Bowl Game Previews: December 30-31

Dwight Peebles

After watching the first BCS playoff games, the bowls have a bit of a lull in quality before the New Year’s 6. There are a couple of really good ones which I am looking forward to and a few which feature teams and playing styles which don’t clash often. Sometimes those elements lead to the best football games and hopefully, this slate doesn’t disappoint.

DECEMBER 30

FIRST RESPONDER BOWL – WESTERN KY vs. WESTERN MI

One of the few bowl games taking place in Texas, the Hilltoppers’ come into the matchup at 8-4 overall and 6-2 in the Conference USA. The Broncos of Western Michigan finished 7-5 overall and 5-3 in the MAC, making their second straight bowl appearance. The game takes place at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in University Park, Texas and has a 52-point over/under.

WHO TO WATCH

Ty Storey is an Arkansas transfer, arriving in Western Kentucky to helm a potent offense for a team coming into the bowl game having won three straight. He is a solid college quarterback with two small and electric possession receivers in Lucky Jackson and Jahcour Pearson. Both are smaller players at 5’9” and 180 pounds, both caught over 70 balls this season, and both are juniors. The most enticing prospect for the Hilltoppers comes on the defensive side of the ball. DeAngelo Malone is one to watch – he raked in 90 tackles and 11.5 sacks this season from the edge position.

The Broncos are led by their senior running back Levante Bellamy, who is questionable for the game. If he plays, keep an eye on the back. He has been a horse for the Broncos and rushed for over 1,400 yards and 23 scores this season. Bellamy has displayed a knack for catching out of the backfield in college, catching 30 passes in 2018. He lacks the ideal size at 5’9” and 195 pounds but could find a role in the NFL. Another enticing prospect for the Broncos is senior tight end Giovanni Ricci. Ricci is a little slight for the prototypical NFL TE at 6’3” and 240 pounds. He caught 47 balls in 2019 with 622 yards and eight scores to lead the Broncos in receiving. Ricci is an interesting prospect – a good route runner with good hands but only has one season starting at TE, converting from wide receiver.

MUSIC CITY- LOUISVILLE AND MISSISSIPPI STATE

The Cardinals take the short jaunt down the road to Nashville, Tennessee to take on the Bulldogs on Mississippi State in this interesting matchup. The Bulldogs switched starting quarterbacks this week due to an altercation after a practice and barely squeaked into bowl eligibility at 6-6 overall and a 3-5 tally in the SEC. Louisville brings a 7-5 record to Nissan Stadium and was 5-3 in the ACC.

WHO TO WATCH

The Bulldogs feature junior running back Kylin Hill, an electric all-purpose back who is entering the NFL Draft in 2020. There is a lot to love about Hill’s game and he led the SEC in rushing with 1,347 yards and chipped in ten scores. He also caught 22 passes in 2018, as well as 17 in 2019. Hill loves to hit and is tough to bring down but lacks elusive moves and long speed. The pre-draft process could give him a chance to improve his draft stock but I see Hill as a late day-two and possible early day-three draft prospect.

Louisville’s explosive offense is directed by sophomore Malik Cunningham, who threw for 1,700 yards and 20 scores while also rushing for 400 yards and six more touchdowns. The Cardinals feature two second-year starters who can score anytime they touch the ball. The most intriguing prospect to watch is Javian Hawkins. He is a small back at 5’9” and 180 pounds but isn’t afraid to rush up the middle, has great vision to find creases, and can take hits. Hawkins rushed for over 1.400 yards and eight scores while averaging nearly six yards a carry.

REDBOX BOWL – ILLINOIS VS. CAL

Lovie Smith’s Illinois squad comes into the game with a 6-6 record and a 4-5 record in the Big Ten Conference. The team has been decimated by injuries but played tough all year, defeating Wisconsin in mid-October for their signature win of the season. California comes into the game with a 7-5 overall record and a 4-5 record in the Pac-12 Conference. The team defeated Stanford and UCLA in the final two weeks to secure their bowl game eligibility and the bowl game is nearly a home game for them, taking place at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

WHO TO WATCH

The offensive attacks of each of the teams are not exactly ‘Redbox and Chill’ worthy, each team has a few solid players but not much NFL-quality talent. Illinois is led by redshirt-junior Brandon Peters, a solid and versatile quarterback who takes care of the ball. The Illini have a duo at running back in Reggie Corbin and Dre Brown – both are solid two-down running backs with good size and strength, but neither move the needle as far as NFL prospects.

The Golden Bears have been inconsistent on offense all year and the player to watch is on the other side of the ball. Evan Weaver is a tackling machine, leading the nation with 173 tackles in 2019. He is always around the ball and has phenomenal instincts but questions about his ability in coverage could limit his NFL role. The Combine will be critical for Weaver but the NFL always has a spot but players with Weaver’s instincts and nose for the ball.

