With the bowl season nearly upon us, we remember some of the memorable moments from years past. While we often see those flashes from the bigger bowls, like Vince Young’s heroic performance in the 2006 Rose Bowl, even the smaller bowl symbolize not only a big mark for the school’s football program, but can put players on the map for the NFL draft, as plenty of eyes will be on them. Throughout this article, I’ll break down the first five games, all of which will take place on December 20th, and point out a few players in each game that could be playing on Sundays.
R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl – 11:00 AM ET
Nevada vs Louisiana-Lafayette
Nevada comes in with a 7-5 record overall and 4-4 in the Mountain West conference. After a 3-3 start to the season, Nevada rallied to a 4-2 finish to earn a bowl trip. They are led by dual-threat quarterback, Cody Fajardo, who amassed 2374 yards passing and 997 rushing yards, along with 31 total touchdowns. Expect Nevada to run it plenty as they averaged 215 yards on the ground per game.
The Ragin’ Cajuns from Louisiana-Lafayette come in with an 8-4 records and 7-1 mark in the Sun Belt. After facing a difficult non-conference schedule that included trips to Ole Miss and Boise State, LA-Lafayette finished with a solid run in conference play. In a similar style of offense, Lafayette will feature a heavy dose of running between Elijah McGuire and Alonzo Harris, along with plenty of quarterback-keepers from Terrance Broadway.
Prediction: With neither defense being particularly impressive and both teams looking to run it a lot, expect a low-scoring affair. Since the game will be close to home for the Ragin Cajuns and under the leadership of Terrance Broadway, I like the Ragin Cajuns to take this one.
Louisiana Lafayette: 27 – Nevada: 24
Players to Watch (both in the game and in terms of the NFL):
Nevada QB Cody Fajardo – The quarterback class this year is top heavy with some elite prospects like Marcus Mariota, Jameis Winston, and Brett Hundley. However, Fajardo has a shot to be a late round pick. At Nevada, he throws a lot of short passes and his passing ability at the next level is definitely a question mark. With this said, he has shown his athleticism plenty throughout his college career. Look for Fajardo to have a shot at joining fellow Nevada alum, Colin Kaepernick, in the NFL.
I'm definitely warming up to the idea of some team with a creative coach using a late draft pick on Cody Fajardo. Does need a ton of work.
— Matt Harmon (@MattHarmon_BYB) December 9, 2014
LA-Lafayette RB Alonzo Harris – Despite not being as effective as fellow running back, Elijah McGuire, Harris has received substantial carries over his four-year career. This year he posted 737 yards and 12 touchdowns. He likely would be an undrafted free agent, but does have experience that could make him a training camp surprise. Watch McGuire as well, as he could easily become a bigger name in the coming years.
Gildan New Mexico Bowl – 2:20 PM ET
Utah State vs. UTEP
Having been ravaged by injuries, particularly at the quarterback position, Utah State will go into their fourth-consecutive bowl appearance starting freshman Kent Myers. Despite the plethora of injuries, the Aggies managed to finish with a 9-4 record. They have a pretty balanced offense and are led on defense by linebacker Zach Vigil, who was the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year.
UTEP hasn’t been to a bowl game since 2010, where they lost to BYU 52-24. They have been one of the most improved teams in college football this year, going from only having 2 wins last year to a 7-5 mark this year. Expect a heavy dosage of Aaron Jones, who carried the rock 217 times this year for 1233 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Prediction: Had Utah State been completely healthy, I’d like them to win this one easily, but they are going to need to play a solid game to come out on top, particularly in stopping Aaron Jones. I like the more experienced Aggies to come out on top though.
Utah State: 31 – UTEP: 21
Player to Watch (both in the game and in terms of the NFL):
Utah State Inside Linebacker Zach Vigil – As mentioned before, Vigil is the key to this defense and will need to be big in stopping UTEP’s running attack. He leads the Aggies in tackles this year with 145. At 6-2, 232 lbs, he possesses the body to be an inside linebacker at the next level. He is an instinctive player that has a chance to be a late round pick.
Zach Vigil is an incredible athlete. Listening to his team talk about him proves that; he not only has the athleticism, but the leadership.
— Bailey McMurdie (@baileymcmurdie) December 12, 2014
Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl – 3:30 PM ET
Utah vs. Colorado State
Utah has put together an impressive year, accumulating victories over Stanford, UCLA, USC, and Arizona State. They struggled down the stretch with some of their tougher Pac-12 games. Quarterback Travis Wilson threw for 2012 yards including a 17-4 touchdown to interception ratio. Wilson has performed respectably after starter Kendal Thompson was lost to injury. The running game is dominated by Devontae Booker who amassed 1350 yards and 9 touchdowns.
