Three weeks, 41 games, 82 teams. It’s time for bowl season. Below is Sports Illustrated’s annual cheat sheet for one player on each team worth paying attention to. So, without further ado, here are the top talents to watch as we head into this joyous holiday season of football (nearly) every day.
Note: All players were reportedly participating as of Dec. 14. All times are Eastern.
Saturday, Dec. 16
Myrtle Beach Bowl
Georgia Southern vs. Ohio
11 a.m., ESPN
Only two players have more tackles for loss in the MAC than linebacker Bryce Houston (12.5), who has been a key cog in the Bobcats’ defense. Defensive tackle Justin Rhodes, an FCS transfer, has been outstanding up front for the Eagles all season on defense.
New Orleans Bowl
Jacksonville State vs. Louisiana
2:15 p.m., ESPN
Jacksonville State had the best (and perhaps least recognized) rushing attack, and it starts with guard Clay Webb, who started in 11 of 12 games this season. Louisiana tight end Neal Johnson led the Ragin' Cajuns with five TD catches this season.
Cure Bowl
Miami (Ohio) vs. Appalachian State
3:30 p.m., ABC
App State’s Santana Hopper has emerged in his redshirt freshman season as a versatile piece along the defensive line, able to line up at defensive end or tackle and wreak havoc. Miami’s Michael Dowell returned this year as a key piece on the perimeter for a salty RedHawks defense.
John Reed/USA TODAY Sports
New Mexico Bowl
New Mexico State vs. Fresno State
5:45 p.m., ESPN
Few players are as fun on the field (or off!) than Aggies quarterback Diego Pavia. Yes, he got caught peeing on his rival team’s midfield logo. But he also has been the heart and soul of a resurgent NMSU team that, during its 10-win season, knocked off Auburn. On the other side is Mikey Keane, who is another in a line of talented quarterbacks who have played well for Jeff Tedford.
LA Bowl
UCLA vs. Boise State
7:30 p.m., ABC
Laiatu Latu may not be playing in this game, but his bookend Gabriel Murphy is. He’s talented in his own right on the edge. Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty is a truly special running back, whose return next season is a win for the Broncos and another in their legacy of outstanding running backs.
Independence Bowl
Cal vs. Texas Tech
9:15 p.m., ESPN
You won’t get many better running back duels during bowl season than what Texas Tech’s Tahj Brooks and Cal’s Jaydn Ott will put on display.
Monday, Dec. 18
Famous Toastery Bowl
Western Kentucky vs. Old Dominion
2:30 p.m., ESPN
Shifty and dynamic, WKU’s Malachi Corley packs a lot of explosiveness in a 5'11" package. At some point he’ll come into contact with linebacker Jason Henderson. When that happens, offensive players usually go down. Henderson has a phenomenal 52 solo tackles and 118 assists.
Tuesday, Dec. 19
Frisco Bowl
UTSA quarterback Frank Harris is quintessentially college football—a player who gives his all and battles back from numerous injuries. Correlation may not prove causation, but if running back Rasheen Ali is toting the rock well, it means Marshall’s in a good spot to win.
Thursday, Dec. 21
Boca Raton Bowl
South Florida vs. Syracuse
8 p.m., ESPN
Syracuse hasn’t missed a beat at running back with LeQuint Allen stepping in for Sean Tucker. He was the ninth most productive running back in the country in November. USF quarterback Byrum Brown announced earlier this week that he’d return to Tampa, and the freshman standout has shocked everyone with his dual-threat ability for a player who had only three Division I offers out of high school.
Friday, Dec. 22
Gasparilla Bowl
Georgia Tech vs. UCF
6:30 p.m., ESPN
UCF running back RJ Harvey has been as productive as they come in the second half of the season as a seemingly automatic 100-yard rusher (at least). At some point he’s going to shake loose at the second level and have to contend with Georgia Tech safety Jaylon King.
Saturday, Dec. 23
Christopher Hanewinckel/USA TODAY Sports
Birmingham Bowl
These two stout defenses boast two tremendous talents. Troy edge rusher Javon Solomon led the nation in sacks with 16. Duke linebacker Nick Morris Jr. has stepped into a starting role this season and proved a capable plug in the middle of the defense.
Camellia Bowl
Arkansas State vs. Northern Illinois
12 p.m., ESPN
It’s not overstating it to say that A-State’s quarterback change to Jaylen Raynor injected life into an offense that severely lacked it. The Red Wolves have made a bowl game thanks in large part to his dual-threat prowess, but he’d better be careful where he puts the ball with Northern Illinois corner Javaughn Byrd lurking.
