The matchups have been announced, the hotels have been booked and fans nationwide are getting gouged by the airlines. It's that time of year. The bowl season kicks off in New Mexico and will end about three weeks later in Pasadena. And even with a handful of lousy tilts mixed in among the intriguing ones, there's still plenty of reasons for excitement among college fantasy footballers.
We'll take a glance at each of the 34 (yes...34) bowl games on the horizon over the next couple of weeks, and we'll do so a handful of games at a time. First up are the "Egg Nog" games of the 09-10 bowl season.
Just as you often wonder why you're drinking something called egg nog, you may question the wisdom of tuning in for some of these bowl clashes below. But nothing can make the pain of hearing about Uncle Ted's kidney stone more bearable than a little booze and football.
Tis the season.
New Mexico Bowl
Fresno State vs. Wyoming
Impact Fantasy Players
Fresno: RB Ryan Mathews, RB Lonyae Miller, WR Seyi Ajirotutu
Wyoming: QB Austyn Carta-Samuels, RB Alvester Alexander
Numbers to Ponder
Wyoming is ranked 83rd defensively and 111th in total offense. Think there may be a few too many bowls?
Fresno is 111th against the run, but they're 7th in rushing offense.
Eye towards 2010
It's starting to feel like Ryan Mathews will give the NFL Draft a shot, thus owners will want to take a look at young running back Robbie Rouse, a freshman who could be the heir apparent.
And while Dave Christensen has a long way to go before his Cowboys are scoring like the Missouri Tigers, there is some young talent. Carta-Samuels was named MWC Freshman of the Year, and the quarterback should team with Alexander to at least serve as a fantasy option in 2010.
Final thoughts
Run Ryan, Run. This game will get out of hand early. Fresno's losses this season have come in Madison, vs. Boise @ Cincinnati and @ Nevada. Ryan Mathews is going to put on one heck of a show, though Wyoming could keep up for a little while. If the Cowboys cannot keep pace then Mathews' owners may see their star tailback sitting on his helmet for much of the 2nd half.
St. Petersburg Bowl
UCF vs. Rutgers
Impact Fantasy Players
UCF: RB Brynn Harvey, WR Kamar Aiken
Rutgers: RB Joe Martinek, WR Mohamed Sanu, QB Tom Savage
Numbers to Ponder
Central Florida is fourth nationally against the run, making Rutgers workhorse Joe Martinek a risky prop, especially with a freshman quarterback at the helm.
Rutgers is ranked 20th against the run, which becomes an even more impressive number when one considers the caliber of back (Lewis, Devine, Dixon, Todman) they've seen this season. Brynn Harvey will not strike a ton of fear.
Eye towards 2010
Watch Rutgers freshman wide receiver Mohamed Sanu. There's a good chance that star receiver Tim Brown (ankle) will miss the game, and Sanu will serve as Tom Savage's top target. And these two will be expected to team up often in the coming years.
Central Florida wide receiver A.J. Guyton has had an impressive (43-569-1) redshirt sophomore campaign, and 2010 could be a breakout season. Following an impressive true freshman year Guyton missed 2008 with an ACL. We may see a nice performance serve as a springboard.
Final thoughts
If Rutgers star receiver and team leader Tim Brown cannot go then the Scarlet Knights' offense takes a huge hit. It's sounding very likely that he's played in his final collegiate contest. And if Rutgers can contain Brynn Harvey then this game becomes a fantasy yawner.
R + L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
Southern Miss vs. Middle Tennessee State
Impact Fantasy Players
Southern Miss: RB Damion Fletcher, WR DeAndre Brown, QB Martevious Young, TE Leroy Banks
MTSU: QB Dwight Dasher, WR Patrick Honeycutt
Numbers to Ponder
Southern Miss is 113th against the pass. Tony Franklin is licking his chops.
Middle Tennessee played @Clemson, @Maryland and against Mississippi State, and they allowed an average of 32 points. Not bad for a defense that spends a lot of time on the field.
Eye towards 2010
Southern Miss running back Tracy Lampley has returned a punt and a kickoff for a touchdown this season, and the burner appears ready to step into the huge shoes that will be left behind by star tailback Damion Fletcher. One to watch boys and girls...
Any fantasy owner who has not had the opportunity to watch MTSU quarterback Dwight Dasher should tune in for a little treat. If you thought the junior was impressive in year one under OC Tony Franklin, just wait until 2010.
Final thoughts
Southern Miss wide receiver DeAndre Brown returns to the scene of his horrific leg injury last year, and it finally looks like this stud sophomore is nearing 100%. Look for a huge game from Brown in addition to an impressive outing from Dasher.