Expect Colorado State to be looking to put some points up in a hurry. Their offense is no secret as they had the 8th most passing yards per game in college football. The tandem of quarterback Garrett Grayson and wide receiver Rashard Higgins is one of the best in football. Add in a steady running game from Dee Hart and the Utes better be prepared.
Prediction: I expect this to be one of the more exciting early bowl games and definitely one worth watching. Utah has been the more balanced team all season, only having one loss to a non-ranked team. However, Colorado State’s electric offense can put up some big plays in a hurry. In the end, I see the Utes coming out on top thanks to a strong defensive effort.
Utah: 34 – Colorado State: 28
Player to Watch (both in the game and in terms of the NFL):
Utah Cornerback Eric Rowe – The senior defensive back has stepped in after Keith McGill was drafted last year. He has experienced plenty of playing time at Utah having received significant action in his freshman year. Rowe is a strong tackler, but hasn’t necessarily shown some of the ball-hawking abilities scouts like to see. Look for Rowe to possibly be a mid-round pick.
Colorado State Quarterback Garrett Grayson – Grayson put up an impressive senior campaign throwing for 3779 yards and 32 touchdowns. At 6-2, size isn’t necessarily an issue and he has proved to be a mobile quarterback. Along with winning the Mountain West Player of the Year award this season, Grayson could shoot up draft charts in the coming months.
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl – 5:45 PM ET
Western Michigan vs. Air Force
Western Michigan represents another team who made an amazing turnaround by improving their win total from 1 to 8. Sophomore quarterback Zach Terrell leads the impressive passing attack, while Jarvion Franklin has been very impressive running the ball. Franklin has put up 1525 yards and 24 touchdowns.
Air Force also made a tremendous improvement this year, turning around a 2-10 season last year into a 9-3 record this year. As expected, they feature a heavy running attack piling up a per game rushing yardage mark of 272, good for 8th in the nation. While their quarterback, Kale Pearson, did throw for 1513 yards, expect a lot of carries for Jacobi Owns and quarterback-runs out of Pearson in this one.
Prediction: While Air Force will run it plenty, don’t be surprised when a decent passing play occurs. With Air Force’s option offense limiting turnovers, the game will be decided whether they can force any turnovers by Western Michigan’s Zach Terrell.
Air Force 30 – Western Michigan 27
Player to Watch (both in the game and in terms of the NFL):
In this matchup, I don’t see any names worth monitoring in the departing class for this season, but Jarvion Franklin of Western Michigan is definitely one to keep an eye on. The freshman running back has seen big playing time right out of the gate and hasn’t failed to impress. He has been one of the elite running backs, not just out of the Mid-American Conference, but all of college football. He already set a single season school record for rushing touchdowns in a season and should continue to get better.
Congrats to Jarvion Franklin, @MHart2032 @KirkCiarrocca @Callybrian @CoachKenneyWMU for winning MAC Offensive POY! pic.twitter.com/izE1jV6IXO
— Matt Simon (@CoachMGSimon) December 4, 2014
Raycom Media Camellia Bowl – 9:15 PM ET
South Alabama vs. Bowling Green
While on paper, this game is not one of the most attractive games, it is an opportunity for one of these teams to finish the season with a winning record. South Alabama, 6-6, has played a weak schedule and has struggled mightily in their only noteworthy games.
Bowling Green, 7-6, will probably view this year as a down year after winning 10 games last year. However, a matchup with a beatable South Alabama team could give them an eighth win. They come into the game on the heels of a three game losing streak and will need to avoid quarterback James Knapke from throwing any costly interceptions.
Prediction: Both teams come into this game struggling, but one of the major differences is South Alabama never having played in a bowl game before and this game marking Bowling Green’s third straight bowl game. I like Bowling Green’s experience in big games in this one.
Bowling Green: 24 – South Alabama: 13
Player to Watch (both in the game and in terms of the NFL):
Bowling Green Inside Linebacker D.J. Lynch – Lynch dealt with injuries earlier in the season, but is back down in the middle of Bowling Green’s defense. He was second team All-MAC last year and is one of the few potential draft prospects from either team. While his size isn’t ideal for his position at just 6 foot tall, good workouts up until the draft could land him a role as an undrafted free agent.
Follow me on Twitter: @_BrandonOgle
