Players to watch: New Year's and playoff bowls

Auburn's offense has been lacking all season, but in Auburn's final regular-season game Tank Bigsby broke out. The freshman running back (who I was high on before the season) ran for 192 yards on Mississippi State and found the rhythm he lost during November. Bigsby will go up against what was thought of as a great run defense in Northwestern ... until they allowed Ohio State's Trey Sermon to blast them for 331 rushing yards. Auburn will need Bigby carrying the offensive load and become the star heading into the new era of Tigers football in 2021.

Auburn faces Northwestern in the Vrbo Citrus Bowl on January 1st. 

Corral has taken a liking to Lane Kiffin's offense. He threw for just under 3,000 yards this season and 27 touchdowns, punctuated by his performance against South Carolina (28 of 32 passing, 513 yards, 4 TDs). He also tossed six touchdowns on lowly Vanderbilt and ran for 158 yards against LSU -- though he would toss five interceptions in that game. Corral seems to be an extension of Kiffin's confidence, which gets him in trouble at times (his 14 INTs, for example).

Mississippi faces Indiana in the Outback Bowl on January 2nd. 

Daniels tore his ACL in USC's 2019 season opener and it took late into this season (and a transfer to Georgia) for him to get back on the field. When he did, Georgia's offense took off. In three games, he threw for 839 yards and 9 TDs and made the Dawgs' offense sparkle. He'll go up against one of the best defenses in the nation in the Peach Bowl.

Georgia faces Cincinnati in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl on January 1st. 

We all know about Trevor Lawrence and how important he is to Clemson's chances at a national championship, but Travis Etienne will be the biggest key. It seems that in big games, the Tigers go as he goes. He exploded for 124 rushing yards and a touchdown against Notre Dame in the ACC title game (he had just 28 yards in their first meeting). He had three touchdowns against Ohio State in last year's College Football Playoff semifinal so the Buckeyes surely will attempt to slow him down or they'll end up with another loss to the Tigers.

Clemson faces Ohio State in the Allstate Sugar Bowl on January 1st. 

Fields entered the season projected to be the second-best player in the nation and could have been a great season away from catching Trevor Lawrence as the NFL's top prospect. The season didn't work out that way, whether it was due to the Big Ten's late start, COVID's effect on the Buckeyes season, or something else. What is concerning is how Fields performed in Ohio State's biggest games: three interceptions against Indiana and 114 yards, no touchdowns, and two picks. Clemson is up next, a team that he threw two interceptions against last year. He cannot make those kinds of mistakes and expect to advance to the title game.

Ohio State faces Clemson in the Allstate Sugar Bowl on January 1st.

Fisher leads all active players in tackles and is the unquestioned leader for one of the best defenses in the nation. He is a two-time first-team All-Big Ten selection and won the league's top linebacker award (the Butkus-Fitzgerald award, named for his coach). The last time the Wildcats were on the field, however, they gave up 399 rushing yards to Ohio State. This is Fisher's final college game, so look for him to not let Auburn's offense get going.

Northwestern faces Auburn in the Vrbo Citrus Bowl on January 1st. 

It is a shame that the shine from a great season for the Hoosiers has dimmed over the last few weeks. First was losing quarterback Michael Penix Jr. to a season-ending injury; then the Big Ten's decision to change the games played requirement knocked Indiana out of the championship game, and finally getting dropped down the bowl lineup and facing an SEC team with a losing record in the Outback Bowl. Still, it will be a time for Indiana fans to celebrate receiver Ty Fryfogle in his final game as a Hoosier. In a three-game stretch in the middle of the season, he caught 25 passes for 560 yards and six touchdowns ... with 7 of those receptions, 218 yards, and three TDs coming against Ohio State.

Indiana faces Mississippi in the Outback Bowl on January 2nd. 

Hall is the nation's leading rusher and became the focal point of the Cyclones offense once pre-season Heisman darkhorse candidate Brock Purdy struggled. Hall has worn down a bit, though. After beginning the season with eight 100-yard games (seven games with 130+ yards), he has failed to top the century mark in their final three contests. He did score in each game this season, including twice in the Big 12 title loss to Oklahoma. With a few weeks' rest, look for Hall to get back to his early-season form in the Fiesta Bowl.

