CHARLOTTE, N.C. – In today’s whirlwind of college football, scouting for your bowl game opponent can seem nearly impossible. With all the end of season responsibilities that include recruiting, getting a hold on the transfer portal and more. It almost begs the question, ‘How much do these bowls really matter?’ For some players like Virginia Tech’s Ali Jennings, he views Friday’s Duke’s Mayo Bowl as an opportunity.
“Will it help your draft stock? Will it not? If another team’s draftable player is playing you’re most likely going to want to play because it can help boost your draft grade,” Jennings explained.
Minnesota players say since bowl games give a sense of a “first game of the season” feel, focusing on tendencies are pivotal.
“Scouts are watching and things like that but also just the time. If you didn’t have as good a season you wanted to, it gives you a chance to go out and make some plays and that’s my situation right now. I wanted to go out one more time and show everyone that I’m healthy, ready to make plays and ready for the next level.”
“It makes it really difficult to scout but you have to take what they’ve shown you in the last 12 games and try to get as many looks as possible,” said Golden Gophers defensive lineman Danny Striggow. “Be able to have that recall so that when something happens on the field you’re able to go back to memory bank and know how to adjust to it.”
“You don’t know who’s going to be out there so it’s more of understanding the scheme and focusing on where you can grown and things you need to work on,” said Golden Gophers running back Darius Taylor. A lot of in-game adjustments and things you need to change.”