just doesn't have the defensive depth needed to excel at anything.

Rams player of interest: Chris Polk, Washington RB (RS Jr.)

Final score: Baylor 55, Washington 24