Running backs seize rose bowl spotlight

Talented freshman ball-carriers undaunted by heightened stakes

Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston are the obvious stars of the Rose Bowl, two elite quarterbacks with Heisman Trophies and blazing futures.

They'll have something else in common when Oregon meets Florida State on Thursday, though: They'll both spend the afternoon in Pasadena handing off to two running backs who show strong signs of being their schools' next big things.