Bowl Central.....You name it,this thread has it.

[Greenbacks]

Walk-On's Independence Bowl

Southern Mississippi vs. Florida State
1:30 p.m., ESPN
Independence Stadium, Shreveport, Louisiana

Southern Mississippi

Key player: Running back Ito Smith has 13 rushing touchdowns on the season, while the rest of the running back corps has just five.

Storyline to watch: Can Smith power the offense after rushing for 453 yards and six touchdowns in the final three games.

Florida State

Key player: RB Cam Akers is a weapon, even if the rest of Florida State's offense has been a mixed bag this year. Akers capped the regular season with 117 yards and 2 TDs, teaming with Jacques Patrick for a master rushing game.

Storyline to watch: If the Louisiana-Monroe finale was the official first game without Jimbo Fisher, the bowl feels more like a turning of the page. The team will have had time to process Fisher's departure, practice without him and play a game in which it knew all along it would have a new coach.

 

[Greenbacks]

New Era Pinstripe Bowl

Iowa vs. Boston College
5:15 p.m., ESPN
Yankee Stadium, Bronx, N.Y.

Iowa

Key player: Linebacker Josey Jewell leads the Big Ten in tackles and is ranked No. 3 nationally. Jewell has been a stalwart for that defense all season.

Storyline to watch: Sophomore QB Nate Stanley and sophomore TE Noah Fant developed a good rapport throughout the season. Can those two build on that with extra practice and show a glimpse of what next season can look like?

Boston College

Key player: RB A.J. Dillon. BC's emergence coincides with that of Dillon, the freshman tailback who racked up 1,099 yards over his final six games.

Storyline to watch: Harold Landry didn't play in the final four games of the regular season because of injury, but a strong bowl performance could push the senior defensive end back into the discussion as a potential first-round draft pick.

 

[Greenbacks]

Foster Farms Bowl

Arizona vs. Purdue
8:30 p.m., FOX
Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, California

Arizona

Key player: QB Khalil Tate. Tate was one of the best stories in college football this season and his health is paramount to the Wildcats' success.

Storyline to watch: Coach Rich Rodriguez needs to do the right thing and let Gerhard de Beer punt. This is his last opportunity. It needs to happen.

Purdue

Key player: Quarterback Elijah Sindelar has been a big part of the Boilermakers' wins over Iowa and Indiana to finish the season.

Storyline to watch: Quarterback David Blough was injured late in the season and is out for the remainder, which means Sindelar has the reins and needs to keep command of the ship.

 

[Greenbacks]

Academy Sports + Outdoors Texas Bowl

Texas vs. Missouri
9 p.m., ESPN
NRG Stadium, Houston

Texas

Key player: Defensive tackle Poona Ford plugging up the middle has given the Longhorns the flexibility to drop more players in coverage, which has enhanced the Texas pass defense.

Storyline to watch: True freshman quarterback Sam Ehlinger has been up and down all season. Finishing on a high note would help him through the offseason going into 2018.

Missouri

Key player: QB Drew Lock put up monster numbers for a surprisingly high-powered Mizzou offense.

Storyline to watch: The Tigers have scored at least 45 points in every game during their current six-game winning streak. Can they reach that mark again?

 

[Greenbacks]

Military Bowl Presented by Northrop Grumman

Virginia vs. Navy
1:30 p.m. ESPN
Jack Stephens Field at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Annapolis, Maryland

Virginia

Key player: LB Micah Kiser is the engine that drives this team. He finished the regular season with 132 tackles, 9.5 for a loss and 5.0 sacks -- his third straight season with at least 100/9/5 line.

Storyline to watch: Can the Cavaliers get the ground game going? The offense has been a large dose of quarterback Kurt Benkert and not much else this season.

Navy

Key player: QB Zach Abey was Navy's biggest offensive threat, rushing 278 times for 1,322 yards and racking up 22 total touchdowns.

Storyline to watch: At the midpoint of the season, Navy looked like it might be a legitimate New Year's Six contender. Things fell apart down the stretch, as the Mids lost five of their final six.

