Each week, FanHouse's Rollercoaster Report will take a look at several NFL Draft prospects to find out which players' stocks are on the rise, and who's stuck in freefall.
More than 300 prospects begin workouts at the NFL scouting combine on Saturday in hopes of improving their draft stock. But what about the guys that didn't get the invitation to Indianapolis? The event features the best of the best, of course, but that does not mean there's no value to be found in the players staying home this weekend.
After the jump, a breakdown of five college stars that could hear their names called in April, despite being left off the Indianapolis invite list, and another handful who missed out on the combine for a reason.
Each week, FanHouse's Rollercoaster Report will take a look at several NFL Draft prospects to find out which players' stocks are on the rise, and who's stuck in freefall.
More than 300 prospects begin workouts at the NFL scouting combine on Saturday in hopes of improving their draft stock. But what about the guys that didn't get the invitation to Indianapolis? The event features the best of the best, of course, but that does not mean there's no value to be found in the players staying home this weekend.
After the jump, a breakdown of five college stars that could hear their names called in April, despite being left off the Indianapolis invite list, and another handful who missed out on the combine for a reason.
"It's always been a dream to me to go to the NFL," Britt said at a press conference at Rutgers' Hale Center. "This year was my gateway, my opening."
Britt finished the 2008 season with 87 catches for 1371 yards. In his three years at Rutgers, he had 14 100-yard games, and with 3,043 career receiving yards, holds the Big East record. Despite Britt's fantastic numbers this year, and being the best receiver in the Big East, Britt was not even a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award.
The decision for Britt to go pro was not surprising, despite not being a first round draft pick. His numbers are almost sure to suffer as Rutgers will be breaking in a new quarterback next year because of Mike Teel's graduation. There is no clear favorite to win the job. It most likely will go immediately to an incoming freshman, the heralded Tom Savage, but that doesn't provide a great incentive to stay.
FanHouse gathers around the TV to bring you insights from Bowl Season '08.
Russell Wilson got hurt. With all due respect to Rutgers players, coaches, fans and awesome Pulitzer Prize winning alumni, that's about all you need to re: the PapaJohns.com Bowl. Of course, it's also all you need to know about North Carolina State's season -- when Wilson was healthy and in the game, the Wolfpack were one of the most exciting teams in the NCAA, and when he wasn't, well, they were the type of team that could give up a first half lead to a suddenly struggling Rutgers team.
Again though: Rutgers = not bad. They came in having won six straight games, but, caveats aside, you couldn't tell by the time the clock struck zeroes on the first half. The Wolfpacka dominated, Mike Teel struggled mightily, and it looked like a runaway win for State. Then Wilson got hurt.
Turkey Legs to Go is FanHouse's complete travel guide for all of the 2008-2009 college bowl games. Here, we cover the PapaJohns.com Bowl (Birmingham, Alabama), which pits North Carolina State against Rutgers.
Overview / Matchup: Birmingham got lucky in their bowl draw this year, as both Rutgers and N.C. State come into the postseason on quite the tear. The Wolfpack features All-Universe freshman quarterback Russell Wilson, the first frosh to ever land first team All-Conference in the ACC. Meanwhile, a Cincinnati BCS berth and a six game winning streak to close out the season (highlighted by Mike Teel tossing a redonk seven touchdowns in the season finale against Louisville) lets the Scarlet Knights squeeze into a decent bowl.
Hotels: For luxury accommodation and entertainment, well-heeled travelers should stay at The Wynfrey Hotel. It's a 15-minute drive from town, but the trek is worth it if you want to do any shopping. The hotel is attached to the massive Riverchase Galleria. For good-quality accommodation closer to the stadium, try the Sheraton Birmingham Hotel. The hotel offers the best overall value for bowl travelers, combining reasonable rates with comfortable beds and a great location. For budget-minded travelers, try the Days Inn just across the highway from the stadium. They offer rooms for less than US$100 per night and the proximity can't be beat.
Restaurants/Nightlife: For fine dining in Birmingham, try Bottega Italian Restaurant. Bottega consistently receives great reviews and if the prices prove too steep, the sister restaurant, Bottega Café, next door is a more affordable alternative. Dreamland Bar-B-Que is a cheap, family-friendly alternative to high-end Italian. Dreamland is a local favorite featuring an on-site smoker and arguably the best ribs in Birmingham.
Coming into today's game between Pittsburgh and Rutgers, the two teams had only surpassed the 30-point mark three times combined.
The strength of the Rutgers team has been the defense by default, because the offense has almost been nonexistent. Likewise for Pitt, although their offense has been able to run the ball effectively and pass only when needed.
But only once has either defense allowed a 30-point game, when North Carolina put up 44 points on the Scarlet Knights. If anything, this was supposed to be a grind-it-out, defensive game.
Rutgers enters the post Ray Rice era in 2008. With a sold but somewhat disappointing 2007 in the rear view mirror the Scarlet Knights need to redefine themselves and find someone to fill the void left by Rice.
