The Insight Bowl with Iowa and Oklahoma (10 p.m., ESPN) feels like the first "big" game in regards to draft prospects. Several others have had solid collections of players for the 2012 NFL Draft, but the Insight Bowl is loaded.
The lead point of discussion for this game is whether or not it's Landry Jones' last game for Oklahoma. While he's had a down season, he greatly benefited from Matt Barkley announcing he was returning for his senior season. In what is a poor quarterback class after Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III, Jones could work himself into the first round with a good bowl game and offseason. Jones has a nice arm and can be accurate, but he struggles under pressure and has played poorly since wide receiver Ryan Broyles was injured.
Iowa has its own player who could leave early for the NFL. That would be left tackle Riley Reiff, a possible top 10 pick. Reiff isn't as highly rated as Matt Kalil or even Jonathan Martin, but he should be a dependable starting tackle in the NFL. Opposite Reiff is Markus Zusevics, who should get a chance in the NFL due to his run blocking. He could be a nice depth player who can line up at guard or tackle.
On the other side of the ball, Iowa also has a nice pair of cornerbacks. Senior Shaun Prater shows nice range and could be a perfect fit on a zone coverage team. Junior corner Micah Hyde is having the better season and may end up being the better player in the NFL. He's a strong cornerback who doesn't give up much space and can jam at the line.
Oklahoma has a solid cornerback of their own in Jamell Fleming. The senior has fluid hips and can turn in run with almost any wide receiver. Fleming can make a play on the ball and doesn't give up many big plays over the top. It should be a good matchup if he lines up against Iowa senior wide receiver Marvin McNutt. Coming into tonight's game, McNutt has 1,269 yards and 12 touchdowns receiving. He's a physical receiver who could give Fleming some trouble.
This game also has multiple linebackers to watch. Oklahoma's Travis Lewis has been ready for the NFL since his sophomore season. He has all the skills you look for in a weekside linebacker. He's fluid in space, can drop in coverage and knows how to get after the ball. Iowa outside linebacker Tyler Nielson is an underrated athlete who could this year's version of K.J. Wright.
It's hard to find a position for Oklahoma defensive end Frank Alexander. He's not physical enough to play end in the NFL, but doesn't seem athletic enough to convert to outside linebacker. He needs to turn heads at the combine.
Note: Oklahoma pass rusher Ronnell Lewis was ruled ineligible for this game because of academics. He'll likely enter the draft.
Download the bowl watch list, put together by 3k, here.
2013 NFL Draft watch: The Oklahoma secondary gives up a lot of big pass plays, but sophomore free safety Tony Jefferson is developing into a solid all-around cornerback. He has four interceptions this season and can be a strong tackler.