Some people would say that bowl games and the bowl game selection process is a bit bloated. Well I say, we don’t need that energy in our lives. The last hurrah of the college football season has some stinkers, but there are stinkers weekly in the NCAA and NFL.
More football is more entertainment, more football is more information on prospects, more football is more football! And none of those things are ever bad.
I’m not going to be making my win/loss predictions here (they’ll be coming soon) but I will be naming some players to watch in each and every game. These are guys you could very well be seeing play on Sunday in the near future. While you’re here make sure you check out my latest NFL draft big board and all the other great content on our website.
Disclaimer
Fans of college football will notice some glaring omissions from the watch list portion of these games. Unfortunately many young men are choosing to opt out of bowl games to protect their NFL futures. I support their decision 1000% and it is all the more reason for the NCAA to start paying these players, at minimum, a living wage. There may be more opt-outs with plenty of time before bowl season is in full swing, but I will try to be as accurate as possible on the game day status of these players.
Dec. 17
Bahamas Bowl
Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium (Nassau, Bahamas)
12pm on ESPN
Middle Tennessee (6–6)
vs
Toledo (7–5)
Players to watch
Middle Tennessee:
Robert Jones, Offensive Guard
Toledo:
Jamal Hines, Edge
Sam Womack, Cornerback
Cure Bowl
Camping World Stadium (Orlando, Fla.)
6 p.m. on ESPN2
Northern Illinois (9–4)
vs
Coastal Carolina (10–2)
Players to watch
Northern Illinois:
Marques Cox, Offensive Tackle
Coastal Carolina:
Grayson McCall, Quarterback
Jeffery Gunter, Edge
Isaiah Likely, Tight End
D’Jordan Strong, Cornerback
Dec. 18
Boca Raton Bowl
FAU Stadium (Boca Raton, Fla.)
11 a.m. on ESPN
Western Kentucky (8–5)
vs
Appalachian State (10–3)
Players to watch
Western Kentucky:
Bailey Zappe, Quarterback
Deangelo Malone, Edge
Appalachian State:
Ryan Huff, Safety
Celebration Bowl
Mercedes Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
12pm on ABC
South Carolina State (6–5)
vs
Jackson State (11–1)
Players to watch
South Carolina State:
Decobie Durant, Cornerback
Jackson State:
De’Jahn Warren, Cornerback
New Mexico Bowl
University Stadium (Albuquerque, N.M.)
2:15 p.m. on ESPN
UTEP (7–5)
vs
Fresno State (9–3)
Players to watch
UTEP:
Jacob Cowing, Wide Receiver
Fresno State:
Evan Williams, Defensive Back
Jacob Haener, Quarterback
Jalen Cropper, Wide Receiver
Independence Bowl
Independence Stadium (Shreveport, La.)
3:30 p.m. on ABC
UAB (8–4)
vs
No. 13 BYU (10–2)
Players to watch
UAB:
Noah Wilder, Linebacker
Dewayne McBride, Running Back
BYU:
Tyler Allgeier, Running Back
Ben Bywater, Linebacker
Malik Moore, Cornerback
LendingTree Bowl
Ladd-Peebles Stadium (Mobile, Ala.)
5:45 p.m. on ESPN
Eastern Michigan (7–5)
vs
Liberty (7–5)
Players to watch
Eastern Michigan:
Jose Ramirez, Edge
Liberty:
Malik Willis, Quarterback
Storey Jackson, Linebacker
LA Bowl
SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, Calif.)
7:30 p.m. on ABC
Utah State (10–3)
vs
Oregon State (7–5)
Players to watch
Utah State:
Deven Thompkins, Wide Receiver
Justin Rice, Linebacker
Oregon State:
Nathan Elridge, Center
New Orleans Bowl
Mercedes-Benz Superdome (New Orleans)
9:15 p.m. on ESPN
No. 23 Louisiana (12–1)
vs
Marshall (7–5)
Players to watch
Louisiana:
Chauncey Manac, Edge
Marshall:
Rasheen Ali, Runningback
Dec. 20
Myrtle Beach Bowl
Brooks Stadium (Conway, S.C.)
