ESPN analyst and former Florida State and Giants quarterback Danny Kanell talks about the Seminoles showdown with Clemson, whether Alabama or Oregon will lose and Teddy Bridgewater’s pro prospects with The Post’s Justin Terranova.
Q: What has impressed you most about Florida State’s freshman quarterback Jameis Winston?
A: His composure. At the spring game just watching the way he talked to the older offensive linemen and receivers, you just can’t teach or coach that. Before the season I said he had a chance to be the best quarterback ever at Florida State and I thought that was going out on a limb, but he absolutely shattered those expectations.
Q: Still, were you surprised Florida State was the favorite for this game at Clemson?
A: I was shocked. Clemson has the higher ranking, the more impressive win against Georgia when the Bulldogs were at full strength. The thing that hurts Clemson is that they’ve had a couple of letdown games. If I am Dabo Swinney, I am playing the no-one-believes-in-us card. You are ranked third, at home, and you’re the underdog. That’s an insult.
Q: Better chance of running the table: Oregon or Alabama?
A: I am a big believer in Oregon and I think they will go unbeaten, but I am not so bullish on Alabama. If you look at their schedule they play LSU, which historically has been a great matchup and always has national title implications. That game could be a problem, even though it’s at home. And then Auburn is very quietly having a bounce-back season. They are young, they are full of talent and it’s at Auburn.
Q: Do you think USC made the right move firing Lane Kiffin?
A: I am never a fan of firing a coach during the season, but it was getting really rough. It was really becoming a major distraction for the team, the program, recruiting and it was really holding them back. Pat Haden made the right move at the right time.
Q: You are calling the Louisville-Central Florida game on Friday night. Do you think Teddy Bridgewater will end up being the top pick in the draft?
A: He doesn’t have a lot of flaws, that’s for sure. … The one thing scouts will want to see from him is the brute arm strength needed to be a franchise quarterback. A lot of his throws seem to be on the touch side, where he puts a lot of air under it and that’s great. But NFL scouts are going to want to see him make that throw 25-30 yards down the field on a frozen rope.