Fiesta Bowl Recap: Oklahoma State Wins and Andrew Luck, Justin Blackmon Look Like Top Five Picks

It was a hard fought game for Andrew Luck and the Stanford Cardinal, but in the end, they just couldn’t close it out. Their kicker had a chance to win it in regulation and give Stanford a lead in overtime, but he failed to do both from what should be point-blank range for a division one scholarship kicker, or even a kid who is walking on at a BCS school. Still, the Cardinal had other opportunities to close out the game, and they failed to do so.

The two biggest things to take away from this game–obviously–were Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon and Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck. Luck is going to be the number one pick in the draft without question, so you can start printing up #12 Colts jerseys with his name on it.

Blackmon scored three touchdowns, including one that tied the game at 31 in the fourth quarter. He also had a huge fourth down catch that allowed the Cowboys to tie the game with just over 2:30 left. He looked clutch all night, making catches and finding a way to get himself open. At times, there weren’t even any members of Stanford near him.

Blackmon finished with eight catches for 186 yards and three touchdowns, and he reiterated his stance regarding the draft after the game, saying that he was still planning on declaring himself eligible after a fantastic career at Oklahoma State.

If there was any question about Andrew Luck before this game, before this season, even, they have been answered. Luck is the real deal, and he should be a perennial all-pro eventually. He is so smart, poised, tough, athletic, and his arm strength has been a question but I saw him make some throws last night that had all the pro scouts drooling. You can bet the Colts and their fans are going to love having that kid, and I don’t see them having to pick near the top of the draft for very long at all.

Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden out-dueled Luck in this battle of quarterbacks, throwing for 399 yards and three touchdowns and setting his team up to run in the game winning touchdown in overtime with a great throw. He still will be a third or fourth round pick because of his age, but if he is given time to develop, I think he has the skills to be an effective NFL quarterback for eight years or so.

Stanford tight end Coby Fleener was injured in the game, and had only two catches for 19 yards. He should be in consideration at the end of the second round, and fair game after that.

David DeCastro and Jonathan Martin also had very good games for Stanford. I think DeCastro is pretty much the unanimous top guard prospect in  the entire draft, and he should be a starter from day one. Martin is the same type of guy in terms of being a starter right away, but he’s not the best tackle prospect in this draft. He should be a top 10-15 pick for sure.

Stanford junior running back Stepfan Taylor could also choose to leave with all of his teammates after two straight 1,000 yard seasons, capping it off last night with 177 yards and two more scores. He has also learned how to be effective in the passing game, catching 25 passes this season and 28 last year.