Armed Forces Bowl
James Madison vs. Air Force
3:30 p.m., ABC
The Dukes don’t have edge rusher Jalen Green, but they do have Jamree Kromah, whose 10 sacks are plenty of production in their own right. Air Force’s Bo Richter stands on the Falcons’ defensive line ready to prove he can be just as productive coming off the edge.
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Georgia State vs. Utah State
3:30 p.m., ESPN
Georgia State’s Travis Glover has been a dominant offensive line presence for the Panthers. Utah State’s Jalen Royals has been a reliable target all season.
68 Ventures Bowl
South Alabama vs. Eastern Michigan
7 p.m., ESPN
South Alabama’s Jaden Voisin continues a recent history under Kane Wommack of tremendous secondary play. And Eastern Michigan’s Justin Jefferson continues the Eagles’ mean streak up front.
SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl
Utah vs. Northwestern
7:30 p.m., ABC
You know what you’re getting with Utah: salty defense that takes no prisoners. Edge rusher Jonah Elliss embodies that. It’s not often that a defensive back is second on the team in tackles, but Northwestern’s Rod Heard II’s 50 solo stops are ninth out of any defender at any position in the Big Ten.
EasyPost Hawai‘i Bowl
Coastal Carolina vs. San Jose State
10:30 p.m., ESPN
Grayson McCall’s injury forced Ethan Vasko into duty at quarterback for Coastal Carolina. The freshman brings tremendous running ability to the table as a young signal-caller. San Jose State’s Kairee Robinson unquestionably brings it on the ground as the engine of the Spartans’ offense. He was instrumental during their six-game winning streak to end the season, which helped them clinch bowl eligibility after a 1–4 start.
Tuesday, Dec. 26
Quick Lane Bowl
Bowling Green vs. Minnesota
2 p.m., ESPN
Minnesota’s Tyler Nubin is one of the best safeties in the country, and, with five interceptions, he’s one of the nation’s leaders in individual takeaways as well. BGSU’s Harold Fannin Jr. flies under the radar as one of the most productive tight ends in the country even though he played only 10 games.
SERVPRO First Responder Bowl
Texas State vs. Rice
5:30 p.m., ESPN
Despite the Bobcats’ portal-heavy roster, edge rusher Ben Bell was a holdover from the previous team who paid big dividends for the new coaching staff. Rice wideout Luke McCaffrey, in his fifth year, has continued to produce game-in, game-out, as expected of him as a member of a famous football family.
Denny Medley/USA TODAY Sports
Guaranteed Rate Bowl
Once just a change-of-pace gadget option, Kansas quarterback Jason Bean has turned into a reliable option in relief of Jalon Daniels. UNLV’s Jayden Maiava has been a revelation, as the team’s surprising run to the conference championship game relied on him piloting a unique offense.
Wednesday, Dec. 27
Military Bowl
Virginia Tech vs. Tulane
2 p.m., ESPN
Tulane quarterback Michael Pratt has been at the controls during one of the best runs in program history. Virginia Tech cornerback Dorian Strong continues a legacy of great defensive backs coming out of Blacksburg.
Duke’s Mayo Bowl
North Carolina vs. West Virginia
5:30 p.m., ESPN
West Virginia center Zach Frazier has been the reliable rock up front for a resurgent team that never believed the press clippings predicting it would finish last in the Big 12 before the season began. North Carolina receiver Tez Walker’s big-play ability was obvious as soon as he got the chance to start once being cleared by the NCAA in October. He’s an explosive pass play waiting to happen.
Holiday Bowl
No. 15 Louisville vs. USC
8 p.m., Fox
Just give USC’s Zachariah Branch the ball and get the hell out of the way. There are few players in college football capable of doing what he does as a receiver or a returner. Louisville edge rusher Ashton Gillotte has been one of the most reliable havoc-producing defenders in college football.
Texas Bowl
Texas A&M vs. No. 20 Oklahoma State
9 p.m., ESPN
As Ollie Gordon goes, so do the Pokes. Gordon was at one point this season on a Heisman pace as the most productive running back in the country. With many A&M players in the portal, McKinnley Jackson gives the defense some beef up front.
Thursday, Dec. 28
Fenway Bowl
No. 24 SMU vs. Boston College
11 a.m., ESPN
SMU’s offense gets plenty of headlines, but edge rusher Elijah Roberts anchors a defense that led the Mustangs to a conference title. BC guard Christian Mahogany is tasked with keeping the Eagles stout up front and in the eyes of talent evaluators is one of the best at his position.
Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl
Rutgers vs. Miami
2:15 p.m., ESPN
Miami’s Kamren Kinchens patrols a great secondary for the Canes that allows The U’s defense to be aggressive up front. They’ll have their hands full with Rutgers running back Kyle Monangai, the most productive rusher in the Big Ten.
