Palko looks to rebound against Huskies

Updated: November 8, 2006, 4:26 PM ET

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By Steve Muench
Scouts Inc.
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Scouts look at a player's natural ability, career statistics, intangibles and ability to stay healthy during the evaluation process, so one game isn't going to determine where a prospect gets drafted. However, how a player starts his season isn't nearly as significant as how a player finishes. With that in mind, the final games of the regular season are extremely important for these seniors and the season took extreme turns for two of the prospects on this list last week.

Pittsburgh QB Tyler Palko has been one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the country, but the wheels came off his impressive season last Saturday against South Florida. He completed less than half of his passes and he threw three interceptions. The most disturbing aspects of the performance were Palko consistently throwing into tight coverage and regularly locking onto receivers. In fact, his failure to look the safety off resulted in the Bulls intercepting him late in the second quarter. In addition, he didn't appear comfortable in the pocket and his patience all but evaporated when the Panthers trailed by two touchdowns in the second half.

Pittsburgh travels to Connecticut this week and Palko has an excellent opportunity to bounce back in the eyes of scouts. The reason is he faces a tough Huskies' pass defense that has intercepted 10 passes and allowed just five passing touchdowns. If he can produce while protecting the football, his draft value should improve. Palko needs to keep Connecticut's safeties off balance by looking them off. In addition, Huskies' cornerbacks Darius Butler and Tyvin Branch are talented, so Palko must stay patient and give his receivers enough time to get open. That said, he can't afford to simply take care of business following such a set back. He must play well enough to make scouts write last week's game off as a fluke.

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