The draft is determined by Alphabetic order, Mel Kiper's 5 round mock draft looks like this.
1st round-
1. Alabama- selects Auburn- Iron Bowl is secured
2. Ohio State- selects Michigan The game is secured
3. Texas- selects Notre Dame, First upset pick of the draft with Oklahoma on the board UT basically says we like the value of the Irish and selects them over guaranteeing their rivalry games with A&M and Oklahoma.
4. USC-selects Oklahoma. USC thinking Eastern partners with their first pick as they know the other teams won't draft West Coast teams early due to geography. OU considers going Eli Manning after the Chargers drafted him, but takes a wait and see approach.
2nd round
1. USC- selects Oklahoma State. USC wanting to give OU a partner realizes they must take Oklahoma State before Texas can screw up its plans. So they take OSU earlier than their actual value.
2. Texas- selects Texas A&M. Texas can't lose all of its rivalry games so they go with A&M higher than their actual value.
3. Ohio State- selects Penn State. Ohio State knows their fans want games with Penn State and Michigan so they make two conservative selections with their first two picks to please their Midwestern fanbase.
4. Alabama-selects Florida. The Gators value in this spot is appropriate and the Bama wants to lock down recruiting in the Sunshine State.
3rd round
1. Alabama- selects LSU. The Bayou Bengals are an obvious pick and Bama fans are loving their draft so far.
2. Ohio State- selects Florida State. Ohio St after taking safe picks the first two rounds decides they want into the Florida market and take the Seminoles.
3. Texas- selects Arkansas with ND & A&M selected the Longhorns want more minions than partners and Razorbacks fit their mold. The Razorbacks are the 9th most valuable college team according to Forbes and the Longhorns like that value.
4. USC- selects UCLA. After picking bold the first two picks the Trojans realize they better start looking West before Texas swipes one of its top teams.
4th round
1. USC- selects Oregon. Ditto above the Ducks and Bruins are the two most valuable West teams and USC locks them up.
2. Texas selects Nebraska. Just like Michael Correlone Tom Osbourne snaps "Just when I thought I was out they pull me back in." Texas wants to pick the Huskers before the Buckeyes can select them.
3. Ohio State selects Wisconsin. The Badgers are solid team and the Buckeyes don't want to get to radical so to appease their fanbase go back to selecting safe Midwestern teams.
4. Alabama- selects Tennessee. The 3rd week in October game is preserved.
5th round
1. Alabama- selects Georgia. Bama fans are loving their draft with Auburn, Florida, LSU, Tennessee, and Georgia so far.
2. Ohio State selects Iowa. People wouldn't guess Iowa is one of the top 20 valuable teams and Ohio State wants to prevent Texas for taking the Hawkeyes.
3. Texas selects Missouri. The Tigers feel the same way as Nebraska.
4. USC selects California. USC needs the Bears for their Northern California alumni.
So far Alabama- Auburn, Florida, LSU, Tennessee, Georgia
Ohio State- Michigan, Penn State, Florida State, Wisconsin, Iowa
Texas- Notre Dame, Texas A&M, Arkansas, Nebraska, Missouri
USC- Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, UCLA, Oregon, California
Anybody want to pick this up.
6th Round
1. UCS- selects Stanford. Keeps some west coast rivalries. Is a natural fit. (Now that we're in the later rounds of the draft, "fit" becomes of higher emphasis.
2. Texas- selects Baylor. Going after the Texan league. They want their state well represented.
3. Ohio State-selects Michigan State. This is a no brainer. Michigan State turns a great profit in their Athletic Program, and continues with natural bloodlines from the old Big 10.
4. Alabama-selects South Carolina. Alabama gets a steal at this point. South Carolina pulls in huge profits and has shown to be a year round contender. Alabama's war room is jumping for joy right now.
7th Round
1. Alabama- selects Clemson. Fresh off the USC of the East pick, Alabama grabs them an in-state rival.
2. Ohio State- selects Miami. In another shot to Alabama's conference, OSU takes Miami to give them another FL presence and also gives FSU a natural in-state rival.
3. Texas- selects Texas Tech. Texas wants more Texas schools in this conference, and went with Tech in this case.
4. USC- selects Washington. This is a move based on money. They pull a huge profit and have been competitive in football. They want to keep the best western football schools in the west!
Summary:
Alabama- Auburn, Florida, LSU, Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina, Clemson
Ohio State- Michigan, Penn State, Florida State, Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan State, Miami
Texas- Notre Dame, Texas A&M, Arkansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Baylor, Texas Tech
USC- Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, UCLA, Oregon, California, Stanford, Washington
Who's next?