2:30 p.m. on ESPN
Old Dominion (6–6)
vs
Tulsa (6–6)
Players to watch
Old Dominion:
Jordan Young, Linebacker
Tulsa:
Jaxon Player, Defensive Tackle
Dec. 21
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Albertsons Stadium (Boise, Idaho)
3:30 p.m. on ESPN
Kent State (7–6)
vs
Wyoming (6–6)
Players to watch
Kent State:
Dante Cephas, Wide Receiver
Wyoming:
Chad Muma, Linebacker
Frisco Bowl
Toyota Stadium (Frisco, Texas)
7:30 p.m. on ESPN
UTSA (12–1)
vs
No. 24 San Diego State (11–2)
Players to watch
UTSA:
Sincere McCormick, Running Back
San Diego State:
Cameron Thomas, Edge
Tayler Hawkins, Cornerback
Dec. 22
Armed Forces Bowl
Amon G. Carter Stadium (Fort Worth, Texas)
8 p.m. on ESPN
Missouri (6–6)
vs
Army (8–3)
Players to watch
Missouri:
Tyler Badie, Running Back
Akayleb Evans, Cornerback
Army:
Andre Carter II, Edge
Dec. 23
Frisco Football Classic
Toyota Stadium (Frisco, Texas)
3:30 p.m. on ESPN
North Texas (6–6)
vs
Miami-Ohio (6–6)
Players to watch
North Texas:
Dion Novil, Defensive Tackle
Miami-Ohio:
Jack Sorenson, Wide Receiver
Ivan Pace Jr., Linebacker
Gasparilla Bowl
Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, Fla.)
7 p.m. on ESPN
UCF (8–4)
vs
Florida (6–6)
Players to watch
UCF:
Kalia Davis, Defensive Tackle
Big Kat Bryant, Edge
Florida:
Kaiir Elam, Cornerback
Jeremiah Moon, Linebacker
Brenton Cox Jr., Edge
Dec. 24
Hawai’i Bowl
Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex (Honolulu)
8 p.m. on ESPN
Memphis (6–6)
vs
Hawai’i (6–7)
Players to watch
Memphis:
JJ Russell, Linebacker
Calvin Austin III, Wide Receiver
Hawai’i:
Darius Muasau, Linebacker
Nick Mardner, Wide Receiver
Dec. 25
Camellia Bowl
Cramton Bowl (Montgomery, Ala.)
2:30 p.m. on ESPN
Georgia State (7–5)
vs
Ball State (6–6)
Players to watch
Georgia State:
Antavious Lane, Safety
Ball State:
Christian Albright, Edge
Dec. 27
Quick Lane Bowl
Ford Field (Detroit)
11 a.m. on ESPN
Western Michigan (7–5)
vs
Nevada (8–4)
Players to watch
Western Michigan: Skyy Moore, Wide Receiver
Nevada:
Carson Strong, Quarterback
Romeo Doubs, Wide Receiver
Military Bowl
Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium (Annapolis, Md.)
2:30 p.m. on ESPN
Boston College (6–6)
vs
East Carolina (7–5)
Players to watch
Boston College:
Zion Johnson, Offensive Guard
Alec Lindstrom, Center
Zay Flowers, Wide Receiver
Phil Jurkovec, Quarterback
East Carolina:
Ja’Quan McMillian, Cornerback
Dec. 28
Birmingham Bowl
Protective Life Stadium (Birmingham, Ala.)