ORANGE BOWL – VIRGINIA VS. FLORIDA

Virginia travels down to the Sunshine State for a pretty solid matchup if you love defense. The Cavaliers are ranked number 24 and are 9-4 on the campaign, with a 6-2 record in the ACC. The ninth-ranked Gators are familiar to Orange Bowl games and are 10-2 for the season with a 6-2 mark in the SEC. Both teams had success against some tough teams this season due to strong defenses.

WHO TO WATCH

Senior Bryce Perkins did everything and then some for the Virginia offense, throwing for over 3,200 yards and 18 scores versus 11 picks. He also lead the team in rushing by running for 745 yards and 11 touchdowns. The offense obviously goes through him but another guy to keep your eye on is senior wideout Joe Reed. His status for the game is still up in the air but if he plays, Reed is a strong slot receiver with good size at 6’1” and 215 pounds. He caught 70 balls for 625 yards this season and has also stretched the field more in previous seasons. Reed is versatile, dangerous in the return game as well, and should find a spot in the NFL in 2020.

Florida is led by junior Kyle Trask, who has been one of the surprising bright spots for the Gators offensively this season. Trask stepped in when starter Feleipe Franks went down and has thrown for over 2,600 yards and 24 touchdowns with only six interceptions. Trask will be in Gainesville next season and could be an NFL-backup quarterback, continued development in 2020 will tell us more about him as a prospect. The Gators have some names which were thought to be possible NFL-caliber prospects but have been limited by offensive schemes. Lamical Perrine and Tyrie Cleveland have been higher in the Devy community but have struggled this season to stand out.

The most enticing name to watch and possible NFL stud is Florida tight end Kyle Pitts. The sophomore grabbed 51 passes for 610 yards and five touchdowns in 2019 and could double those numbers if Florida features him. Pitts has great size at 6’6” and 240 pounds and creates mismatches with speed and moves, he is a good blocker as well and he will be a star at the next level. He is currently my TE1 in the 2021-eligible class.

DECEMBER 31

ALAMO BOWL – UTAH VS. TEXAS

This game features a bunch of players who will be playing on Sundays. It is one of the more interesting games due to the contrast of playing style and program pedigrees as well. Utah missed out on the BCS and New Year’s Six bowls due to their loss to Oregon in the PAC-12 title game. Utah is ranked eleventh overall and has an 11-2 record overall, 8-2 versus the PAC-12, and was a top ten team most of the season. Texas had lofty expectations going into the season but stumbled to a 7-5 record overall and was 5-4 in the Big-12. Utah should feel slighted, the game is nearly a home game for Texas and the Longhorns should be fired up to finish a disappointing season with a win against a tough school.

WHO TO WATCH

Utah’s Zach Moss is an intriguing prospect for 2020 – a tough and physical running back with hands to catch out of the backfield. Moss rushed for 1,359 yards and 15 scores, also tacking on 26 catches for 374 yards and two touchdowns. Moss is 5’10” and 222 pounds, has good feet, great balance through contact, and has solid top-end speed. At times he looks like a top back in a loaded class and at times, Moss looks like he could just be an average backup running back with spot-starting capability. Bradley Anae is the defensive name to watch in this game, he has 12.5 sacks this season and could be a day two pick. He has a relentless motor and a knack for making timely sacks or tackles for loss.

The Longhorns’ roster is littered with highly-ranked recruits and the team has the capability of scoring big against any defense. Junior quarterback Sam Ehlinger is an electric play-maker, throwing for over 3,400 yards and rushing for another 590, accounting for 35 total touchdowns. All the rest of these players are on the injury report and may not play, at the time of this writing they are all questionable or probable. Running back Keaontay Ingram is one of the best in the country but has been fighting injuries and played sparingly in 2019. Converted quarterback Roschon Johnson has been the lead back when Ingram is out, rushing for 600 yards and also catching 23 passes. Collin Johnson and Devin Duvernay are a dynamic duo of wideouts, both bring different skill sets to the offense and both will find a home on NFL teams in 2020. Johnson is big and physical, a solid route runner with great hands and more of the X-type of receiver. Duvernay led the NCAA in receptions with 103 in 2019, going for 1,290 yards and eight touchdowns. He is 5’11” and 210 pounds, works all over the field, and is a very good route runner. Duvernay is tough to bring down, has deep speed, and will be a valuable WR2 in the NFL.

BELK BOWL – KENTUCKY VS. VIRGINIA TECH

The Wildcats make their fourth consecutive bowl game appearance and went 7-5 on the 2019 campaign with a 3-5 record versus SEC competition. The Hokies went 8-4 overall as well as 5-3 in the ACC and are making their 27th straight bowl game appearance. Both teams have been competitive all year and this matchup in Charlotte, North Carolina should be a good game.

