Players to watch in the Pre-New Year's bowls

Adams has had an up and down season. He's had some huge games (games of 229, 202, 191, 161, 159 yards) and some stinkers (22, 40, 49). He also didn't gobble up touchdowns like you think a big back like him would. Still, when he's on he's a beauty to watch. Against USC in a huge rivalry game, he ran for 191 yards and three scores. Notre Dame plays LSU in the Citrus Bowl Presented by Overton's on Jan. 1. 

Chubb has been one of the best defensive linemen in the country. He has 10 sacks and 26 tackles for loss thus far and has been a key cog in the Wolfpack's stout rushing defense. He was named the ACC's Defensive Player of the Year, the Bronco Nagurski (top defensive lineman) and Ted Hendricks (top defensive end) Award winners and could be a top five pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. North Carolina State plays Arizona State in the Hyundai Sun Bowl on Dec. 29.  

Davis got some publicity back in late December when he picked off three BYU passes and returned two for touchdowns. He also returned another interception for a touchdown during the season. He's been amazing this year and a definite game-changer who gets to go against Tyler Rogers, who is one of the better passers in America. Utah State plays New Mexico State in the Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl on Dec. 29. 

Dillon has been on fire over the second half of the season. After a dismal start to the year, the Eagles have won five of their last six games, and Dillon has been a big part of that success. Over that six-game stretch, he has averaged 183 yards rushing and scored 11 total touchdowns. Dillon cruised to the ACC's Rookie of the Year Award this year and was named to the First-Team All-ACC sqaud. Boston College plays Iowa in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl on Dec. 27.

Falk has had an interesting season for the Cougars. He threw for nearly 3,600 yards and 30 touchdowns and became the Pac-12 leader in passing yards, touchdowns, completions and attempts. Yet he was benched during the season for who will be his replacement. The Holiday Bowl will be his final collegiate game, the site where last year's season ended with a thud for Falk and Washington State. Falk's had a magical statistical career and would love nothing more than to end on a high note. Washington State plays Michigan State in the San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl on Dec. 28.

Ford will play his final game for the Longhorns, but he's left a legacy in Austin. His heart and hard work have made him the Big 12's Defensive Lineman of the Year. Will the NFL treat him like high schools and colleges did and underestimate him? Probably, and that is just how Ford likes it. Texas plays Missouri in the Academy Sports + Outdoors Texas Bowl on Dec. 27. 

Gay is the 2017 Lou Groza Award winner who was a standout soccer player at Utah Valley University before walking on at Utah. After his Church of Latter-Day Saints mission and a couple of years of soccer, a friend convinced Gay to walk on at Utah as a place kicker, which he did and won the starting job. He made his first 14 field goals, led the nation in field goals made and attempted, and has made a FBS-leading five field goals over 50 yards. Sadly his friend passed away before his success but remains in his heart, especially as he's lining up for another kick. Utah plays West Virginia in the Zaxby's Heart of Dallas Bowl on Dec. 26.

Last year, Michigan tight end Jake Butt got hurt in the Wolverines' bowl game, and it cost him some draft stock. Hurst debated sitting out this year's Outback Bowl but will suit up against South Carolina. It will be the end to a great season in Ann Arbor as he piled up 59 tackles, five sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss this year. Michigan plays South Carolina in the Outback Bowl on Jan. 1. 

Jackson's seven interceptions tied for the best in the nation this season, and he led the country in passes defended. Despite being a probable first-round pick if he declares, he wants to face off against Boston College in the Pinstripe Bowl. He loves the competition and loves his teammates — so much so that he realistically could come back to Iowa for his senior season. If so, he will continue to terrorize offenses. Iowa plays Boston College in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl on Dec. 27. 

Jackson is the leading rusher in Northwestern history. He joins Ron Dayne as the second Big Ten player to ever rush for 1,000 yards in four seasons. He didn't have as great a year for his senior season but was solid nonetheless, especially down the stretch. He rushed for at least 144 yards in three of his last four games, and the Wildcats come into Nashville riding a seven-game winning streak. Northwestern plays Kentucky in the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl on Dec. 29. 

Jackson followed up his Heisman season with another year of the same. Stats-wise, he was slightly down, but he was a more efficient passer this season. It just felt different this year — maybe because Louisville didn't run out to a great start as it did in 2016. Still, Jackson has had a tremendous career in college, which will probably end in Jacksonville. Louisville plays Mississippi State in the TaxSlayer Bowl on Dec. 30. 

Kirk didn't have the season most expected him to have. The junior suffered not so much because of anything he did but by his surroundings. Shaky quarterback and offensive line play slowed the passing game, but Kirk is still regarded as one of the best receivers in the land. He continued to make big plays with his seven receiving TDs and two more on returns. Texas A&M plays Wake Forest in the Belk Bowl on Dec. 29. 

Missouri isn't usually on the national forefront, which is a shame since Mizzou's quarterback has had an amazing season. Lock set the SEC single-season record for touchdown passes with 43, which also lead the nation this year. Four times this season, Lock threw at least five touchdown passes, including his last game. He's gotten hotter as the season has gone on, and the Tigers, with their six-game winning streak, have benefited nicely. Missouri plays Texas in the Academy Sports + Outdoors Texas Bowl on Dec. 27. 

