Players to watch: Pre-Christmas bowls

The Aztecs have one of the better defenses in the nation, allowing just 154 points all year. Barcoo was one of the headliners, as he led the team with eight interceptions (second nationally) and 16 passes defended (tied for tops in the country). Earlier this season, he had an interception in three consecutive defensive snaps against Colorado State.

San Diego State plays Central Michigan in the New Mexico Bowl on Dec. 21. 

Bayless finished the regular season second in receiving yards and touchdown receptions. He had 10 games where he had at least 94 receiving yards, seven games of at least 113 yards and five games of at least 140 yards. He also has a remarkable story of overcoming several tragic moments in his life to become one of the top receivers in the country.

Arkansas State plays Florida International in the Camellia Bowl on Dec. 21.

Hawaii once again trotted its high-octane offenses out for those late-night games out on the islands. Cole McDonald had a quartet of capable receivers but none was better than Cedric Byrd. He led the Rainbow Warriors with 95 receptions (third nationally) for 1,068 yards and 10 TDs. Some of that was buoyed by a 14-catch, 224-yard performance against Arizona in the season opener.

Hawaii plays BYU in the SoFi Hawaii Bowl on Dec. 24. 

Crum is a dual-threat quarterback who led the Golden Flashes in passing and rushing and was responsible for 23 touchdowns. Against Ball State on Nov. 23, he passed for 369 yards and three TDs and rushed for 101 yards and another score and is everything to this Kent State squad. For Kent State to win its first-ever bowl game, Crum will literally have to carry the load.

Kent State plays Utah State in the Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl on Dec. 20. 

UCF's magical run of the last two years was derailed by quarterback issues in an effort to replace the injured McKenzie Milton. However, that didn't stop Gabriel Davis from having a fantastic season. He finished fifth nationally with 1,241 receiving yards and ninth with 12 touchdowns. Davis has already announced he will forgo his senior season and enter the NFL Draft.

UCF plays Marshall in the Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl on Dec. 23. 

Most of you know Eason's story. He had a fantastic freshman season at Georgia before losing his starting gig to Jake Fromm after becoming injured early in his sophomore campaign. He transferred out last year and has had a solid season with Washington. He threw for nearly 3,000 yards and 22 touchdowns for the Huskies.

Washington plays Boise State in the Mitsubishi Motors Las Vegas Bowl on Dec. 21.

Evans built on his breakout season of 2018 with a monster season for the Mountaineers. He rushed for 1,323 yards and 17 touchdowns (good for eighth in the country) while becoming more of a factor in the passing game (five TD receptions). He has been outstanding of late, scoring 11 TDs in Appalachian State's last four games.

Appalachian State plays UAB in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl on Dec. 21.

Gandy-Golden, who was a semifinalist for the Biletnikoff Award, was third in the nation in receiving yards (1,333) and is Liberty's record holder for career receptions, receiving touchdowns and receiving yards. He's caught a touchdown in four of his last five games and hopes to bring the Flames a win in their first bowl game.

Liberty plays Georgia Southern in the Cure Bowl on Dec. 21. 

Last year Jones was a victim of a shooting that saw a bullet enter the back of his neck and exit just below his eye. Fast forward about 15 months, and Jones led the Florida International Panthers in rushing (and eighth in Conference USA) and has scored a touchdown in six of the last eight games. His best game of the season was against Charlotte when he rushed for a season-high 117 yards and three TDs.

Florida International plays Arkansas State in the Camellia Bowl on Dec. 21. 

Georgia Southern is a run-heavy offense that mainly uses quarterback Shai Werts and the duo of King and Wesley Kennedy to pound the ball on their opponents. King led the Eagles in attempts and yards and finished second in touchdowns. In Georgia Southern's season finale, he rushed for 107 yards and three touchdowns in a win over rival Georgia State.

Georgia Southern plays Liberty in the Cure Bowl on Dec. 21. 

Knox has been a workhorse for the Thundering Herd. He's carried the ball 244 times for 1,284 yards and 11 touchdowns and earned Conference USA Player of the Year honors. He's rushed for over 100 yards in five of his last seven games, including 220 yards and two TDs against C-USA champion Florida Atlantic back in October.

Marshall plays UCF in the Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl on Dec. 23.

LeMay will be finishing off a fabulous career with the 49ers in the Bahamas. His 105 yards against Old Dominion in the regular-season finale (his fourth 100-yard game in five games) put him over 1,000 rushing yards for the second straight season. It is fitting that the second leading rusher in 49ers history will end his time in Charlotte with the team's first-ever bowl game.

Charlotte plays Buffalo in the Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl on Dec. 20.   

Love has had an uneven year. As a sophomore he was sensational with 32 touchdowns and just six interceptions but regressed in his junior year. He threw 17 TDs and 16 picks this season and had some of his worst games against the best teams on the Aggies schedule. Despite that, Love has already announced he will leave for the NFL after his team's bowl game against Kent State. He is considered one of the better quarterback prospects.

Utah State plays Kent State in the Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl on Dec. 20. 

The junior linebacker from Miami has had a nice season for the Blazers. He's second on the team in sacks (nine) and tops in tackles and forced fumbles and has intercepted a pass this season. Not too shabby for a guy who was playing defensive back at the beginning of 2018.

UAB plays Appalachian State in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl on Dec.21. 

Patterson led the MAC in rushing this year with 1,626 yards and was second in touchdowns with 17. In the Bulls finale, he ran for 298 yards and six TDs in a win over Bowling Green and has run for at least 141 yards in each of his last five games. In just two seasons, he's already rushed for 31 touchdowns despite being lightly recruited due to his small frame.

Buffalo plays Charlotte in the Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl on Dec. 20. 

Proche's 102 receptions this season were second nationally, and his 14 receiving touchdowns ranked third. SMU's best season since it received the death penalty in the mid-1980s has shined a light on what Proche has done over the last two seasons: 195 receptions, 2,338 yards and 26 TDs.

SMU plays Florida Atlantic in the Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl on Dec. 21.

Robison entered the season with a lot of baggage. He was kicked out of Oklahoma and then suspended last spring by FAU, which left Owls fans nervous about him taking over the offense. But he ended up leading the league in passing yards and was named MVP of the Conference USA championship game. Now he leads FAU in a virtual home game against a good SMU team.

Florida Atlantic plays SMU in the Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl on Dec. 21.

Ward has been fantastic this year and was a big part of the Chippewas' impressive turnaround. A year after winning just one game, Central Michigan ended up in the MAC title game. He hit the 1,000 yard mark and 15 TDs a year after gaining just 212 yards.  

Central Michigan plays San Diego State in the New Mexico Bowl on Dec. 21. 

Weaver may be the best player in any of the pre-Christmas bowl games. He is one of the most feared pass rushers in the nation and was among the top sack artists in the nation (though he's only recorded one over his last four games). He is a top NFL draft prospect who should have a big day against a Washington offense that has struggled at times.

Boise State plays Washington in the Mitsubishi Motors Las Vegas Bowl on Dec. 21. 

Wilson won't be confused with the great passers who have come out of BYU, but he's had a decent season. He's passed for 2,108 yards on the year, despite missing several games with a thumb injury, including 293 yards and four TDs against UMass before Thanksgiving. If BYU is to beat old rival Hawaii, Wilson must limit his turnovers, like his two picks against San Diego State in his last outing.

BYU plays Hawaii in the SoFi Hawaii Bowl on Dec. 24.