12pm on ESPN
No. 20 Houston (11–2)
vs
Auburn (6–6)
Players to watch
Houston:
Logan Hall, Edge
Nathaniel Dell, Wide Receiver
Auburn:
Roger McCreary, Cornerback
Derick Hall, Edge
Zakoby McLain, Linebacker
First Responder Bowl
Gerald J. Ford Stadium (Dallas)
3:15 p.m. on ESPN
Air Force (9–3)
vs
Louisville (6–6)
Players to watch
Air Force:
Vince Sanford, Linebacker
Brad Roberts, Running Back
Louisville:
Malik Cunningham, Quarterback
Bralen Trahan, Safety
Caleb Chandler, Offensive Guard
Liberty Bowl
Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium (Memphis, Tenn.)
6:45 p.m. on ESPN
Mississippi State (7–5)
vs
Texas Tech (6–6)
Players to watch
Mississippi State:
Will Rodgers, Quarterback
Charles Cross, Offensive Tackle
Martin Emerson, Cornerback
Jalen Green, Cornerback
Texas Tech:
Colin Schooler, Linebacker
Erik Ezukanma, Wide Receiver
Holiday Bowl
Petco Park (San Diego)
8 p.m. on Fox
UCLA (8–4)
vs
No. 18 NC State (9–3)
Players to watch
UCLA:
Sean Rhyan, Offensive Tackle
Zach Charbonnet, Running Back
Qwauntrezz Knight, Safety
NC State:
Ikem Ekwonu, Offensive Tackle
Drake Thomas, Linebacker Devin Leary, Quarterback
Guaranteed Rate Bowl
Chase Field (Phoenix)
10:15 p.m. on ESPN
West Virginia (6–6)
vs
Minnesota (8–4)
Players to watch
West Virginia: Dante Stills, Defensive Tackle
Leddie Brown, Running Back
Minnesota:
John Michael Schmitz, Center
Daniel Faalele, Offensive Tackle
Boye Mafe, Edge
Dec. 29
Fenway Bowl
Fenway Park (Boston)
11 a.m. on ESPN
SMU (8–4)
vs
Virginia (6–6)
Players to watch
SMU:
Reggie Roberson Jr., Wide Receiver
Tanner Mordecai, Quarterback
Virginia:
Brennan Armstrong, Quarterback
Jelani Woods, Tight End
Nick Jackson, Linebacker
Dontayvion Wicks, Wide Receiver
Pinstripe Bowl
Yankee Stadium (New York)
2:15 p.m. on ESPN
Maryland (6–6)
vs
Virginia Tech (6–6)
Players to watch
Maryland: Taulia Tagovailoa, Quarterback
Virginia Tech:
Brock Hoffman, Center
Cheez-It Bowl
Camping World Stadium (Orlando, Fla.)
5:45 p.m. on ESPN
No. 19 Clemson (9–3)
vs
Iowa State (7–5)
Players to watch
Clemson:
Andrew Booth Jr., Cornerback Justyn Ross, Wide Receiver
DJ Uiagalelei, Quarterback
Tyler Davis, Defensive Tackle
Iowa State:
Brock Purdy, Quarterback Breece Hall, Running Back
Charlie Kolar, Tight End Will McDonald, Edge
Alamo Bowl
Alamodome (San Antonio)
9:15 p.m. on ESPN
No. 14 Oregon (10–3)
vs
No. 16 Oklahoma (10–2)
Players to watch
Oregon:
Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, Offensive Tackle
Mykael Wright, Cornerback
CJ Verdell, Running Back
Travis Dye, Running Back
Noah Sewell, Linebacker Verone McKinley III,Safety
Oklahoma:
Caleb Williams, Quarterback
Marvin Mims, Wide Receiver Brian Asamoah, Linebacker
Marquis Hayes, Offensive Guard
Dec. 30
Duke’s Mayo Bowl
Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte, N.C.)
