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2013 Rose Bowl MVP Watch: Stanford TE Zach Ertz

Stanford's passing attack has found its groove with Kevin Hogan, and if Zach Ertz can put together a big day he might find himself in possession of the MVP trophy.

By Pete Holby
Jason O. Watson

Stanford Cardinal tight end Zach Ertz could have a good shot at the 2013 Rose Bowl MVP trophy if the Stanford offense performs as expected. After being mostly excluded from Stanford's win over UCLA for the Pac-12 championship, but he could have a big game against Wisconsin.

Ertz finished the season with 66 catches for 837 yards, nearly double the yardage of Stanford's second-leading receiver. Those totals are good enough for first among FBS tight ends, and he also had six touchdowns, second on the team to only Stepfan Taylor.

Ertz is 6'5 and 250 pounds and has good speed for a receiver his size. His ability to block allows Stanford to run formations that defenses read as pass, only to have Ertz get open and Stanford to throw for first down. Of Ertz's 66 receptions, 39 of them have been for a first down.

The 2013 Rose Bowl Game takes place on Tuesday, January 1 in Pasadena. Kickoff is at 5:00 p.m. PST, with television coverage provided by ESPN.