 

[Greenbacks]

Camping World Bowl

No. 22 Virginia Tech vs. No. 19 Oklahoma State
5:15 p.m., ESPN
Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Florida

Virginia Tech

Key player: QB Josh Jackson looked like an emerging star for the Hokies for two months, but he fell on hard times down the stretch, averaging just 6 yards per pass with two touchdown passes and four interceptions in November. Can he get back to his early success after some time to regroup?

Storyline to watch: Virginia Tech was synonymous with 10-win seasons for the better part of two decades under Frank Beamer, and Justin Fuente now has a chance to get to 10 victories for the second straight season with a win.

Oklahoma State

Key player: Mike Gundy said quarterback Mason Rudolph is the school's most accomplished player since 1988 Heisman winner Barry Sanders. Rudolph has capped his fabulous career by leading the nation in passing.

Storyline to watch: After flirting with Tennessee, Gundy is back at Oklahoma State, and the Cowboys will look to put a disappointing end to the season behind them.

 

[Greenbacks]

Valero Alamo Bowl

No. 13 Stanford vs. No. 15 TCU
9 p.m., ESPN
Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas

Stanford

Key player: RB Bryce Love. The Heisman Trophy candidate ran for 1,848 yards in 11 games and made for a seamless transition from Christian McCaffrey.

Storyline to watch: One thing bowl officials are worried about is if more star players will start sitting out after McCaffrey did last year. Will Love follow suit?

TCU

Key player: After initially being ruled out for the season, coach Gary Patterson suggested RB Darius Anderson could return for the bowl from right leg injury. He's a home run threat out of the backfield.

Storyline to watch: Will the Horned Frogs go exclusively with Kenny Hill at QB? Or will they give snaps to their QB of the future, freshman Shawn Robinson, provided that he's healthy again?

 

[Greenbacks]

San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl

Washington State vs. Michigan State
9 p.m., FOX
Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego

Washington State

Key player: QB Luke Falk. In Wazzu's three loses, Falk threw 2 touchdown passes, eight interceptions and was pulled in the loss to Arizona. As he goes, so do the Cougars.

Storyline to watch: The Cougars will play the first half with arguably their best player, defensive lineman Hercules Mata'afa, who was ejected from the Apple Cup because of a targeting penalty.

Michigan State

Key player: Quarterback Brian Lewerke has had an excellent season for the Spartans and is a big key to the offense.

Storyline to watch: This is a young Michigan State team, so if they can make a statement in this bowl game, with a few extra practices, there could be even more optimism for next season.

 

[Greenbacks]

Belk Bowl

Wake Forest vs. Texas A&M
1 p.m. ESPN
Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Wake Forest

Key player: QB John Wolford, playing in his final college game, can go out with a bang. He was among the most effective quarterbacks in college football this season, throwing for 25 touchdowns and adding 10 more on the ground.

Storyline to watch: Star defensive end Duke Ejiofor has been exceptional for the Deacons, but he was dinged up to end the season, finishing with just two tackles total in his final three regular-season games. The bowl could be a chance for him to shine one last time.

Texas A&M

Key player: WR Christian Kirk, the Aggies' dynamic wide receiver and returner is a big-play threat every time he touches the ball.

Storyline to watch: Is it the last game in maroon-and-white for Kirk? The junior receiver, who's one of the best in the nation and one of the best in school history, is draft eligible. Even if he does declare for the NFL draft, Kirk says he'll play in the bowl game.

 

[Greenbacks]

Hyundai Sun Bowl

No. 24 NC State vs. Arizona State
3 p.m., CBS
Sun Bowl, El Paso, Texas

NC State

Key player: DE Bradley Chubb. Arguably the best pass-rusher in the country, NC State's bowl game provides Chubb with one last opportunity to wow pro scouts before likely becoming a first-round pick in the spring.

Storyline to watch: Will NC State's season end on a high note? There have been plenty of ups and downs for the Wolfpack during a season when they appeared poised to challenge for the division, but still lost critical games to Clemson, South Carolina and Notre Dame.