11:30 a.m. on ESPN
North Carolina (6–6)
vs
South Carolina (6–6)
Players to watch
North Carolina: Sam Howell, Quarterback
Jeremiah Gemmel, Linebacker
Ty Chandler, Running Back
Josh Downs, Wide Receiver
South Carolina:
Kingsley Enagbare, Edge
Zachh Pickens, Defensive Tackle
Jaylan Foster, Cornerback
Music City Bowl
Nissan Stadium (Nashville)
3 p.m. on ESPN
Tennessee (7–5)
vs
Purdue (8–4)
Players to watch
Tennessee:
Cedric Tillman, Wide Receiver
Cade Mays, Offensive Tackle
Purdue:
George Karlaftis, Edge
David Bell, Wide Receiver Cam Allen, Safety
Las Vegas Bowl
Allegiant Stadium (Las Vegas)
10:30 p.m. on ESPN
Wisconsin (8–4)
vs
Arizona State (8–4)
Players to watch
Wisconsin:
Jake Ferguson, Tight End
Leo Chenal, Linebacker Jack Sanborn, Linebacker
Braelon Allen, Running Back
Arizona State:
Kellen Diesch, Offensive Tackle
Peach Bowl
Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
7 p.m. on ESPN
No. 10 Michigan State (10-2)
vs
No. 12 Pittsburgh (11-2)
Players to watch
Michigan State:
Kenneth Walker III, Running Back
Jacub Panasiuk, Edge
Xavier Henderson, Safety
Jalen Nailor, Wide Receiver
Pittsburgh: Kenny Pickett, Quarterback
Calijah Cancey, Defensive Tackle
Jordan Addison, Wide Receiver
Dec. 31
Gator Bowl
TIAA Bank Field (Jacksonville, Fla.)
11 a.m. on ESPN
No. 17 Wake Forest (10–3)
vs
No. 25 Texas A&M (8–4)
Players to watch
Wake Forest:
Sam Hartman, Quarterback
A.T Hartman, Wide Receiver
Luiji Vilain, Edge
Jaquarii Roberson, Wide Receiver Ja’Sir Taylor, Cornerback
Texas A&M:
Kenyon Green, Offensive Guard
Isaiah Spiller, Running Back
Jaylen Wydermyer, Tight End
Demani Richardson, Safety Ainias Smith, Wide Receiver
Sun Bowl
Sun Bowl Stadium (El Paso, Texas)
12:30 p.m. on CBS
Washington State (7–5)
vs
Miami (7–5)
Players to watch
Washington State:
Abe Lucas, Offensive Tackle
Max Borghi, Running Back
Jahad Woods, Linebacker
Miami:
Bubba Bolden, Safety
Zion Nelson, Tackle
Will Mallory, Tight End
Arizona Bowl
Arizona Stadium (Tucson, Ariz.)
5:30 p.m on Barstoolsports.com
Central Michigan (8–4)
vs
Boise State (7–5)
Players to watch
Central Michigan:
Bernhard Raimann, Offensive Tackle
Luke Goedeke, Offensive Tackle
Jamezz Kimbrough, Center
Boise State:
Khalil Shakir, Wide Receiver
Riley Whimpey, Linebacker
JL Skinner, Safety
Jan. 1
Outback Bowl
Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, Fla.)
12pm on ESPN2
Penn State (7–5)
vs
No. 21 Arkansas (8–4)
Players to watch
Penn State:
Jaquan Brisker, Safety Jahan Dotson, Wide Receiver
Brandon Smith, Linebacker
Joey Porter Jr., Cornerback
Tariq Castro-Fields, Cornerback
Rasheed Walker, Offensive Tackle
Arnold Ebiketie, Edge
Arkansas:
Jalen Catalon, Safety
John Ridgeway, Defensive Tackle
Ricky Stromberg, Center
Bumper Pool, Linebacker
Citrus Bowl
Camping World Stadium (Orlando, Fla.)
