Posted by Steve Muench
South Florida lost QB
Matt Grothe to a season-ending knee injury, while Florida State QB Christian Ponder is playing the best football he's ever played, so suddenly there is a lot of pressure on the Bulls' defense when the two teams meet this weekend. Much of that pressure will fall on a pair of early-round prospects -- DE
George Selvie and FS
Nate Allen.
Selvie, a first-round prospect, needs to get pressure on Ponder, forcing him into bad decisions. Selvie, 6-foot-4, 245 pounds, will go against FSU's Andrew Datko, who despite his 6-6, 291-pound frame is a very athletic lineman. He's not a power offensive tackle. He moves well and sets his feet quickly. It is the type of matchup that could test Selvie, who is a speed rusher. It will be interesting to see if Selvie can still get the corner on the athletic Datko. But there are a couple of things to like about Selvie in this matchup. First of all, he's simply the most explosive defensive lineman in the country. The second thing -- and just as important -- is that he's smart. If he sees Datko trying to take away the outside with wider splits or with a big kick-step when the ball is snapped, Selvie will shoot inside.
As good as that matchup will be, I'm more excited to watch Allen. Allen, who projects as a second-round prospect, will be tested in a couple of areas. The first is against a mobile quarterback like Ponder. I think Allen will step up and help out in run support. He's an effective drag-down tackler, and although Ponder isn't
Tim Tebow-like when he runs, he does run hard. It will be interesting to see how Allen limits Ponder's yards after contact.
In the passing game, Allen is one of the nation's best cover safeties despite his size (he's generously listed at 6-2, 206 pounds).The Seminoles could put WR Bert Reed in the slot and see if Allen can stay with him in man-to-man situations. He has great range in his zone play, but there are questions about his ball skills. He comes up with some big plays, but doesn't always make all the plays he needs to make. If Ponder makes a mistake, Allen needs to be there to make a play.
For a look at a flaw in a potential first-round defensive back, why Washington QB Jake Locker shouldn't celebrate too much and why WVU QB Jarrett Brown shouldn't hang his head too much, plus notes from around the country, become an ESPN Insider. 
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