Baker Mayfield may have handily won the Heisman Trophy, but Love shouldn't have been too far off the pace. What if Love didn't miss the Cardinal's game against Oregon State? He finished just 54 yards behind the season leading rusher. In his first game back from injury, he had his worst statistical effort. In fact, Love spent much of the season banged up, but he still went out there and just kept running. Unlike Christian McCaffrey a year ago, Love will perform in Stanford's bowl game, banged up and all. Stanford plays TCU in the Valero Alamo Bowl on Dec. 28.

Miller made the Associated Press All-American Team, becoming just the second Memphis player to do so. He's essentially rewritten the university's record books. He finished second in touchdown receptions this season, fifth in receptions and fourth in yards. He had four games this season in which he caught at least 10 passes and five games in which he had at least 160 yards receiving. His masterpiece was against UConn, when he caught 15 passes for 224 yards and four touchdowns. Memphis plays Iowa State in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl on Dec. 30.

Perry has been named Navy's starter for the Military Bowl. Zach Abey, who rushed for 1,325 yards and 14 touchdowns this season, will be the backup. Navy's season was looking great early on (5-0), but that came crashing down as the Midshipmen won just one of their last seven games. Perry has thrown just two passes all season but has gotten a lot of work as a rusher. Against Army, he rushed for 250 yards, which was almost exactly a month after he piled up 282 yards and four TDs against SMU. Navy plays Virginia in the Military Bowl Presented by Northrup Grumman on Dec. 28. 

New Mexico State will make its first bowl appearance since 1960, and Rogers has a lot to do with getting the Aggies back. Rogers is seventh in the nation in passing yards, and he certainly loves to sling it (third in attempts). He also led the nation with 16 interceptions, so going up against Utah State's Jalen Davis, who had five picks this season, will be one of the bowl season's greatest treats. It should be a blast seeing Aggies fans (well, both teams) flock to Tuscon. New Mexico State plays Utah State in the Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl on Dec. 29. 

If Rosen, a junior, declares for the NFL Draft, he will be among the top players selected. NFL scouts love him as the most pro-ready QB prospect on the board. Sure, he's had some turnover issues and he may be a bit cocky, but he's as close to a sure thing as you can get for a quarterback prospect. Last time we saw Rosen, he was knocked out of the game against Cal after a big hit, but he's expected to play in the Cactus Bowl. UCLA plays Kansas State in the Cactus Bowl on Dec. 26.

Rudolph just can't get the love. Despite leading the nation in passing yards (4,553) and finishing fifth in passing touchdowns (35), he doesn't get attention he deserves. He's not the best player on his team — James Washington is — and his statistical accomplishments get drowned out not only by a fellow Big 12 player, but one in his own state: Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield. Rudolph has thrown for over 400 yards in three of his last four outings and is chomping at the bit to do it again. Oklahoma State plays Virginia Tech in the Camping World Bowl on Dec. 28.  

Sills, who famously committed to USC at the age of 13, leads all players in receiving touchdowns in 2017. It's amazing for a former quarterback-turned-receiver to catch 60 passes for nearly 1,000 yards and 18 TDs, and he was the only Mountaineers player to make First Team All-Big 12 this season. West Virginia plays Utah in the Zaxby's Heart of Dallas Bowl on Dec. 26.

Smith finished as the second leading rusher in Conference USA and is on a bit of a roll of late. In the last three games, he has rushed for 453 yards and six TDs. He is also one of just 10 FBS players to ever rush for 4,000 yards and tally 1,000 receiving yards in a career. Southern Miss plays Florida State in the Walk-On's Independence Bowl on Dec. 27.

Snell burst on the scene in Lexington to have a great career thus far. The sophomore has rushed for 2,409 yards and 30 touchdowns in his young career and has been scorching hot of late. In his last five games, he's averaged 155 yards rushing and totaled 12 touchdowns, including a 211-yard effort against Louisville. He also attended a Wildcats basketball game and guaranteed the crowd a win in the Music City Bowl. He's a great talent who likes to be bold. Kentucky plays Northwestern in the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl on Dec. 29. 

There weren't many players who had a run like Tate did this season. In a six-week span, he rushed for 1,207 yards and 11 touchdowns (and, um, he's a quarterback) pushing the 'Cats to a 5-1 record. Both he and the team cooled off down the stretch, but he's as explosive a player as there is in the nation. Just ask Colorado. Tate completed 12-of-13 passes for 154 yards and a TD while running for 327 yards and four touchdowns against the Buffaloes. Yikes. Arizona plays Purdue in the Foster Farms Bowl on Dec. 27. 

Just before Halloween, Thompson came in and saved the Wildcats from what would have been an embarrassing loss to Kansas. Since then, he's saved the season for a K-State team that was falling apart. Since that Kansas win, the Wildcats have won four out of five, including an improbable win at Oklahoma State. The freshman's passing numbers don't wow you, but his dual-threat style has energized a team that had crumbled when starting QB Jesse Ertz went down with a knee injury. Ertz graduates, and it looks as if Thompson will inherit the reins under center. Kansas State plays UCLA in the Cactus Bowl on Dec. 26.

Washington, the 2017 Biletnikoff winner, caught 69 passes this season for 1,423 yards (second best nationally) and 12 touchdowns. He caught at least seven passes in a game five times this season and averaged 20.6 yards a catch — an amazing average for a player with that many receptions. It isn't just the volume of receptions but the fact that he can go up and make amazing plays. His Oklahoma State career will end in the Camping World Bowl, but we'll see him make plays on Sundays next year. Oklahoma State plays Virginia Tech in the Camping World Bowl on Dec. 28.