College Football 24/7 is providing a daily glimpse at the best players in each bowl game and predictions from writers Gil Brandt, Bucky Brooks, Daniel Jeremiah, Bryan Fischer, Chase Goodbread and Mike Huguenin.
LIBERTY BOWL
Site: Memphis, Tenn.
Date: Dec. 29
Time/TV: 2 p.m. ET, ESPN
Matchup: Texas A&M (7-5) vs. West Virginia (7-5)
Top players to watch: Texas A&M (OL Cedric Ogbuehi, OL Jarvis Harrison, WR Malcome Kennedy, TE Cam Clear); West Virginia (WR Kevin White, OL Quinton Spain, DB Karl Joseph, DE Shaq Riddick).
Why NFL fans should tune in: White has been one of the nation's elite receivers this year and figures to have a big day against a porous TAMU secondary operating under a transition at defensive coordinator. West Virginia's best pass rusher, Riddick, has the length and athleticism to test Ogbuehi at the left tackle position. And given scouting concerns about Ogbuehi's performance at the position, he could use a final opportunity to show scouts what he can do at the most important position on the line. After transferring from FCS Gardner-Webb University, Riddick can, in turn, make a statement of his own against a high-profile tackle. All signs point to a high-scoring affair as long as quarterbacks Kyle Allen and Skyler Howard get decent protection.
Game predictions:
Brandt: West Virginia, 42-38
Brooks: West Virginia, 61-58
Jeremiah: Texas A&M, 45-31
Fischer: Texas A&M, 35-28
Goodbread: Texas A&M, 48-45
Huguenin: Texas A&M, 44-38
RUSSELL ATHLETIC BOWL
Site: Orlando
Date: Dec. 29
Time/TV: 5:30 p.m., ESPN
Matchup: Oklahoma (8-4) vs. Clemson (9-3)
NFL teams attending:Indianapolis Colts, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans, Denver Broncos, Pittsburgh Steelers.
Top players to watch: Oklahoma (RB Samaje Perine, LB Eric Striker, WR Sterling Shepard, OL Daryl Williams, OL Adam Shead, OL Tyrus Thompson, DL Charles Tapper, DB Julian Wilson, TE Blake Bell, DL Geneo Grissom, DL Chuka Ndule); Clemson (DE Vic Beasley, WR Artavis Scott, WR Mike Williams, LB Stephone Anthony, DL Grady Jarrett, DL Shaq Lawson, DL Corey Crawford, LB Tony Steward)
Why NFL fans should tune in: Oklahoma didn't play to preseason expectations in 2014, but it's still loaded with talent and headed to the Sunshine State to face one of the ACC's best in Clemson. Perine, a freshman who holds the FBS record for single-game rushing yards, makes the Sooners' offense go, but there are a number of players across the board worth keeping an eye on, including Striker, a lightning-quick pass rusher. Beasley is also worth the price of admission and will be among the top pass rushers in the 2015 NFL Draft after turning in another terrific season. We might not get the young quarterback matchup some were hoping for due to injuries but there are plenty of talented players worth watching in what should be a quality game.
Game predictions:
Brandt: Oklahoma, 31-28
Brooks: Oklahoma, 45-40
Jeremiah: Oklahoma, 31-21
Fischer: Oklahoma, 31-20
Goodbread: Oklahoma, 31-28
Huguenin: Oklahoma, 21-17
TEXAS BOWL
Site: Houston
Date: Dec. 29
Time/TV: 9 p.m. ET, ESPN
Matchup: Arkansas (6-6) vs. Texas (6-6)
NFL teams attending:Carolina Panthers, Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints, Oakland Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Diego Chargers.
Top players to watch: Arkansas (RB Jonathan Williams, OL Brey Cook, LB Martrell Spaight, DE Trey Flowers, CB Tevin Mitchel); Texas (DL Malcom Brown, DE Cedric Reed, CB Quandre Diggs, WR John Harris, LB Jordan Hicks).
Why NFL fans should tune in: The Longhorns and Razorbacks both enter with 6-6 records, but entirely different perspectives on the season. For Texas fans, Charlie Strong's first season can't end soon enough. Meanwhile, Arkansas is the "happy-to-be-here" team as late-season signs of life propelled the Razorbacks into bowl eligibility. Arkansas has a massive offensive line that will be a power-on-power matchup for Longhorns defensive linemen Reed and Brown. Hicks and Spaight represent 2014 success stories at linebacker for each team. Hicks overcame an Achilles injury to lead the team in tackles (138). Spaight came out of nowhere to do the same (123) and is on his way to the Senior Bowl. Arkansas' Williams has applied for feedback from the NFL Draft Advisory Board, so the Texas Bowl could be his college farewell.
Game predictions:
Brandt: Arkansas, 28-24
Brooks: Texas, 21-20
Jeremiah: Arkansas, 28-27
Fischer: Arkansas, 24-21
Goodbread: Arkansas, 27-13
Huguenin: Arkansas, 27-20
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