Iowa State faces Oregon in the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl on January 2nd.

Hockman has done a great job turning around the Wolfpack's season. After taking (back) over the quarterback spot when injuries knocked out the starters in games against rivals Duke and North Carolina, Hockman grew into the job. After a loss to Miami, Hockman and the Pack reeled off four straight wins to end the season, including giving Liberty their only loss. He threw for over 300 yards against Syracuse and Georgia Tech to end the season. This is a guy who heard the wrath of the fan base for two seasons and is now leading the program to a January bowl.

North Carolina State faces Kentucky in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl on January 2nd.

When the season began, sophomore quarterback Sam Howell was getting a lot of the press as one of the rising stars of college football. He has certainly delivered, throwing for 3,352 yards, 27 touchdowns, and just 6 interceptions ... and dramatically improving his completion percentage (69%). However, the Tar Heels' running game has been the story this season and has them in their first Orange Bowl in program history. Running backs Michael Carter and Javonte Williams will sit for the game, however, which puts Howell back in the spotlight.

North Carolina faces Texas A&M in the Capital One Orange Bowl on January 2nd

While some were upset that Cincinnati seemingly wasn't even considered for the College Football Playoff, facing Georgia in the Peach Bowl is an amazing opportunity for the nation to see quarterback Desmond Ridder. Ridder may be the most valuable player on a top ten team this season. He threw for 2,090 yards and 17 touchdowns ... while rushing for 609 yards and 12 touchdowns ... and was named the American's Offensive Player of the Year.

Cincinnati faces Georgia in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl on January 1st.  

Rodriguez had two big games to end the season -- both Wildcats wins. After rushing for 108 yards in a close loss to Georgia, he gained 149 yards and two touchdowns against Vanderbilt and 139 yards and three TDs on South Carolina. Granted, the Commodores and Gamecocks were doormats of the SEC this season, but when he gets going then Kentucky's offense is a different animal. Look for him to be a focal part of the gameplan heading into the Gator Bowl.

Kentucky faces North Carolina State in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl on January 2nd. 

Oregon is a bit of a surprise to be in the Fiesta Bowl. Figure that Oregon only played in the Pac-12 championship because Washington had to back out due to COVID-19. Then they beat USC and find themselves in a New Year's Six game. Shough has been the guy for the Ducks this season and figured to be building for a big future in Eugene. However, in the game against USC, Mario Cristobal  decided to give Boston College transfer Anthony Brown some run at QB (he would throw two touchdowns in the game). Shough is still the guy, and how he performs against a decent Iowa State defense could be the catalyst of what the Ducks' future at quarterback will be. 

Oregon faces Iowa State in the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl on January 2nd. 

I've been a DeVonta Smith fan for a few years now. Even with receivers Henry Ruggs and Jerry Jeudy alongside Smith last season, he still led the Tide in receiving yards and touchdowns. He passed both those marks in just 11 games this season. He could be the first receiver to win the Heisman since 1991.

Alabama faces Notre Dame in the Rose Bowl Game presented by Capital One on January 1st. 

Spiller took advantage of one of the best offensive lines in the nation by tallying six 100-yard games for the Aggies. Against Florida, he ran for 174 yards and two touchdowns in the win that nearly put them in the College Football Playoff. A&M will have the match North Carolina's offensive output so look for a large dose of Spiller in the Orange Bowl.

Texas A&M faces North Carolina in the Capital One Orange Bowl on January 2nd.

In Notre Dame's big wins this season, Williams has been outstanding. In the Irish's first game against Clemson, he ran for 140 yards and three touchdowns. Against North Carolina, he ran for 124 yards and totaled three scores. He can be a threat in the passing game as well, catching 27 passes this season (including a 75-yard catch and run against Duke). For Notre Dame to beat Alabama, a lot of great things need to happen for the Irish. Getting Williams going is a big part of the Irish's offense and keeping Mac Jones and DeVonta Smith off the field.

Notre Dame faces Alabama in the Rose Bowl Game presented by Capital One on January 1st.