Underrated Players

Here are the seven players I think are most underrated* (in order of underratedness; yes, that's a word).

Sean Smith, CB, Utah (mock draft position: 57): Smith has been a favorite of mine for some time. He has great height (6'2") and speed (4.4 40). Best of all, he's only been playing the position for two years meaning there's a ton of upside left. I would not be shocked to hear his name get called in the first round. Teams in need of secondary help would be foolish to pass on him.

Juaquin Iglesias, WR, Oklahoma (138): To me, Iglesias is a better prospect than Malcolm Kelly, a former teammate of his who went in round two last year. Iglesias was QB Sam Bradford's favorite target this season (74 catches, 1,150 yards, 10 TD). A few weeks back, he was being discussed as an early second round possibility. Now, McShay has him going early in round five? Not happening.

Javon Ringer, RB, Michigan State (137): Maybe I'm a sucker for college productivity, but if you lead the NCAA in rushing touchdowns and finish in the top five in rushing yards and you play in the defensive-focused Big 10, I think you should get a little more respect. Ringer should see his name called in round three, not round five.

Jarrett Dillard, WR, Rice (133): Dillard hauled in 55 touchdowns over the last three seasons. Sure, he's a bit undersized and lacks top end speed, but his productivity and toughness (hat tip, Jay Bilas) cannot and should not be underestimated.

Gerald McRath, LB, Southern Miss (192): The combine-like measurables may not be there but McRath recorded 137 tackles despite playing behind a woeful defensive front. has the theme of productivity set in yet?

Percy Harvin, WR, Florida (27): Three years ago, Reggie Bush was the second overall selection. Harvin is the same player. Getting him 25 picks later wouldn't happen, but if it did, it's a steal.

Rey Maualuga, LB, USC (28): Possibly the second best linebacker in this year's class. His size:speed ratio is unparalleled. He's a beast with a mean streak and should be picked in the top 15.


*Rated based on Todd McShay's latest seven-round mock draft published on April 21st.

Five Minute Guide to the BCS Championship Game

Breakdown

Momentum
Advantage: Push. The Florida Gators (12-1) come in to tonight's BCS Championship Game riding a nine game winning streak. The Oklahoma Sooners (12-1) have rolled off seven consecutive victories.


Offense
Advantage: Oklahoma. The Sooners set an NCAA record for points scored this year. They scored at least 35 points in every game and at least 45 points in every game but two. OU comes in averaging over 62 points per game over their last six games.


Defense
Advantage: Florida. The Gators have only give up more than three touchdowns once all year. It happened in the only game they lost (Ole Miss 31-30).


Strength of Schedule
Advantage: Oklahoma. Florida played a weak schedule. On Opening Day, Florida's schedule looked daunting. Looking back, every team the Gators defeated except Alabama had a down year. Oklahoma's loss was a respectable one (neutral site against Texas). The Sooners beat three of the nation's top 15 teams.


Special Teams
Advantage: Florida. Florida's Brandon James is a game-changing return man. Oklahoma's best kick returner, Demarco Murray, will not play.


Coaching / Karma
Advantage: Oklahoma. Urban Meyer preposterously used three timeouts in the last minute of a game against Georgia earlier this season, a game Florida won 49-10. Those things come back to haunt you. Also, Stoops is due to win another big game.


Injuries
Advantage: Florida. I'll take 90% of Percy Harvin over 0% of Demarco Murray.


Speed
Advantage: Push. These are arguably the two fastest teams in the nation.


Heisman Jinx

Advantage: Push. Both teams have Heisman-winning quarterbacks.


Other
-Tim Tebow has completed 88% of the passes he has thrown to tight end Aaron Hernandez.
-Juaquin Iglesias is the best player you've never heard of.


The Pick
Oklahoma 36, Florida 32. I'm tempted to take the Sooners in a semi-rout (two touchdowns or more), but I think the Gators make a late run. I love what OU does on offense, and I think they can match up well enough to contain Florida's spread. Either way, I'm taking the +4.5.

Nine Predictions for '09

1. Cleveland will stand atop the sports world in 2009 as the Cavaliers and Indians win the NBA Title and World Series, respectively.

2. The Tennessee Titans will win the Super Bowl (although my bank account wouldn't mind seeing the Chargers or Vikings prove me wrong); the Montreal Canadiens will take home the Stanley Cup.

3. College championships will be won by the following teams:
-Football: Oklahoma Sooners (preview to come this week)
-Basketball: Pittsburgh Panthers
-Baseball: Vanderbilt Commodores

4. After Jeff Moorad's offer for the San Diego Padres falls through, a consortium led by a no-name blogger from New York will swoop in to purchase the team.

5. Oklahoma's Sam Bradford will be selected first overall by the Detroit Lions in April's NFL Draft (first Mock Draft to follow this week). Bradford will lead the Lions to at least as many victories as the team had in 2008, zero.

6. Brett Favre will retire. For good.

7. Matt Holliday will be the hottest name at the MLB Trading Deadline but will not get dealt. He will then be the most coveted free agent at year end (article to follow in the coming days).

8. ESPN will finally come to its senses and fire Stephen A. Smith. The sports world will rejoice as one.

9. Much to the chagrin of loyal reader georgekaplan, Shawn Kemp's name will not appear again in this blog during 2009.



This blog was created to form a medium of exchange where sports fans can share ideas, beliefs, and opinions. The creator has written for a number of websites and has appeared on ESPN Radio as an NFL Draft, MLB Trade Deadline and Fantasy Sports Analyst. He can be reached at mjs3131@hotmail.com