1 p.m. on ABC
No. 15 Iowa (10–3)
vs
No. 22 Kentucky (9–3)
Players to watch
Iowa:
Tyler Linderbaum, Center
Riley Moss, Cornerback
Matt Hankins, Cornerback
Jack Campbell, Linebacker
Kentucky:
Darian Kinnard, Offensive Tackle
Wan’Dale Robinson, Wide Receiver
Josh Paschal, Defensive Tackle
Chris Rodriguez Jr., Running Back
Luke Fortner, Center
Fiesta Bowl
State Farm Stadium (Glendale, AZ)
1 p.m. on ESPN
No. 9 Oklahoma State (11-2)
vs
No. 5 Notre Dame (11-1)
Players to watch
Oklahoma State:
Malcolm Rodriguez, Linebacker
Tre Sterling, Safety
Josh Sills, Offensive Guard
Tay Martin, Wide Receiver
Notre Dame:
Jarrett Patterson, Center
Michael Mayer, Tight End
Isaiah Foskey, Edge
Justin Ademilola, Edge
Rose Bowl
Rose Bowl Stadium (Pasadena, CA)
5 p.m. on ESPN
No. 11 Utah (10-3)
vs
No. 6 Ohio State (11-2)
Players to watch
Utah:
Devin Lloyd, Linebacker
Nephi Sewell, Linebacker Tavion Thomas, Running Back
Mika Tafua, Edge
Ohio State:
Garrett Wilson, Wide Receiver
Chris Olave, Wide Receiver CJ Stroud, Quarterback
Nicholas Petit-Frere, Offensive Tackle
Haskell Garrett, Defensive Tackle
Thayer Munford, Offensive Guard
Zach Harrison, Edge
Sevyn Banks, Cornerback
Marcus Hooker, Safety
Sugar Bowl
Caesars Superdome (New Orleans, LA)
8:45 p.m. on ESPN
No. 7 Baylor (11-2)
vs
No. 8 Ole Miss (10-2)
Players to watch
Baylor:
Jalen Pitre, Safety
Abram Smith, Running Back
Terrel Bernard, Linebacker
JT Woods, Safety
Ole Miss:
Matt Corral, Quarterback Dontario Drummond, Wide Receiver
Ben Brown, Offensive Guard
Nick Broeker, Offensive Tackle
Jan. 4
Texas Bowl
NRG Stadium (Houston)
9 p.m. on ESPN
LSU (6–6)
vs
Kansas State (7–5)
Players to watch
LSU:
Damone Clark, Linebacker
Ed Ingram, Offensive Guard
Tyrion Davis-Price, Running Back Neil Farrell Jr., Defensive Tackle
Kansas State:
Russ Yeast, Cornerback
Deuce Vaughn, Running Back
Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Edge
College Football Playoffs
Orange Bowl
Hard Rock Stadium (Miami, FL)
Dec. 31
7:30 p.m. on ESPN
No. 3 Georgia (12-1)
vs
No. 2 Michigan (12-1)
Players to watch
Georgia:
Nakobe Dean, Linebacker James Cook, Running Back
George Pickens, Wide Receiver
Brock Bowers, Tight End
Jordan Davis, Defensive Tackle
Lewis Cine, Safety
Nolan Smith, Linebacker Jamaree Salyer, Offensive Guard
Derion Kendrick, Cornerback
Michigan:
Aidan Hutchinson, Edge
David Ojabo, Edge
Daxton Hill, Safety
Hassan Haskins, Running Back
Andrew Stueber, Offensive Tackle
Cotton Bowl
AT&T Stadium (Arlington, TX)
Dec. 31
3:30 p.m. on ESPN
No. 1 Alabama (12-1)
vs
No. 4 Cincinnati (13-0)
Players to watch
Alabama:
Evan Neal, Offensive Tackle
Bryce Young, Quarterback Brian Robinson Jr., Running Back
Jameson Williams, Wide Receiver
Jordan Battle, Safety
Christian Harris, Linebacker
Will Anderson Jr., Edge
Josh Jobe, Cornerback
Henry To’o-To’o, Linebacker Pierce Quick, Offensive Tackle
Cincinnati:
Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, Cornerback
Desmond Ridder, Quarterback
Myjai Sanders, Edge
Coby Bryant, Cornerback Jerome Ford, Running Back
Darrian Beavers, Linebacker
Alec Pierce, Wide Receiver
Deshawn Pace, Linebacker