2015 NFL Draft: Mariota can take big step toward No. 1 vs. Michigan State
Saturday's key inter-conference showdown between the No. 3 Oregon Ducks and the No. 7 Michigan State Spartans has a lot more than bragging rights and national rankings riding on it.
It just may prove the most important test for quarterback Marcus Mariota, the No. 1 prospect on NFLDraftScout.com's board and a projected top-five pick in our early mock drafts.
The defending Rose Bowl champion Spartans play a pro-style defense built around top-50 NFL prospects Shilique Calhoun at defensive end, Trae Waynes at cornerback and Kurtis Drummond at free safety. In terms of instincts and technique, the Spartans are similar to last year's Stanford squad that limited Mariota to a 58.8 percent completion rate and handed the Ducks their first loss of 2013. The Spartans, though, are considerably faster than last season's Stanford squad. Frankly, Mark Dantonio's defense may just be the best Mariota will face in college.
Fortunately (at least for Mariota and Ducks fans), he's the top quarterback the Spartans have faced, as well. Mariota was clearly limited in last season's showdown with the Cardinal and it was later revealed that he played with a partially torn MCL. Also significant is the fact that both of Oregon's 2013 losses (Stanford and Arizona) came on the road, whereas Saturday's game will take place in Autzen Stadium.
With his athleticism and a friendly home crowd in place, Mariota has a few built-in advantages in this contest. He'll be facing plenty of challenges, however, given how the Spartans match up against a Ducks squad that lost stud left tackle Tyler Johnstone and top returning receiver Bralon Addison to torn ACLs in the offseason.
Though Mariota won't be facing him directly, of course, the Spartans boast a potential early round signal-caller of their own in junior Connor Cook, who beat Stanford's vaunted defense in the Rose Bowl.
Scouts will be evaluating Mariota's composure and willingness to take shots down the field in tight windows. Oregon's speed and scheme typically provide open passing lanes and while Mariota can make the dazzling throw, his ball placement on intermediate and deep routes isn't as consistent as his staggering production might indicate. Now in his third season as a starter, Mariota has completed 65.9 percent of his passes for 6,609 yards and 66 touchdowns against just 10 interceptions.
The Spartans lost Thorpe Award-winning cornerback Darqueze Dennard to the NFL but Waynes -- a better athlete than his former teammate -- may be a stiffer test for the Ducks due to his speed. Waynes just barely missed the cut on my personal top 32 NFL prospects.
For more on which NFL prospects to watch in this game, as well as Saturday's other top matchups, check out Dane Brugler's Week 2 Prospect Preview.
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