Arizona State

Key player: LB Christian Sam. Not only does Sam lead the Pac-12 in tackles (127), he has 26 more than the next guy on the list.

Storyline to watch: It's a potentially awkward few weeks upcoming as Todd Graham stays on board to coach his team one more time.

 

[Greenbacks]

Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl

Kentucky vs. Northwestern
4:30 p.m., ESPN

Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee

Kentucky

Key player: RB Benny Snell Jr. can keep the Wildcats in games with his running ability.

Storyline to watch: The Wildcats are looking for something positive after a rough November. After a 6-2 start, the Wildcats lost three of their last four and were dominated by rival Louisville in the regular-season finale.

Northwestern

Key player: Linebacker Paddy Fisher has been all over the field for the Wildcats this season, leading the team with 110 total tackles.

Storyline to watch: There are a lot of what-ifs this season for Northwestern, so it will be interesting to see if they can show consistency against a good team.

 

[Greenbacks]

NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl

Utah State vs. New Mexico State
5:30 p.m., CBSSN

Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Arizona

Utah State

Key player: CB Jalen Davis. Davis led the Mountain West with five interceptions and returned three of them for touchdowns.

Storyline to watch: Under coach Matt Wells, Utah State went from 10 wins to six wins to three wins before bouncing back to reach this bowl at 6-6. Wells needs this win to re-enforce that the program is back on the uptick.

New Mexico State

Key player: Quarterback Tyler Rogers came back from injury to throw for 451 yards and led New Mexico State on the game-winning drive against South Alabama to make the Aggies bowl eligible.

Storyline to watch: The Aggies haven't been to a bowl since 1960. That was the longest active bowl drought in the FBS. This will be a big moment for New Mexico State.

 

[Greenbacks]

Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic

No. 8 USC vs. No. 5 Ohio State
8:30 p.m., ESPN
AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas

USC

Key player: RB Ronald Jones II has become the rare USC player who has been able to fly under the national radar. In the past four regular-season games, he rushed for 674 yards.

Storyline to watch: Will this be the last time QB Sam Darnold suits up for the Trojans? It's likely, but he still has two years of eligibility left should he want to return.

Ohio State

Key player: Running back J.K. Dobbins. It would be easy to say quarterback J.T. Barrett, but backup Dwayne Haskins proved he is capable of running the offense against Michigan, so Dobbins gets the nod.

Storyline to watch: The storyline has become Tennessee's involvement with defensive coordinator Greg Schiano. Will that become a distraction if other schools reach out?

 

[Greenbacks]

TaxSlayer Bowl

Louisville vs. No. 23 Mississippi State
Noon, ESPN
EverBank Field, Jacksonville, Florida

Louisville

Key player: QB Lamar Jackson. Who else? Jackson turned in a second-straight season with Heisman-caliber numbers, and after struggling in last season's bowl, he'll be out to add one more highlight to his resume.

Storyline to watch: This could well be the final college game for Jackson, one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in a generation. Though he's been a divisive figure among some fan bases, it's been worth tuning in every week to see what he'll do.

Mississippi State

Key player: RB Aeris Williams. Wihtout QB Nick Fitzgerald playing, it will be on Williams to lead the offense.

Storyline to watch: How will the Bulldogs fare without their head coach and star quarterback? Dan Mullen left and Fitzgerald is injured. Williams, a 1,019-yard rusher, needs to have a big game.

 

[Greenbacks]

AutoZone Liberty Bowl

Iowa State vs. No. 20 Memphis
12:30 p.m., ABC
Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis, Tennessee

Iowa State

Key player: Senior wideout Allen Lazard, one of the most accomplished players in school history, will play his final game for the Cyclones.

Storyline to watch: Iowa State is the only remaining FBS team without a fumble this season. No team has ever gone through an entire year without losing at least one fumble.

Memphis

Key player: WR Anthony Miller is the lesser hyped half of Memphis' dynamic passing tandem with QB Riley Ferguson, but Miller's performance has helped Ferguson flourish. He enters bowl season with 1,407 yards and 17 touchdowns, tied for the second most nationally.

