The SEC Championship Game has huge BCS implications with the winner headed to the National Championship Game to face a Big 12 team. Alabama has the second-best run game in the SEC (behind Florida) mostly because of their outstanding offensive line. Glen Coffee leads the Crimson Tide run game with 1,235 yards on the ground and nine scores. He would have even more production, but Alabama utilizes somewhat of a running back by committee with Coffee, Mark Ingram, Roy Upchurch, and Terry Grant. Florida’s Brandon Spikes, who most think is a lock to declare early for the NFL Draft, has the measureables and playmaking ability of an All-American. He has a nose for the ball and makes very hard hits. Spikes leads the Gators with 80 tackles on the season and four interceptions. Alabama will try and control the line of scrimmage, but Spikes will have other ideas.

While it is sometimes tough to scout NFL Draft prospects because of the lack of competition, this feature helps to key in on pivotal match ups for the upcoming weekend of college football. Each week, NFL Draft Source will focus on the top five match ups.  BY DANE BRUGLER  

Glen Coffee

RB

6-1, 200

Draft Source

2010 RB #9

Brandon Spikes

LB

6-3, 245

Draft Source

2010 LB #1

ALABAMA vs. FLORIDA

Another crucial game, the Sooners understand that if they take care of business against the Tigers then they will be facing the winner of the SEC in the BCS National Championship Game. This game will feature two of the Mackey Award Finalists for the top tight end in the nation, but the guy to watch will be Jermaine Gresham of Oklahoma. He enjoyed a break-out game last week against Oklahoma State with career highs in catches (9) and receiving yards (158). Safety William Moore is third on the team with 79 tackles and will be primarily a cover DB for this game because of the Sooners’ four-receiver sets. He will line up with Gresham several times during the game so Moore’s toughness and athleticism will be tested against a much bigger player. Look for Oklahoma to stick with what got them here, which means a lot of passes to Gresham and chances for Moore to make plays.

Jermaine Gresham

TE

6-6, 260

Draft Source

2010 TE #1

William Moore

S

6-1, 225

Draft Source

2009 OT #2

OKLAHOMA vs. MISSOURI

2008 was a very disappointing season for both these schools who had hopes of reaching the BCS, but this year the Big East Title belongs to Cincinnati. West Virginia’s Ryan Stanchek is a college offensive tackle who has the measureables to play guard at the next level. He doesn’t have great height and has short arms so his ability in the NFL is in question. The main player in this match up is South Florida’s George Selvie in what could be one of his final games as a Bull. Last year during the 2007 season, he racked up 14.5 sacks and flirted with the NFL Draft as a redshirt sophomore, but decided to return and has only five sacks this season. Many believe Selvie to be one-dimensional as just a speed rusher and he needs to show doubters that he has the strength to match up in the NFL as well. Although this game isn’t as important as others, watching Selvie is worth the price of admission.

Ryan Stanchek

OT

6-3, 305

Draft Source

2009 OG #22

George Selvie

DE

6-4, 250

Draft Source

2010 DE #3

WEST VIRGINIA vs. SOUTH FLORIDA

Another Big East match up of underachieving teams, Connecticut and Pittsburgh will both be playing for better bowl positioning. William Beatty of Connecticut isn’t a household name and probably never will be, but he is a solid player who has the potential to develop into a quality player at the next level. He has very good measureables and mobility, but needs to work on technique issues. Beatty will face a tough test against Greg Romeus, Pittsburgh’s leading sack artist with five and a half. Romeus is a redshirt sophomore and isn’t expected to make the jump to the NFL just yet, but will examine the possibility after the Bowl Game. He has prototypical size and is a good athlete, but is learning how to play disciplined and not simply rely on his quickness. Scouts will pay close attention to this match up to see how Beatty reacts to a player of Romeus’ calibur.

William Beatty

OT

6-6, 310

Draft Source

2009 OT #15

Greg Romeus

DE

6-5, 265

Draft Source

2011 DE #3

CONNECTICUT vs. PITTSBURGH

This game will crown the ACC Champion who will advance to a BCS Bowl Game. Both teams have several crucial questions on both sides of the ball. Boston College has perhaps the best tandem defensive tackles in all of college football with BJ Raji and Ron Brace. Raji, who sat out last season due to academic issues, has tremendous size and strength and surprising quickness for a big man. He is excellent against the run and will penetrate the pocket. Usually defensive tackles don’t lead the defense in sacks and tackles for loss, but Raji leads Boston College in both categories with 6.5 sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss. Virginia Tech’s Sergio Render is one of the top offensive linemen in the ACC and has a bright NFL future ahead of him. He has good size and is stout at the point of attack. The battle in the trenches will be a pivotal sub-plot for this game and could ultimately decide the winner.

Sergio Render

OG

6-3, 315

Draft Source

2010 OG #1

BJ Raji

DT

6-1, 325

Draft Source

2009 DT #2

VIRGINIA TECH vs. BOSTON COLLEGE