We move right along to the next six pack of bowl games, beginning in Detroit with the Little Caesars Bowl and wrapping up at the Champs Sports down in Orlando. Ten of the twelve participants are from BCS conferences, and there are a whole bunch of fantasy superstars partaking in the fun.
The one you absolutely cannot miss? Texas A&M vs. Georgia. There will be plenty of stars on the wish lists of fantasy owners in 2010.
Little Caesars Bowl
Marshall vs. Ohio
Impact Fantasy Players
Marshall: RB Darius Marshall, WR Antavious Wilson, QB Bryan Anderson
Ohio: QB Theo Scott, WR Taylor Price, WR LaVon Brazill
Numbers to Ponder
Ohio is 72nd against the run...will Darius Marshall be healthy enough to take advantage?
Marshall is 99th against the pass, and QB Theo Scott is two games removed from a five-score performance.
Eye towards 2010
For Marshall much depends on who's roaming the sidelines next season. However in Antavious Wilson and Aaron Dobson the Thundering Herd have two young, talented wide receivers to team with senior-to-be running back Darius Marshall in 2010.
LaVon Brazill and sophomore running backs Donte Harden and Vince Davidson are intriguing options down the road.
Final thoughts
Considering the Pizza Pizza people had visions of a Notre Dame vs. Central Michigan matchup as recently as two weeks ago, this game doesn't inspire too much buzz. Still with two suspect defenses facing off this game does bring some high-scoring potential, with Marshall and Scott as great sleeper options.
Meineke Car Care Bowl
Pittsburgh vs. North Carolina
Impact Fantasy Players
Pitt: RB Dion Lewis, TE Dorin Dickerson, WR Jonathan Baldwin, QB Bill Stull
North Carolina: RB Ryan Houston, WR Greg Little, QB T.J. Yates
Numbers to Ponder
North Carolina is 9th against the rush. And Pitt has Dion Lewis.
Pitt is 26th defensively, but coming off a late-game meltdown at the hands of Cincinnati.
Eye towards 2010
Dion Lewis and Jonathan Baldwin are not only top-flight fantasy stars for 2010, but each will make a whole lot of money on Sundays. But owners will want to keep an eye on another young Panther back as well, as Ray Graham is yet another impressive Wannstedt pull.
North Carolina is a young team that will return a whole bunch of skill talent in 2010, but the Tar Heels spread the wealth so much that it's hard to pinpoint just one or two.
Final thoughts
These are two tough teams that were this close to spectacular seasons. So will these squads be motivated to finish up strong, or will losses to end the regular season linger? It'll be especially interesting to see how Wannstedt rallies the troops following the devastating loss to Cincy.
Emerald Bowl
Boston College vs. USC
Impact Fantasy Players
Boston College: RB Montel Harris, WR Rich Gunnell
USC: RB Joe McKnight, WR Damian Williams, RB Ronald Johnson
Numbers to Ponder
Boston College's defense is 23rd in the country (15th against the run) making it imperative that USC quarterback Matt Barkley makes some plays.
Southern Cal is 42nd against the run, and rest assured the Eagles will look to run early and often.
Eye towards 2010
Matt Barkley has gone from future star to question mark. He won't play against B.C., but Aaron Corp isn't going to sit back and be content holding a clipboard in 2010. Young wideout Brice Butler is a stud.
Montel Harris right and Montel Harris left. He'll go over 300 carries on the season in this one, and he's a top national back in 2010.
Final thoughts
Frank Spaziani guided the Eagles to an 8-4 record in what was supposed to be a rebuilding year. Pete Carroll guided the Trojans to an 8-4 season and the Los Angeles sky is falling.
Mark this down as yet another game where it seems like one team will be a little more motivated to be there. Look for a battle of field position and disappointing fantasy numbers.
Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl
Kentucky vs. Clemson
Impact Fantasy Players
Kentucky: WR Randall Cobb, RB Derrick Locke
Clemson: RB C.J. Spiller, WR Jacoby Ford, QB Kyle Parker, TE Michael Palmer
Numbers to Ponder
Kentucky, behind Cobb and Locke, has the 21st rush offense in the country.
Clemson is 11th nationally defending the pass.
Eye towards 2010
Sure it'll be the Randall Cobb Show for as long as he's in Lexington, however UK has two other impressive wide receivers, freshman LaRod King and JUCO Chris Matthews.
With C.J. Spiller and Jacoby Ford moving on, 2010 will be a brand new era at Clemson. And they'll build for the future on the backs of QB Kyle Parker, and running backs Andre Ellington and Jamie Harper.
Final thoughts
The Music City Bowl is always one of my favorites, and this matchup should do nothing to change this. They'll be a whole bunch of speed and talent on the field, and it's worth tuning in just to take a look at Cobb vs. Spiller, especially since it's the last chance to see Spiller on the college gridiron.
Advocare V100 Independence Bowl
Texas A&M vs. Georgia
Impact Fantasy Players
Texas A&M: QB Jerrod Johnson, WR Jeff Fuller, WR Ryan Tannehill, WR Uzoma Nwachukwu, RB Christine Michael
Georgia: WR A.J. Green, RB Washaun Ealey, TE Orson Charles, QB Joe Cox, RB Caleb King
Numbers to Ponder
Texas A&M gives up points like they're going out of style, ranking 107th in total defense.
Georgia's 30th ranked defense will look to slow an Aggie offense that is 5th nationally.
Eye towards 2010
This game is loaded with young stars. Georgia boasts Green, Ealey, Charles and King. And the Aggies aren't too shabby either. Every Texas A&M skill player of note (except TE Jamie McCoy) will return in 2010.
Final thought
The Advocare V100 Independence Bowl doesn't normally scream must-see, but this game is going to be a whole lot of fun. Jerrod Johnson, the top BCS fantasy quarterback in 2009, will lead an impressive offense against a shoddy SEC defense.
Can the Dawgs keep up?
Champs Sports Bowl
Wisconsin vs. Miami
Impact Fantasy Players
Wisconsin: RB John Clay, TE Garrett Graham, WR Nick Toon, QB Scott Tolzien
Miami: QB Jacory Harris, RB Javarris James, RB Graig Cooper, WR Leonard Hankerson
Numbers to Ponder
Wisconsin runs it well (15th in country) and stops it (8th ranked) even better.
Miami's 62nd ranked rush offense may put the game in the hands of Jacory Harris, who has thrown 17 picks on the campaign.
Eye Towards 2010
John Clay says he'll be back in 2010, and he'll once again be a top national back. Nick Toon's emergence down the stretch will make him one of the Big Ten's best wide receivers in 2010.
Watch the Cane wide receivers and whether or not Jacoray Harris can avoid throwing it to the guys from Madison.
Final Thought
Look for Scott Tolzien to continue his sound play. The junior improved mightily as the season went on, taking a great deal of pressure off the running game.
A big game from Leonard Hankerson could see the Cane bid adieu to Coral Gables.