College Football Playoff first round X-factors: Which unlikely players could help team advance?

With a chance to advance to the quarterfinals, who will step up in the first round of the College Football Playoff?

Whether it’s at the quarterback, receiver or defensive position, there are plenty of stars that will take part in the inaugural first round of the expanded 12-team playoff. But as the road to a national championship gets tougher against some of the best squads, those stars won’t be able to do all of it on their own. It’ll likely take an underrated player to become an unsung hero and be the catalyst in front of a home or hostile crowd.

The stakes have been raised, so here are one player from each team playing in the first round that could provide a big spark in taking care of business or pulling off the road upset:

Jailin Walker, LB, Indiana

One of the several former James Madison players that followed Curt Cignetti to Bloomington, Walker has helped form a solid linebacker duo alongside Aiden Fisher. Walker is second on the team in tackles (72), tackles for loss (9) and 8 pass break ups, but he’s been one of the key pieces that brings the energy and positive attitude to the defense. Cignetti said he’s a guy that he’ll really miss when the season is over.

Walker has been consistent this season, and he really turned it on in the final stretch of the season when he recorded a tackle for loss in the final three games − four of which came in the season finale against Purdue. Indiana is facing a Notre Dame team a strong rushing attack, and while the Hoosiers are among the best at stopping the run, Fisher will need Walker to help him out in preventing big plays and the scrambling ability of Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard.

Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame

Leonard and Jeremiyah Love do most of the damage running the ball for Notre Dame, but don’t forget about Price. The back adds power to the running game with a…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/college-football-playoff-first-round-120352348.html

Author : USA TODAY Sports

Publish date : 2024-12-20 12:03:00

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