Written by Garin Turner
The TaxSlayer Bowl comes your way December 30th in Jacksonville, Florida 12 PM EST on ESPN as the Louisville Cardinals (8-4) take on the No. 23 Mississippi State Bulldogs in another ACC vs. SEC matchup.
The Tax Slayer Bowl could be the last college game for junior quarterback Lamar Jackson out of Louisville. Jackson won the Heisman last year and even put up better numbers this year despite the award going to Baker Mayfield. Jackson has thrown for 3,489 yards on 241 of 399 passes and 25 touchdowns to just six interceptions.
Jackson has double the rushing yards of teammate Malik Williams (1,443 to 518). Jackson has carried the ball 208 times and has 17 touchdowns. Jackson has stated that he only wants to play quarterback in the NFL. Both Mel Kiper and Todd McShay think he's a raw talent that needs to develop. Jackson could stay a year and work on just that or he could come out for the draft. Changing positions is a tough decision for a QB to make. Florida's Tim Tebow refused to switch to a tight end or fullback and is now out of the league. Former Ohio State QB Terrelle Pryor made the switch from QB to receiver and did well for the Cleveland Browns but has struggled with the Washington Redskins. Former Michigan QB Denard Robinson switched to running back and had an up and down career with the Jacksonville Jaguars and is currently out of the league.
The Cardinals have six different receivers with 20 plus catches on the year. Jaylen Smith has been a favorite target all year long. Smith has 53 receptions for 873 yards and six touchdowns. Dez Fitzpatrick leads the team with nine touchdowns.
The Bulldogs will have to have solid quarterback play from freshman Keytaon Thompson who gets the start since Nick Fitzgerald is out due to surgery for a severely dislocated ankle. The Bulldogs also have a new coach in Joe Moorhead after Dan Mullen took the Florida Gators job.
The good news is Thompson does have game experience completing 21 of 46 passes for 261 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. The Bulldogs have a good running game, and they'll need to help take the pressure off the young QB. Aeris Williams has 224 carries for 1,019 yards and five scores.
Mississippi State has to limit the big plays from Jackson to give them a good shot at winning. The play of Thompson is also key. If he can limit mistakes and keep Jackson off the field, it will give the defense a much-needed rest.
The Cardinals need somebody else to step up besides Jackson. If they can get the running game going without Jackson having to run as much, it will limit the hits he takes.
The Tax Slayer Bowl could be the last college game for junior quarterback Lamar Jackson out of Louisville. Jackson won the Heisman last year and even put up better numbers this year despite the award going to Baker Mayfield. Jackson has thrown for 3,489 yards on 241 of 399 passes and 25 touchdowns to just six interceptions.
Jackson has double the rushing yards of teammate Malik Williams (1,443 to 518). Jackson has carried the ball 208 times and has 17 touchdowns. Jackson has stated that he only wants to play quarterback in the NFL. Both Mel Kiper and Todd McShay think he's a raw talent that needs to develop. Jackson could stay a year and work on just that or he could come out for the draft. Changing positions is a tough decision for a QB to make. Florida's Tim Tebow refused to switch to a tight end or fullback and is now out of the league. Former Ohio State QB Terrelle Pryor made the switch from QB to receiver and did well for the Cleveland Browns but has struggled with the Washington Redskins. Former Michigan QB Denard Robinson switched to running back and had an up and down career with the Jacksonville Jaguars and is currently out of the league.
The Cardinals have six different receivers with 20 plus catches on the year. Jaylen Smith has been a favorite target all year long. Smith has 53 receptions for 873 yards and six touchdowns. Dez Fitzpatrick leads the team with nine touchdowns.
The Bulldogs will have to have solid quarterback play from freshman Keytaon Thompson who gets the start since Nick Fitzgerald is out due to surgery for a severely dislocated ankle. The Bulldogs also have a new coach in Joe Moorhead after Dan Mullen took the Florida Gators job.
The good news is Thompson does have game experience completing 21 of 46 passes for 261 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. The Bulldogs have a good running game, and they'll need to help take the pressure off the young QB. Aeris Williams has 224 carries for 1,019 yards and five scores.
Mississippi State has to limit the big plays from Jackson to give them a good shot at winning. The play of Thompson is also key. If he can limit mistakes and keep Jackson off the field, it will give the defense a much-needed rest.
The Cardinals need somebody else to step up besides Jackson. If they can get the running game going without Jackson having to run as much, it will limit the hits he takes.