This installment finally brings us to New Year's Day. And thanks to the bowl season now nearly stretching into mid-January, we no longer have quite the overwhelming amount of college football games on the first day of the new year. But the college football diehard still has enough January 1 action to draw plenty of sighs of disgust from his better half.
There are two five-star games in this group: Virginia Tech vs. Tennessee and the Rose Bowl game between Ohio State and Oregon. Each screams instant classic.
Penn State vs. LSU is a four-star game, but only a two-star fantasy tilt. Florida State vs. West Virginia and Northwestern vs. Auburn are worth the time of fantasy owners and college fans.
And the Insight Bowl is the poster child for those that argue there are simply too many bowls.
Insight Bowl
Minnesota vs. Iowa State
Impact Fantasy Players
Minnesota: QB Adam Weber, RB Kevin Whaley, TE Nick Tow-Arnett
Iowa State: QB Austen Arnaud, RB Alexander Robinson,
Numbers to Ponder
Minnesota cannot run the ball (112th) thus the Gophers are 113th in the nation in total offense.
Iowa State is 99th in total defense, so we could see some points scored almost by default.
Eye towards 2010
MarQueis Gray and Kevin Whaley are the Gophers to watch, as Tim Brewster's future in Minny will depend on these two.
Everybody but Marquis Hamilton will return for the Cyclones, and this offense will be better in 2010.
Final thoughts
I just can't do it. I've searched for a reason to watch this one, and I just can't find it. There will be a nice chunk of Iowa State fans at this game, and good for them. However no one else will be there, and truth be told, it's hard to argue that either of these teams should still be playing.
Chick-fil-A Bowl
Virginia Tech vs. Tennessee
Impact Fantasy Players
Virginia Tech: RB Ryan Williams, QB Tyrod Taylor, WR Jarrett Boykin
Tennessee: RB Montario Hardesty, QB Jonathan Crompton, TE Luke Stocker, WR Denarius Moore
Numbers to Ponder
Though the Vols are 17th in total defense, their strength rests in pass defense. They're only 58th against the run. Taylor will have to throw it some so that Monte is not facing a one-dimensional offense.
The Hokie defense is almost a mirror image of Tennessee: great against the pass but susceptible (52nd) to the run. Tell me whether Hardesty or Williams runs better and I'll tell you who wins this one.
Eye towards 2010
The Hokies are gearing up for a national title run in 2010, and we know what Ryan Williams can do. However watch the receivers, especially Jarrett Boykin.
Crompton and Hardesty will give way to Nick Stephens and Bryce Brown in 2010. And both could be SEC fantasy stars.
Final thoughts
This is a great matchup of two of the country's top defensive coordinators. Monte Kiffin and Bud Foster will have their boys ready to stop the other team's top back. And because there's a very good chance that Hardesty and Wiliams cancel each other out, this one will come down to which quarterback makes more plays, be it with his arm (Crompton) or his legs (Taylor).
Outback Bowl
Auburn vs. Northwestern
Impact Fantasy Players
Auburn: RB Ben Tate, WR Darvin Adams, QB Chris Todd
Northwestern: QB Mike Kafka, WR Andrew Brewer
Numbers to Ponder
Auburn's 13th ranked rushing attack is the driving force behind a top-twenty offense. Unfortunately they can't stop the run (80th) in a like manner.
Northwestern's lackluster run attack will not be able to take advantage of the Tiger defense. Kafka will need to win this one.
Eye towards 2010
Auburn's future is QB Tyrik Rollison, WR Onterio McCalebb and WR DeAngelo Benton, though only McCalebb will see a key role in this one.
Young back Arby Fields has impressed in 2009, and he could be a Big Ten factor next season.
Final thoughts
Both teams are incorrectly viewed by many as spread-em-out and wing it offensive units, when each actually wants to control the ball and eat a little clock if it can. This one will be a lower-scoring affair than many expect, with the result hinging on Kafka's performance.
Capital One Bowl
Penn State vs. LSU
Impact Fantasy Players
Penn State: QB Daryll Clark, RB Evan Royster, WR Graham Zug
LSU: WR Brandon LaFell, QB Jordan Jefferson
Numbers to Ponder
Penn State boasts a top ten defense (only allowing 11.8 points per game) and a balanced offensive attack.
While LSU is only allowing 16 points per game, the offense (ranked 108) will leave the defense little room for error.
Eye towards 2010
All Penn State receivers (and probably both Royster and Stephfon Green) return but Daryll Clark will not. Should Kevin Newsome see some snaps then take note.
Watch Jordan Jefferson and Russell Shepard.
Final thought
This is a great matchup as opposed to a great fantasy matchup. I give the edge to the team with a senior quarterback and a healthy running game. Still this LSU squad has won ugly, and each of the three losses has been a game that was in doubt in the fourth quarter.
Konica Minolta Gator Bowl
West Virginia vs. Florida State
Impact Fantasy Players
West Virginia: Noel Devine, Jarrett Brown, WR Jock Sanders
Florida State: RB Jermaine Thomas, WR Rod Owens, QB E.J. Manuel
Numbers to Ponder
It's incredible to see a Seminole defense ranked 110th nationally. They've only been able to contain Jacksonville State and South Florida this season.
West Virginia is averaging 183 yards per game on the ground; Mickey Andrews may go out on a sour note.
Eye Towards 2010
West Virginia's Eugene Smith is next in line at quarterback. He won't play in this one, but two other building blocks (Ryan Clarke and Bradley Starks) will.
A great E.J. Manuel performance may make it harder for Jimbo Fisher to just hand the job back to the injured Christian Ponder.
Final Thought
The Bowden/Andrews swan song will be played out, however if the Noles cannot keep Jarrett Brown in the pocket and Noel Devine away from the edge then this one could get ugly.
Rose Bowl
Ohio State vs. Oregon
Impact Fantasy Players
Ohio State: QB Terrelle Pryor, RB Daniel Herron, WR DeVier Posey
Oregon: RB LaMichael James, QB Jeremiah Masoli, TE Ed Dickson, WR Jeffrey Maehl
Numbers to Ponder
The Buckeye defense does everything well, ranking 5th in total defense. But they haven't seen an offense like this.
The Ducks bring the 6th best ground attack, so this is yet another bowl game that features a strength vs. strength battle.
Eye towards 2010
We'll miss seeing WR Duron Carter (academic issue) but we can always spend three more hours putting Terrelle Pryor under the microscope. Remember, next year he'll only be a junior.
Masoli and James will be among the top players at their positions. And we'll continue to wait for Jamere Holland.
Final thoughts
The fact that Terelle Pryor gave some consideration to attending Oregon is an interesting subplot to the Grandaddy. After watching young Mr. Pryor it's difficult to envision him playing with the fearless style exhibited by Jeremiah Masoli. And this is not a complete indictment of Pryor. It's part QB and part system.
And on the Oregon side it'll be interesting to see what role LeGarrette Blount plays in this one, because if it comes down to eating a little clock you can bet Chip Kelly will trot the big fella out and play a little smashmouth.