MAACO Bowl Las Vegas
Oregon State vs. Brigham Young
Impact Fantasy Players
Oregon State: RB Jacquizz Rodgers, WR James Rodgers, QB Sean Canfield, TE Joe Halahuni
Brigham Young: TE Dennis Pitta, QB Max Hall, RB Harvey Unga, WR McKay Jacobson
Numbers to Ponder
OSU has Quizz, but they're only ranked 64th running the football. However they're 21st in passing offense, which is a testament to the maturation of Sean Canfield.
BYU comes in on a four-game win streak, and the Beavers will throw nothing at Max Hall that will take the senior by surprise.
Eye towards 2010
Harvey Unga may decide to give the NFL a shot should the junior grow tired of taking hits without pay. So owners will want to see which BYU sophomore impresses more, J.J. Di Luigi or Bryan Kariya.
Jacquizz Rodgers isn't going anywhere, and it's hard to see brother James leaving Corvallis. But there is another skill player who could make a huge impact as early as next season. Oregon State RS freshman wide receiver Jordan Bishop didn't post huge numbers in 2009, but it's a matter of time. He's a very talented athlete operating in a dynamic offensive scheme.
Final thoughts
BYU is headed to Las Vegas for the fifth straight year, which is like sending Tim Tebow over to Amsterdam a bunch of times. Typically we like taking BYU in this game due to confidence that their players will not fall victim to the temptations of Sin City. But with BYU back in Vegas...again, and Oregon State coming off a devastating loss to in-state rival Oregon, it'll take all that Kyle Whittingham and Mike Riley can do in order to fire up their squads.
Still this game has far too many fantasy stalwarts to discount it as a punt-fest between uninspired squads. Both coaches could turn their offenses loose and we may have another entertaining Vegas show.
San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl
Utah vs. California
Impact Fantasy Players
Utah: RB Eddie Wide, WR David Reed, WR Jereme Brooks
Cal: RB Shane Vereen, QB Kevin Riley, WR Marvin Jones
Numbers to Ponder
Cal is a top-30 defense against the run, so it's expected that the Bears will not let Eddie Wide beat them, instead look for Tedford's boys to dare young Jordan Wynn to air it out.
Only TCU torched the Utah defense, otherwise they've been a stout unit, ranking 20th overall and ninth against the run.
Eye towards 2010
Kevin Riley has held off youngsters Beau Sweeney and Brock Mansion, thus the senior-to-be looks like the clear favorite to lead the offense in 2010. And we're betting that Jahvid Best will test the NFL waters, making Shane Vereen a top fantasy back heading into next season. Wide receiver Marvin Jones appears on the verge of a breakout 2010.
Though Eddie Wide will return next year, fantasy owners will be wise to check out fellow backs Sausan Shakerin and Shaky Smithson. And wide receiver DeVonte Christopher has future star written all over him.
Final thought
Both teams limp into San Diego coming off losses. Cal was smoked by Washington while the Utes lost a heartbreaker to BYU. When Cal lost they didn't mess around, as they were outscored by a combined 145-30 in losses to Oregon, Southern Cal, Oregon State and Washington. Utah lost close ones to BYU and Oregon in addition to the beatdown at TCU.
This game has the makings of a defensive battle, one where two traditionally well-coached squads look to avoid turnovers and play a little field position. In other words, this is one for fantasy owners to avoid when it comes to the Bowl Challenge.
Sheraton Hawaii Bowl
SMU vs. Nevada
Impact Fantasy Players
SMU: QB Kyle Padron, RB Shawnbrey McNeal, WR Emmanuel Sanders, WR Aldrick Robinson, WR Terrance Wilkerson
Nevada: QB Colin Kaepernick, RB Vai Taua, TE Virgil Green, WR Brandon Wimberly
Numbers to Ponder
The SMU defense is ranked 92nd.
Nevada is 119th against the pass. This is out of 120 teams.
This game is almost too good to be true.
Eye Towards 2010
Colin Kaepernick will be among the first quarterbacks off the board...again, and Vai Taua may go in the first round as well. But with Luke Lippincott missing the game with a broken toe, watch for two youngsters, Mike Ball and Lampford Mark. Both will see carries in the bowl game, and both could be factors in 2010.
Kyle Padron has played so well that a heated off-season quarterback battle with Bo Levi Mitchell seems a certainty. And other than Emmanuel Sanders a whole lot of talent will return for the Mustangs next season.
Final Thought
This is a game that non-fantasy owners just will not understand. This one is guaranteed to be a shootout, a hell of a lot of fun to watch, and in addition to the litany of fantasy stars partaking in the fun, we have two storylines pertaining to SMU.
One, this is the first bowl trip for the Mustangs since the death penalty that devastated the program back in 1986. And it also marks the return of June Jones to the islands, where he revived the Hawaii program before working his magic in Dallas.
We're bummed that Luke Lippincott will miss this one, but this is definitely one where you'll want to avoid the family and kick your feet up.