NFL/NCAA Conference Battle: Clash of the 12's
So far, so good. The ACC and Big 10 dominated in their match-ups. The Power 5 looks strong. Here is the problem: one must fall now. It's mid-west meets west coast in our next showdown. We are pitting the tough, bullish Big 12 against the fast pace PAC-12.
Here are the line-ups.
Big 12:
PAC-12:
Offense
We start with the Big 12. Andy Dalton has been a solid quarterback for the Bengals over his four year tenure on the roster. That is, as long as it is not the playoffs or at night. Dalton is, to put it simply, the opposite of clutch. To pick up his slack, he has two of the best backs in the league. Power and speed. This running duo would be next to unstoppable. Receivers are decent. Dez and Nelson would be hell for corners to deal with, but Gresham and Crabtree are not the guys you trust to make the big play. The line has a small hole at the second guard position. Other than that, it is very strong. Weeks is a decent center and the first three guys listed are part of high rushing offenses.
The PAC-12 has Aaron Rodgers, so they win in the quarterback category. Anderson and Stewart are decent runners, but they cannot compare to Peterson and Charles. The receivers are very good. Having a monster like Gronk, a veteran in Smith, and two young guys in Baldwin and Cooks makes this a well balanced core. On the line, we have two of the best offensive tackles today. Guards are a little bit of and issue, but the center position is strong.
Overall, these teams are very similar. So we have our first tie.
Advantage: Tie
Defense
The Big 12 line is impressive. Some of most disruptive players are here (minus Irving). Hughes and McCoy are stars in their own right and would run this line. Johnson, Orakpo, and Irvin are a threatening core. They could play at any of the linebacking positions and cause hell for the opposing offense. The secondary is just not fair. Two of the best corners today take the one and two spot while arguably the best safety covers for them? Paired with Newman and Griffin's knowledge of the game and pure veteran instinct, it will be hard to pass on these guys.
For the PAC-12, the line is a little shaky. Jordan and Ngata are decent, but they are past their prime. Williams was good for the Jets last season and Casey is not a true starter. To back them up is the best linebacker core in this bracket! Suggs, Barr, and Matthews have cemented themselves as the marque defender on each of their teams. They make up for the poor PAC-12 line. The secondary is very much the same as the linebackers: star studded. When the DROY and Sherman are defending, your offense is going to have a bad time. Pair that with another great corner in Randall and a pair of veteran safeties that are greatly undervalued and you have a stellar secondary.
This is another tough call, but I am giving this to the PAC-12. Everything but the line is better than the Big 12 and is reminds me of the Seahawks defense.
Advantage: PAC-12
Most Intriguing Match-up: Dez Bryant vs Richard Sherman
One of the best receivers versus one of the best corners. Sherman has proven himself to be elite and not someone to be trifled with on or off the field. The same goes for Dez. Both are extremely vocal and leaders of their side of the ball. Sherman would not allow Dez to have open space. But Dez can make the big catches over the top. It comes down to this: if it is the final play of the game and the Big 12 is down by four and they are on the PAC-12's 5-yard line, is Dez more likely to catch the pass or will Sherman bat it away? My money goes on Dez to make the catch. Just send it to him high like Jameis to Kelvin.
Advantage: Big 12
X-Factors: Rob Gronkowski vs Adrian Peterson
These are the guys we expect to go off. They are both beasts in their own right and are arguably the best at their positions. So it comes down to who is more likely to be the difference maker in the game. Who will be guy that takes his team to the win and into the next round? You have Peterson, who has dominated the run game for years while still being on the wrong side of the 30. Gronk is one of the guys no one wants to cover due to his massive frame. In the end, they both have the skills, but Peterson has been doing this way longer. I give this win to the veteran that does not stop for any player.
Advantage: Big 12
Weakest Position Group: Big 12 Linebackers vs PAC-12 Defensive Line
Going into the final battle, we have a battle of the weaker groups. An older linebacking core against a sub-par defensive front four. Considering that the offensive line talent for both teams is about the same, this is a much easier call to make. The PAC-12 cannot function without a steady line. It gives the quarterback more time in the pocket to make a decision and adjust. This also gives the receivers more time to get open. Look at the Cowboys the last few seasons without DeMarcus Ware. Less than 10 sacks in each of those past seasons as a unit. The Big 12 takes this one.
Advantage: Big 12
Despite a tie at the beginning, the Big 12 takes home the win 4-2. This was a much closer battle than what the score reflected. Each of those one-on-one battles were rough to chose. Tomorrow, the SEC goes up against the collection of every conference that has yet to be mentioned.