Storyline to watch: Ferguson has been the engine behind the Memphis offense, and he remains the biggest storyline. The Tigers finished the regular season by topping 50 points in three of their last four, and Ferguson will look to wrap up his career with another scoring outburst in the bowl game.

 

[Greenbacks]

PlayStation Fiesta Bowl

No. 11 Washington vs. No. 9 Penn State
4 p.m., ESPN
University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona

Washington

Key player: DL Vita Vea. One of the best defensive linemen in the country, he is a likely first-round pick and a potential All-American.

Storyline to watch: Will this be RB Myles Gaskin's final game for the Huskies? He's rushed for 1,200-plus yards in three straight seasons.

Penn State

Key player: Running back Saquon Barkley, who saw his Heisman campaign derailed but is still one of the nation's most explosive players.

Storyline to watch: Offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead took the head coaching job at Mississippi State, which will have a big impact on Penn State's offense going forward.

 

[Greenbacks]

Capital One Orange Bowl

No. 10 Miami vs. No. 6 Wisconsin
8 p.m., ESPN
Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

Miami

Key player: RB Travis Homer. The ground game is essential for the Hurricanes, who rushed for less than 3 yards per carry over their past two games, both losses. Homer had just 41 yards on 14 carries against Clemson, but he's also shown he's dangerous when given room to run. With Miami's receiving corps banged up, it'll be a necessity this time around.

Storyline to watch: What happens at QB? Malik Rosier ended the year with some disastrous performances, and the assumption from Miami fans is that the Canes may look in a different direction in 2018. But Rosier has a chance to make a statement before that debate shifts into high gear.

Wisconsin

Key player: Running back Jonathan Taylor was third in rushing yards during the regular season and has been a big part of Wisconsin's success this season.

Storyline to watch: The Badgers have dealt with injuries all season, so health is the biggest storyline. If Wisconsin can get some of the injured players back on the field, they will be even more dangerous.

 

[Greenbacks]

Outback Bowl

Michigan vs. South Carolina
Noon, ESPN2
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

Michigan

Key player: Quarterback Brandon Peters' play will be important for Michigan's offense as it struggled against Ohio State without him.

Storyline to watch: Peters sustained a concussion in the game against Wisconsin, so it's still unknown when his symptoms will subside. Outside of Peters, will former starter Wilton Speight be completely healthy to finish out his Michigan career?

South Carolina

Key player: QB Jake Bentley. When he's on, South Carolina can get on a roll.

Storyline to watch: Can Bentley take better care of the football? The sophomore has thrown seven interceptions in the Gamecocks' last four games after throwing just four in the first eight.

 

[Greenbacks]

Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl

No. 12 UCF vs. No. 7 Auburn
12:30 p.m., ESPN
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta

UCF

Key player: QB McKenzie Milton emerged as one of the best players in the country, and he'll be the driving force behind UCF's offense, which led the nation in scoring during the regular season.

Storyline to watch: UCF is good. That was never in debate. But how good? The schedule made it tough to tell, and the selection committee clearly had its doubts. How will they fare with coach Scott Frost taking the Nebraska job?

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Auburn

Key player: RB Kerryon Johnson. With time to get healthy before the bowl game, Johnson can dominate for the Tigers.

Storyline to watch:This result could be important for Gus Malzahn, because ending the season with two straight losses after getting so close to the playoff may drudge up some feelings in the fan base that existed coming into the year.

 

[Greenbacks]

Citrus Bowl Presented by Overton's

No. 14 Notre Dame vs. No. 17 LSU
1 p.m., ABC
Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Florida

Notre Dame

Key player: Running back Josh Adams was at one point in the Heisman conversation. He has rushed for 1,386 yards this season.

Storyline to watch: Can Adams, quarterback Brandon Wimbush and the Notre Dame offense get back on the track? After dominating for much of the season, the Irish failed to do much of anything in late-season losses to Miami and Stanford.

LSU

Key player: RB Derrius Guice is as talented a running back as there is in college football.

Storyline to watch: This is probably the last game for Guice, who coach Ed Orgeron said is likely to declare for the draft after the season.