WHO TO WATCH

THE name to watch in this game is Kentucky’s dynamic junior, Lynn Bowden Jr. Bowden led the Wildcats in rushing with 1,235 yards and 11 touchdowns and also was their leading receiver with 30 catches for 348 yards. He filled in at quarterback a few times for the team as well. And he has returned two punts for touchdowns in his career. Bowden is 6’1” and 200 pounds and will likely be a wide receiver in the NFL, he caught 67 passes for 745 yards for the Wildcats in 2018. He is electric with the ball in his hands and has top-level acceleration out of breaks or cuts. Bowden has ball security issues and has been inconsistent with drops but the play-making ability and versatility will find him a spot on an NFL team in 2020.

Damon Hazelton Jr. is Virginia Tech’s leading receiver and a guy who could find a spot in the NFL in the future. He is a junior but likely returning for his senior year, a receiver with good size at 6’2” and 215 pounds with good hands and a nose for the end zone. The Hokies aren’t a powerful offense and Hazelton is one of the only bright spots.

SUN BOWL – ARIZONA STATE VS. FLORIDA STATE

The Sun Devils of Arizona State at times this season, looked capable of beating almost any team in the country. The offense was lead by three guys who will be in the NFL but they stumbled to a 7-5 record, going 4-5 in the PAC-12 and fading as the season went on. Florida State finished 6-6, 4-4 in the ACC, and was mired in turmoil all season again. The team featured one of the top running backs in the country but poor offensive line play and an inconsistent team defense doomed them most games.

WHO TO WATCH

Freshman quarterback Jayden Daniels was one of the most fun players to watch grow this season. He finished 2,748 passing yards with 17 touchdowns against only two interceptions. He showed leadership and poise beyond his years and will be a name to watch going forward. Eno Benjamin and Brandon Aiyuk are possible future NFL stars who led the Wildcats in rushing and receiving this season but both are sitting out the bowl game to prepare for the draft.

Cam Akers is skipping the bowl game as well, leaving us to focus on Florida State’s sophomore wideout Tamorrion Terry. Terry is a tall and lanky wide receiver, 6’4” and 200 pounds, who caught 51 passes for over 1,000 yards and 8 scores in 2019. He is phenomenal after the catch and his ability to make defenders miss really stands out. Terry is a name to watch, he could have a monster campaign in 2020, especially with some stability at quarterback.

LIBERTY BOWL – KANSAS STATE VS. NAVY

Another Wildcat team, Kansas State reaches the Liberty Bowl via an 8-4 overall record and 5-4 in the BIG-12 including a huge win over BCS playoff team Oklahoma. The Midshipmen finished the season 10-2, 7-1 in the American Conference, and ranked 21st overall in the nation. Both teams are led by dynamic quarterbacks and offenses which are not conventional and difficult to defend at times.

WHO TO WATCH

The Kansas State team was helmed by junior quarter Skylar Thompson and his dual-threat prowess was the main reason they were able to defeat Oklahoma. Thompson threw for nearly 2,200 yards, rushed for 400 more, and accounted for 22 total touchdowns. He’s a player to watch for Kansas State but I don’t see his skillset translating to the NFL. Thompson is a good college quarterback and fun to watch but not good enough at running or passing to stand out.

The Navy team features a running attack navigated mostly by their “quarterback” Malcolm Perry. He is a name you need to know and if you get a chance to tune in to this game, check out this young player. Perry rushed for 1,800 yards and 21 scores, he also threw for 1,000 yards and six touchdowns but he has a shot to make it beyond college due to his running ability. Where he fits in, will take some creativity by an NFL coaching staff. He is 5’9” and 190 pounds, lethal when he has the ball in his hands, and creates angles that allow him to bounce off tackles with the best of them. Perry is so much fun with the ball in his hands and the Navy attack gives him the opportunity to thrive.

ARIZONA BOWL – WYOMING VS. GEORGIA STATE

The Cowboys of Wyoming square off with the Georgia State Panthers in the Arizona Bowl, this is one of the bowl games in which I struggled to find any NFL prospects or players to keep an eye on for devy squads. Wyoming went 7-5 on the season with a 4-4 record in the Mountain division. Georgia State finished 7-5 with a 4-4 record in the Sun Belt to reach their bowl berth.

WHO TO WATCH

Wyoming will likely lean on sophomore running back Xazavian Valladay with their quarterback Sean Chambers out. Valladay was the leading rusher with 1,061 yards and five touchdowns but isn’t an exceptional running back prospect. Logan Wilson is a solid linebacker prospect on the other side of the ball and will likely be in the NFL next season. He had 414 tackles in his career and had four interceptions this past season. Testing will be critical for him, Wilson has a great nose for the ball and it will be interesting to see how his athletic profile pans out.

Georgia State will also lean heavily on a running back, senior standout Tra Barnett. He led the team with 1,389 yards and 12 rushing scores, he is a bit smaller at 5’10” and 185 pounds but he is an effective runner who always falls forward and gains yards.

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