Players to watch: Playoff and New Year's bowls

Abraham can be frustrating at times. His 3,329 yards place him among the top 20 in passing yards, though his 15 interceptions were third-most in the nation. The last time we saw him, he threw four picks against Florida Atlantic (and no touchdowns). He also threw for 421 yards and three scores against North Texas. His performance will go a long way in deciding the Armed Forces Bowl.

Southern Miss plays Tulane in the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl on Jan. 4.

Bateman can be explosive. He had five games of at least 100 yards receiving, three games of at least 147 yards and 203 yards in Minnesota's big win over Penn State. He caught a touchdown in eight games this year and averaged over 20 yards per catch.

Minnesota plays Auburn in the Outback Bowl on Jan. 1. 

Brown's numbers won't turn heads, but anyone who watches him plays sees the effect he has on games. Despite being the focus of blocking schemes, Brown is great at disrupting plays by stuffing the run and pushing into the quarterback's space. He even got some love in the Heisman voting.

Auburn plays Minnesota in the Outback Bowl on Jan. 1.

Of course the Heisman Trophy winner will be a player to watch during bowl season since he is considered the best player in the nation. But we're in the national championship mode now, and just being the best player over a 12 or 13 week period isn't enough. The last time a Heisman winner also won the national championship was in 2015 with Alabama's Derrick Henry. The last time a Heisman-winning quarterback won the title was Florida State's Jameis Winston in 2013. It's difficult. Burrow hasn't had a dud of a game all year and likely won't against an Oklahoma defense that isn't known for stopping anyone. This has been a special season for Burrow, and ending it with a title would make it one of the best ever.

LSU plays Oklahoma in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, the College Football Playoff semifinal, on Dec. 28.

Tucked in the northeast is AJ Dillon ... one of the best running backs that no one talks about. He ran for 1,000 yards for the third straight year, hitting a career-high 1,685 yards this season (5th best in the country). He's averaging over 5 yards per carry and has gained 165+ yards in four or the Eagles' last six games.

Boston College plays Cincinnati in the TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl on Jan. 2. 

Dobbins has been the most important Buckeye in Ohio State's most important games. In the last three games of the season (against Penn State, Michigan and Wisconsin), he averaged 180 yards and totaled six TDs. It isn't just that he gained a bunch of yards, but he also was a workhorse in those games (exactly 100 carries combined). While there are bigger stars on this team, Dobbins will be the guy to carry the Buckeyes to a national championship.

Ohio State plays Clemson in the Fiesta Bowl, the College Football Playoff semifinal, on Dec. 28.

Etienne just does his thing. He has rushed for 1,500 yards this season (seventh in the nation) despite carrying the ball only 182 times. He's gaining 8.2 yards per rush (best in the nation) and scored an ACC-best 17 rushing TDs. Etienne's ability to not only move the chains but also break off a big play loosens up defenses and lets that passing game thrive. While the big lights will be on Trevor Lawrence, it will be Etienne who will be the main factor in the Tigers' attempt to repeat as champs.

Clemson plays Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl, the College Football Playoff semifinal, on Dec. 28.

Fromm certainly had an effect on the 2019 college football season even if he didn't have a great season himself. While transfers were the story of the season, Fromm finally was entrenched as the Georgia starter and had no reason to fear losing his job. The issue is that he regressed a bit this year, throwing for less yards and less touchdowns, and he was less accurate. He also had a couple of really poor showings, most notably the unfathomable loss at home to South Carolina. Fromm is better as a game manager than as a guy needed to shoulder the offensive load. He threw the ball more than 30 times in just two games — 51 in the South Carolina loss and 42 in the SEC title loss to LSU.

Georgia plays Baylor in the Allstate Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1. 

Herbert came into the season with a lot of fanfare due to draft experts pegging him as a likely No. 1 pick in next spring's NFL Draft. An opening weekend loss to Auburn deflated people's thoughts of him, but he's really been every bit of a solid passer all year. He threw for 3,333 yards, 32 TDs and just five interceptions while completing 67 percent of his passes. If not for a stunning loss to Arizona State late in the year (where he threw two of his five interceptions), the Ducks would likely be playing in the College Football Playoff.

Oregon plays Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual on Jan. 1. 

So Jalen Hurts didn't become the third straight Oklahoma quarterback to win a Heisman Trophy, but he is exactly where he wants to be. He is in the College Football Playoff where he is attempting to reach his fourth consecutive national championship game. That is quite amazing even if you dismiss the other three trips: a loss to Deshaun Watson and Clemson, being replaced at halftime in the win over Georgia and getting a few snaps in last year's blowout loss to Clemson. Hurts' story has been redemption of sorts, as he is back in the Playoff and Alabama isn't. While that feels like a win for Hurts, there's nothing he'd love more than winning another title...and being the main reason for it.

