And we're moving right along. There was a time when the bowl matchups improved as we neared the end. No more. Now we have Florida and Cincinnati playing in a game that should be only before the national title game...but it's not.
Instead we're treated to South Florida and Northern Illinois playing the day after Tebow kisses us goodbye. And then after Ole Miss and Oklahoma State collide, we have three more January 2nd bowl games with the six combatants boasting a combined 44-29 record. This is akin to playing a couple NIT games immediately between the Final Four semifinals.
Thank heaven for college fantasy football.
AllState Sugar Bowl
Florida vs. Cincinnati
Impact Fantasy Players
Florida: QB Tim Tebow, TE Aaron Hernandez, WR Riley Cooper, RB Jeff Demps
Cincinnati: WR Mardy Gilyard, QB Tony Pike, WR Armon Binns, TE Ben Guidugli, RB Isaiah Pead
Numbers to Ponder
Florida is only allowing 253 yards of offense and 11.54 points per game.
Cincy has allowed an average of 36.5 points allowed over the last four...and none of these opponents were in the same league as the Gators.
Eye Towards 2010
We likely won't get a look at John Brantley, next year's Gator quarterback. But we will see plenty of Jeff Demps and Deonte Thompson, two key contributors in 2010.
Next Bearcat coach Butch Jones will have some nice building blocks: Zach Collaros, Isaiah Pead and Armon Binns, and we may see all three (Collaros included) in this one.
Final Thoughts
Cincinnati will likely move the ball between the 20's, but the Bearcats will struggle to punch it in. Look for the Gators to have no issues moving it or scoring in the red zone.
The Bearcats will need an incredible defensive effort (and a bunch of Gator turnovers) to keep this one close.
International Bowl
South Florida vs. Northern Illinois
Impact Fantasy Players
South Florida: QB B.J. Daniels, WR Carlton Mitchell, RB Moise Plancher
Northern Illinois: RB Chad Spann, RB Me'co Brown, WR Landon Cox
Numbers to Ponder
USF was 2-5 down the stretch, and the defense was gashed for for 34, 41, 31, 31 and 29 points in those losses. They rank 49th against the run.
NIU is 17th in the nation running the ball but only 109th in passing. Sure NIU is one-dimensional, but can USF make them pay?
Eye Towards 2010
Watch B.J. Daniels while realizing that he'll make huge strides before next season, especially with regards to his pocket passing. And shrewd drafters should hope that freshman runner Lindsey Lamar doesn't play. Better to keep him a nice little secret.
Chad Spann scored 20 touchdowns this season, thus he's an early candidate for being a little overvalued next summer.
Final Thoughts
This is not a glamor match by any means, but with the likes of Daniels and Spann partaking it has the chance to provide some fantasy fireworks. In other words, this one's worth a watch.
AT&T Cotton Bowl
Oklahoma State vs. Ole Miss
Impact Fantasy Players
Oklahoma State: Keith Toston, QB Zac Robinson
Ole Miss: WR Dexter McCluster, QB Jevan Snead, WR Shay Hodge
Numbers to Ponder
The Cowboys are 6th nationally against the run, and two of their losses have come at the hands of Case Keenum and Colt McCoy.
Ole Miss is 16th in pass defense and 12th in sacks, so a gimpy Zac Robinson may have to hand it off a bit more than usual.
Eye Towards 2010
Take this opportunity to scout the Oklahoma State wide receivers.
With Snead expected to join McCluster and Hodge out the door, there will be plenty of Ole Miss fantasy points for the taking in 2010; unfortunately we'll have to wait for spring to get a better gauge.
Final Thoughts
With Snead and Robinson going head-to-head we have two of the guttier quarterbacks in the country. Unfortunately we won't have a Dez Bryant vs. Dexter McCluster showdown.
PapaJohns.com Bowl
South Carolina vs. Connecticut
Impact Fantasy Players
South Carolina: WR Alshon Jeffery, TE Weslye Saunders, QB Stephen Garcia
Connecticut: RB Jordan Todman, RB Andre Dixon, WR Marcus Easley
Numbers to Ponder
South Carolina is 12th against the pass, but susceptible (46th) against the run. And UConn really likes to run it.
UConn is 94th against the pass, so look for Stephen Garcia to have a much, much better bowl outing than his nightmare performance against Iowa last season.
Eye Towards 2010
Maybe next year will be the year for South Carolina. The three impact Gamecocks listed above will all return, as will young runners Jarvis Giles and Kenny Miles.
Watching Jordan Todman in this one may mean watching a top ten national fantasy back in 2010. And wide receiver Marcus Easley is on a hot streak, and the former walk-on will be even better (44-853-8 this year) next season.
Final Thoughts
For some strange reason I'm attracted to this game. I know I could end up wishing I had the three hours back, but I'm going to kick my feet up and watch the Ball Coach get mad about stuff. And I have Jordan Todman in a keeper league.
AutoZone Liberty Bowl
Arkansas vs. East Carolina
Impact Fantasy Players
Arkansas: QB Ryan Mallett, WR Greg Childs, RB Broderick Green, WR Joe Adams, TE D.J. Williams
East Carolina: RB Dominique Lindsay, WR Dwayne Harris, QB Patrick Pinkney
Numbers to Ponder
East Carolina is 110th against the pass. Do Arkansas fans want Ryan Mallett playing that well for NFL scouts?
Arkansas ranks 90th in the nation defensively, and the ECU offense will need to give the defense a nice rest. Ball control is a must.
Eye Towards 2010
If this is indeed Ryan Mallett's last game as a Hog then owners will want to file away Tyler Wilson's name.
They'll be a whole lot of new faces at East Carolina in 2010, and no clear back appears the favorite to take over for Dominique Lindsay.
Final Thoughts
Mallett and Lindsay will both explode in this one.
Valero Alamo Bowl
Michigan State vs. Texas Tech
Impact Fantasy Players
Michigan State: QB Kirk Cousins, WR Blair White, WR Keshawn Martin
Texas Tech: QB Taylor Potts, RB Baron Batch, WR Alex Torres, WR Detron Lewis, WR Lyle Leong
Numbers to Ponder
Michigan State is 103rd against the pass and the best Spartan cover corner is suspended for raising a little hell. And MSU is playing against Texas Tech.
The Red Raiders are 47th in total defense, but only tied for 94th (with MSU interestingly enough) in turnover margin. Tech has played some high-powered offenses and shut them down, and the Spartans have shown an affinity for turning it over at times.
Eye Towards 2010
Cousins, Larry Caper and Keshawn Martin could be the Big Ten's dominant fantasy triumvirate in 2010.
A great Taylor Potts performance will make this an easier off-season for fantasy drafters. And Alex Torres is looking like the one to nab in 2010.
Final Thoughts
This game has shootout written all over it, and the Spartans just don't have the arsenal to keep up with the Red Raiders before what should be a partisan Texas Tech crowd.