Pop-Tarts Bowl
No. 18 NC State vs. No. 25 Kansas State
5:45 p.m., ESPN
Wolfpack linebacker Payton Wilson brought home the Bednarik award as the best linebacker in the country. He’s everything you could ask for in a modern tackling machine. With Will Howard in the portal, quarterback Avery Johnson’s dual-threat ability isn’t just useful for a changeup—it’s his show now.
Valero Alamo Bowl
No. 14 Arizona vs. No. 12 Oklahoma
9:15 p.m., ESPN
OU’s Danny Stutsman is the heart and soul of the Sooners’ defense, and his return will be a welcome boost for the unit as they head into the SEC. Arizona’s renaissance was heavily aided by the fact that running back Jonah Coleman ended up being one of the best running backs in the country.
Friday, Dec. 29
TaxSlayer Gator Bowl
No. 22 Clemson vs. Kentucky
12 p.m., ESPN
You may know his famous father, but Jeremiah Trotter Jr. has more than made a name for himself as one of the nation’s best linebackers. He’ll be chasing UK running back Ray Davis throughout the day. The back’s versatility catching out of the backfield has proven he’s more than just a bell cow.
Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl
No. 19 Oregon State vs. No. 16 Notre Dame
2 p.m., CBS
We can’t wait to see the collision between Notre Dame defensive lineman Howard Cross and Oregon State running back Damien Martinez. The former has been the man in the middle for the Irish on defense all year long, and Martinez is one of the most exciting running backs in the country, and it’s a coup he’s planning to return to school.
AutoZone Liberty Bowl
Memphis vs. Iowa State
3:30 p.m., ESPN
Cyclones corner T.J. Tampa gives the ISU offense a versatile player on the perimeter. Memphis running back Blake Watson follows in the footsteps of elite Tigers backs who have come before him.
Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic
No. 9 Missouri vs. No. 7 Ohio State
8 p.m., ESPN
Mizzou receiver Luther Burden is worth the price of admission, and he’ll be going up against corner Denzel Burke in one of the must-see matchups of the entire bowl season.
Saturday, Dec. 30
TransPerfect Music City Bowl
Auburn vs. Maryland
2 p.m., ABC
Both teams boast tremendous secondary players in Auburn’s DJ James and Maryland’s Glendon Miller.
Arizona Bowl
Toledo vs. Wyoming
4:30 p.m., CW Network/Barstool
Not much gets past Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell, who is second in the nation in passes deflected. Wyoming safety Wyett Ekeler is a true chess piece lining up all over the field, not just his safety position.
Peach Bowl
No. 11 Ole Miss vs. No. 10 Penn State
12 p.m., ESPN
PSU edge Chop Robinson will have his hands full chasing Ole Miss running back Quinshon Judkins, but Robinson’s athleticism—particularly his pass rushing prowess—has NFL scouts putting him near the top of their boards in this class of edge rushers.
Capital One Orange Bowl
No. 6 Georgia vs. No. 5 Florida State
4 p.m., ESPN
One thing Georgia’s defense has lacked during its run of dominance in the last few seasons is a dominant edge rusher. Well, they got one in Jalon Walker. If he struggles to get to the quarterback, expect many a hookup with outstanding wideout Keon Coleman.
Monday, Jan. 1
Fiesta Bowl
No. 23 Liberty vs. No. 8 Oregon
1 p.m., TBD
Flames running back Quinton Cooley is a key cog in the nation’s best rushing attack. Oregon has its own dominant rusher in Bucky Irving, who brings a lot of power in a small package.
Scott Clause/USA TODAY Network
ReliaQuest Bowl
Wisconsin vs. No. 13 LSU
12 p.m., ESPN2
Any time you get a chance to watch the Heisman trophy winner for likely one last time, you gotta take it. Enjoy LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels. Wisconsin’s Braelon Allen has dealt with injuries this season, but if he’s good to go, he’s still one of the great running backs in the game.
Citrus Bowl
No. 17 Iowa vs. No. 21 Tennessee
1 p.m., ABC
Styles make fights, and we got that with the Hawkeyes and the Vols. Punter Tory Taylor is the clearest example of the field position dominance that has helped Iowa’s defense be the best in the country. The Vols will try to use running back Jaylen Wright to generate explosives in the run game, the true key to unlocking their explosive passing game and up-tempo system.
Semifinal Rose Bowl Game
No. 4 Alabama vs. No. 1 Michigan
5 p.m., ESPN
The way Alabama will try to play Michigan will be fascinating. If it’s able to stay in pass-focused two-safety deep shell, safety Caleb Downs will be a major factor in determining the Tide’s success. As long as Bama can stop the run, it will mean the game will lie on Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy’s shoulders to win through the air.
CFP Semifinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl
No. 3 Texas vs. No. 2 Washington
8:45 p.m., ESPN