Oklahoma plays LSU in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, the College Football Playoff semifinal, on Dec. 28.

There's no doubt that fans and players around the Alabama program are a bit down about the Tide not playing for a national championship. With players sitting out bowl games and Tua Tagovailoa out with his hip injury, you can excuse Crimson Tide nation for not being too hyped about the Citrus Bowl. Still, this could be the game that launches Mac Jones as the Tide starting quarterback next year. Jones has played well since taking over for Tua. Sure, those two pick-sixes he threw against Auburn are alarming, but it was his perseverance to fight back that should give fans hope that the Tide will be back in the Playoff next season.

Alabama plays Michigan in the Vrbo Citrus Bowl on Jan. 1.  

Baylor fans must feel that two close losses to Oklahoma that kept the Bears from playing for a national championship meant the season wasn't successful. Forget that! This was a great season for Baylor, which will be playing in one of the major bowls for the first time in 40 years and could win a school-record 12th game in the Sugar Bowl. Lynch was the leader of a great Bears defense, winning the Big 12's Defensive Player of the Year Award. He led the conference in sacks while forcing three fumbles.

Baylor plays Georgia in the Allstate Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1.

Tulane's dual-threat quarterback was one of the best in the nation at rushing for touchdowns. The LSU transfer's 12 rushing scores was third-best in the country. This was McMillan's first full season as the starter, and he led the Green Wave to a second straight bowl game. Tulane enters this game on quite a skid — it has lost five of six games, and McMillan has thrown just six TDs but eight INTs in that stretch.

Tulane plays Southern Miss in the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl on Jan. 4.

The Ragin' Cajuns are one of the best rushing teams in the country and have a trio of backs who can give defenses fits. Mitchell led Louisiana in rushing this season, becoming just the fourth back in program history to hit the 1,000 yard mark. He was the least-known prospect coming out of high school but has emerged as the Cajuns' go-to back when the offense needs a play.

Louisiana plays Miami (OH) in the LendingTree Bowl on Jan. 6.

When Patterson transferred from Ole Miss, fans felt that the Wolverines finally had a quarterback that could get them over the hump and into the College Football Playoff. That didn't happen, but Patterson is playing his best football right now as Michigan goes on to face Alabama...albeit not in the Playoff. Look for him to try to go out with a bang.

Michigan plays Alabama in the Vrbo Citrus Bowl on Jan. 1. 

Great name. Great game. Philyor was a major part of Indiana's big season with his 69 receptions and 1,001 yards. He had only five touchdowns, but he had some jaw-dropping performances this year. Against Nebraska, he caught 14 passes for 178 yards; he had 14 receptions for 142 yards and two TDs against Michigan State; he hauled in 10 catches for 182 yards vs. Rutgers.

Indiana plays Tennessee in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl on Jan. 2.

The Bobcats' senior quarterback has thrown for 2,676 yards, 20 TDs and five interceptions this year and has rushed for 780 yards and 12 TDs. In his career at Ohio, he's thrown for 60 touchdowns and just 20 picks while rushing for 48 touchdowns. He's been one of the best quarterbacks in the MAC over the past three seasons and is looking to win his third straight bowl game.

Ohio plays Nevada in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl on Jan. 3.

Taylor has arguably been the best running back over the last three years. He's rushed for over 6,000 yards in his career, which is good enough for sixth all time, and he still could come back for his senior year and smash the record. It's more likely he turns pro, but he would love nothing more than to make his mark in the Rose Bowl. With another 200-yard game, he would jump to fourth all time.

Wisconsin plays Oregon in the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual on Jan. 1. 

Not only does he have a fun name, but this freshman also has been key to the Vols' turnaround season. Tennessee was a laughingstock after opening up with losses to Georgia State and BYU but would go on to win seven of its final 10 games. To'o To'o showed great range at linebacker and became one of the team's top tacklers and more vocal leaders.

Tennessee plays Indiana in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl on Jan. 2. 

Warren had another fantastic season for the Bearcats. He ran for 1,160 yards and 16 total touchdowns on the season and has run for at least 99 yards in Cincy's last four games. He's been good all year and has taken on more carries late in the year, as the Bearcats work through quarterback issues. Expect a big game against Boston College.

Cincinnati plays Boston College in the TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl on Jan. 2.