Why They'll Win
What they lack in running back star power, they make up for at the quarterback and receiver positions. Last year wasn't all about Ray Rice. In 2007, Rutgers became the first 1-A school to have a 3,000 yard passer, 2,000 rusher, and two 1,000 receivers. Despite a nagging thumb injury, Mike Teel managed to pass for over 3,000 yards and 20 touchdowns. Big numbers that were overshadowed by the year Rice had. On the outside, Kenny Britt and Tiquan Underwood both had over 60 receptions and combined to catch 15 touchdowns.
The defense lost Eric Foster, but they return eight starters that should be able to reproduce the success of the 2007 squad. It's not a big unit, but what they lack in size, they make up for in speed. Returning free safety Courtney Green, cornerbacks Devin and Jason McCourty all return to anchor a pass defense that was fifth in the nation.
Big time players often hear the chant, "overrated" when they fail to produce in a game. While other players shine in the shadow of a superstar without every having to carry the load themselves. They step up big on those one or two plays a game and let the big man do most of the heavy lifting. When the big man moves on we expect them to continue the success as if nothing had changed. This is the true test of a player being overrated.
Noel Devine, RB - West Virginia
With the realization that West Virginia doesn't lose many games when Pat White doesn't get injured, the running back position is going to be called on to do more this season. For all his many talents, Noel Devine doesn't strike me as someone that's going to be able to carry the load for West Virginia for a 13 game season.
There's some talent behind Devine at the running back position. But none have spent serious time in the backfield in games that matter. So for now, the only answer is Devine.
From the time he stepped on the field in Morgantown, he's been hailed as the second coming of, or better than Slaton. But for most of his career, Slaton was the every down back you could give the ball to 25-30 times a game. He did this while playing some of the 2005 and all of the 2006 season with a broken bone in his wrist. We haven't seen that kind of toughness and durability out of Devine yet. In fairness to Devine, he hasn't been given that chance. Until we see it on the field, though.....
What a difference a year can make. Both teams started the year out in the top 20 with aspirations of a Big East title and a BCS bowl game. With Rutgers accepting a bid to the International Bowl today and Louisville needing a win tonight to become bowl eligible, it's been a season of disappointment for both schools. But that doesn't mean it won't be a good game.
Louisville certainly has plenty to play for. Besides an outside shot at a bowl, they should still have payback on their minds from last years best game. With Louisville undefeated and in the running for a national title shot, an equally undefeated but lower ranked Rutgers won the game on a last second field goal. A field goal that was gift wrapped after Jeremy Ito missed the first kick, but Louisville was offside. Ito nailed the second one, and ruined a perfect season for the Cardinals.
It'll be interesting to see how fired up Rutgers is, or if Louisville isn't. With a bowl game already locked up, Rutgers doesn't have much to play for but respect. Louisville on the other hand has everything to play for, including this being Brian Brohm's last game. Not to mention Harry Douglas and Art Carmody. I'm sure they've had this one circled since last years game ended.
One thing that's gotten lost in the shuffle about this years Mountaineer team is the much improved defense. With good reason, the focus has been on Pat White and Steve Slaton this season, much like the last two seasons. But last year's scapegoat has turned things around.
It has started up front with the usual stinginess against the run. The Mountaineers are ranked 12th in the country against the run, and haven't allowed a 100 yard rusher this year. The thing that has made a huge difference is the sacks and pressure the defense has been able produce. Currently, they are 19th in sacks with 21. By comparison, last year's team didn't get a sack until an October game at Mississippi St.
And all that pressure applied by the defensive front has allowed the secondary to go from 109th nationally in yards allowed per game (243) to fifth (165).
But West Virginia has it's biggest test of the season in stopping Ray Rice and company in Piscataway this weekend. Rice is among the leaders in every major rushing category, and quarterback Mike Teel is one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the country when healthy. And Health or not Teel is planning on starting Saturday. West Virginia hasn't faced a team that likes to pound the ball inside this year, well a good one. Rutgers has had success running the ball in the past on West Virginia, and that will be the key. Rutgers has a fine group of wide receivers featuring Tiquan Underwood and Kenny Britt, but all the passing success of Rutgers is dependent on them being able to run the ball.
In their two losses, Rice was held under 100 yards. And while Mike Teel was able to put up some big numbers, he was also forced into some bad throws that cost them. So this is a statement game for the West Virginia defense. They have all the right stats, now they just need to do it against a respected offense.
Each week, FanHouse's Rollercoaster Report will take a look at several NFL Draft prospects to find out which players' stocks are on the rise, and who's stuck in freefall. 
Not much of a shock, but the fourth-leading receiver in the country, Rutgers junior 
FanHouse gathers around the TV to bring you insights from 
Turkey Legs to Go
Coming into today's game between Pittsburgh and Rutgers, the two teams had only surpassed the 30-point mark three times combined. 
One thing that's gotten lost in the shuffle about this years Mountaineer team is the much improved defense. With good reason, the focus has been on Pat White and Steve Slaton this season, much like the last two seasons. But last year's scapegoat has turned things around. 
