Brand Spankin' New Bowl Projections

[Dossenator]

Mallett plays in a system that relies heavily on the run, that is an advantage on three hundred yard games.

Mallet is a prototypical NFL QB. That is why Michigan recruited him out of high school. The only think I know about him was as a freshman and then he didn't make the best decisions in the heat of battle. He was just a freshman, though. I have never seen Luck except on TV. It is hard to evaluate, but a QB who does well in the PAC-10 is typically a kid to look at. Most PAC-10 offenses are set up to run a pro style attack. Luck has a coach who knows how to build and NFL QB. Both these kids are basically products of the same system when you get right down to it. The difference is likely going to be between the ears.

They both play In pro style offenses that rely on power running and play action passing. So Luck and Mallett are good comparisons. Mallett has put up better numbers against tougher defenses. Both will be drafted high and they both have a chance to be very good NFL QB's.

[Spence]

Petrino has a more wide open attack, but I agree that both are carbon copy type QB's. Who is better is probably not going to be known until they have a few years in the NFL. Both will be drafted high.

[Dossenator]

Petrino has a more wide open attack, but I agree that both are carbon copy type QB's. Who is better is probably not going to be known until they have a few years in the NFL. Both will be drafted high.

My point is the media is hyping Luck as the greatest college QB of the past 30 years...listen to Cowherd talk or Mel Kiper. Mallett should be a finalist for the Davy Obrien award...and possibly the Maxwell and Heisman (especially since Luck is). Ark runs more traditional formations with a bruising full back blocking, power run game, with lots of play action passes (with 2 and 3 WR sets....very active TE's). Only a few times a game do you see 5 WR no backfield sets. Pretty much what you see lots of NFL teams run. A great example is the Ark vs LSU...that last ARk drive had nothing but runs....power football and they blasted LSU off the line, full back, 2 TE's, and pound the rock. Petrino's motto is pass to get a lead and run to win the game.

[RazorHawk]

Petrino has a more wide open attack, but I agree that both are carbon copy type QB's. Who is better is probably not going to be known until they have a few years in the NFL. Both will be drafted high.

My guess is that as long as Petrino is at Arkansas the Razorback QB will have some very impressive numbers. Case in point was when Petrino took over an inherited Casey Dick a marginally talented QB, the offense made him look good enough to even get a look from some pro teams. His numbers were pretty impressive also.

When he had Brian Brohm at Louisville, Brohm looked to be the next Peyton Manning and world beater, but did almost nothing in the Pros.

Personally, I think Luck will have a better pro career, but also that has much to do with which team drafts which QB.

[Spence]

And that was my point, except I think Mallet will have a good pro career. How good, IMO, will hinge on how fast he can check down against tight coverage. Luck - I think the same applies. I can't say I have watch either play enough recently to have an opinion on which one will be a better QB. Mallet's big down fall is one few QB's have - he is almost too tall - making him a big target to good defensive lineman. Those things don't show up in CFB like they do in the NFL.

[billybud]

Yeah...How tall is Peyton?

[RazorHawk]

I also think Mallet will have a decent pro career, but there a lot of things that can affect it. (Injuries, team etc.) I also realize that player awards are definitely not totally STAT driven, nor should they be.

[Yeofoot]

I fully expect the Cowboys to draft Mallet.

[Eric]

I think Carolina will trade out of the first pick and stay in the top 5 (so they can get a 2nd or 3rd round in addition to getting the guy they want, A.J. Green), either swapping spots with the Bills or Cardinals. Luck will go first and Mallett second. I think Locker is going to drop, but some stupid franchise will still take him in the top 15. Jacksonville, Tennessee, San Francisco, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Washington, Oakland, Seattle, and Miami could all take shots at taking a QB. It's a pretty wide open field this year.

[Dossenator]

I think Carolina will trade out of the first pick and stay in the top 5 (so they can get a 2nd or 3rd round in addition to getting the guy they want, A.J. Green), either swapping spots with the Bills or Cardinals. Luck will go first and Mallett second. I think Locker is going to drop, but some stupid franchise will still take him in the top 15. Jacksonville, Tennessee, San Francisco, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Washington, Oakland, Seattle, and Miami could all take shots at taking a QB. It's a pretty wide open field this year.

Luck may very well go first....but I bet after the NFL combine several teams will be seriously considering Mallett over Luck. You know when they get to see what these guys arms can do side by side. Maybe I am just looking through my Razorback colored glasses....but I really do not think I am. I have watched most of Stanfords games this year and all of Ark's.

[donovan]

I have no idea how to compare Mallet to Luck..but if you are talking arm strength....Luck flicks his wrist and the ball went 38 yards, dead on. Stanford could be argued to be the best team in the country. We will see after this weekend.

[billybud]

X Lee, at FSU, had a stronger arm than any guy I have seen but he couldn't read defenses nor look for secondary receivers. He was famous for firing passes into the end zone from the 50 in pre practice...while kneeling.

The best QB's have the physical tools but can also recognize defenses and quickly go through a progression.

[Spence]

X Lee, at FSU, had a stronger arm than any guy I have seen but he couldn't read defenses nor look for secondary receivers. He was famous for firing passes into the end zone from the 50 in pre practice...while kneeling.

The best QB's have the physical tools but can also recognize defenses and quickly go through a progression.

That is right. Lots of guys have the physical tools, even more have the mental ability, but very few have both. It takes both to survive in the NFL. In college you can survive with one or the other. Craig Krenzel from Ohio State was a lousy QB from a physical standpoint - very good at reading the defense and changing the play at the line of scrimmage. He played decent football in college and was a nightmare in the NFL.