Bowl Game Players To Watch. The Stars You Need To Know In Every Game – Page 39

Rose Bowl Game

Saturday, January 1
ESPN, 5:00 pm
Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA
Ohio State vs Utah

QB CJ Stroud, Ohio State: Brilliant in his first run at the starting job, the Heisman finalist was good right away and got better and better. One of the nation’s most efficient passers, he averaged close to ten yards per throw with 38 touchdowns and five picks, going seven of the last eight games without throwing an interception.

WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State: Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave are NFL-caliber receivers who had huge seasons, but it’s acknowledges that the 6-0, 198-pound sophomore has talent at a whole other level. Explosive enough to be used as a punt returner, he also led the way with 80 catches for 1,259 yards and six scores.

QB Cameron Rising, Utah: The offense was okay, but the team wasn’t winning. Rising took over the starting job in the third week of the season – a loss to San Diego State – but he turned into the catalyst for a Pac-12 Championship, finishing with 18 touchdown passes, just five picks, and with the ability to make things happen on the ground, too.

DE Mike Tafua, Utah: The latest in a long line of fantastic Utah pass rushers, Tafua was good from the start, but four years later he has become a consistent force. The 6-3, 250-pound hybrid came up with 48 tackles with 9.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss.

NEXT Allstate Sugar Bowl: Baylor vs Ole Miss

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