Predicting the MVPs of Each SEC Bowl Game
Bowl season is upon us, and that means it's time for teams to generate some momentum heading into the offseason.
For some, that means finishing off the season the same way they did when they started this journey in September. For others, it means working on some lingering issues that need to be fixed.
Who will be the most valuable player in each SEC bowl game?
Our picks, based on talent, need and opportunity, are in this slideshow.
AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl: LSU WR Malachi Dupre
1 of 10
It's easy to look at the matchup between LSU and Texas Tech and just assume that Tigers running back Leonard Fournette will go off on the third-worst rush defense in the FBS.
That still might happen, but he won't—and shouldn't be—Plan A for head coach Les Miles.
Miles was almost fired following the season due in large part to his inability to produce a two-dimensional offense. Texas Tech struggles in pass defense as well (115th in FBS), which means it's time for wide receiver Malachi Dupre to live up to the hype and have a big day in Houston against the Red Raiders.
The 6'3", 190-pound sophomore from New Orleans leads the Tigers with 602 receiving yards and six touchdowns, which is nice, but not indicative of his potential. He'll light up the stat sheet in the bowl game, though, and show the world why he was a 5-star prospect coming out of high school.
Dupre will top the 100-yard mark for the third time this season, and quarterback Brandon Harris will throw early and often against Texas Tech.
Birmingham Bowl: Memphis QB Paxton Lynch
2 of 10
Sorry, Auburn fans, but this is just a horrible matchup for head coach Gus Malzahn's crew. Memphis signal-caller Paxton Lynch is the best quarterback Auburn will have faced all year and is a big reason why I picked Memphis to spring the upset in the Birmingham Bowl.
The junior has thrown for 3,670 yards, 28 touchdowns and only three picks and has spread the ball around all year. Nine Tiger receivers have 10 or more catches, which will put a ton of pressure on Auburn's pass defense.
What's more, Lynch will be likely playing his last game with the Tigers before jumping to the NFL.
Good luck, Auburn.
With a patchwork defense led by interim coordinator Lance Thompson and a secondary that is inconsistent at best, it'll be a long afternoon for Auburn and a big day for Lynch.
Belk Bowl: Mississippi State QB Dak Prescott
3 of 10
In what will be Dak Prescott's last game as the Mississippi State quarterback, expect the star to go out in style.
Prescott has been a monster for the Bulldogs this year, racking up 3,413 passing yards, 541 rushing yards and 35 total touchdowns in 2015. He'll go down as one of—if not the—best players in program history and will light up a defense that has given up 33 plays of 30 or more yards this year—the second-worst mark in the ACC.
Prescott will add a few more to that total.
In what should be a high-scoring affair in Charlotte, Prescott will top the 300-yard mark through the air, score three touchdowns and go out on a high note against the North Carolina State Wolfpack.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl: Texas A&M DE Myles Garrett
4 of 10
While all the focus in Texas A&M's bowl game will be on quarterback Jake Hubenak and the Aggie offense, it'll be the defense that steals the show.
Specifically, defensive end Myles Garrett.
The sophomore has erupted this year with a conference-best 11.5 sacks, notched 18.5 tackles for loss and is one of those defensive linemen who demands attention from the entire offense—just like former South Carolina star Jadeveon Clowney.
Louisville will give him quite a test, though.
Quarterback Lamar Jackson is quite a weapon on zone reads, which will put a ton of pressure on Garrett to stay disciplined, make open-field tackles and set the tone for John Chavis' defense.
He'll come through with flying colors.
Garrett will post a couple of sacks, live in the backfield and will set the tone for 2016 with a strong performance to close out the 2015 season.
Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic: Alabama RB Derrick Henry
5 of 10
Sorry, Michigan State, but you're going to be the next victim of the Derrick Henry express.
The 2015 Heisman Trophy winner has been a monster down the stretch, topping the 200-yard mark three times in November, earning the most prestigious individual award in sports and etching his name in stone as one of the most dominant running backs in SEC history.
He will also help Alabama get one step closer to the national title than it got last year.
Michigan State wants to play in a phone booth just like the Crimson Tide, and it isn't going to get Alabama out of its comfort zone. That means offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin will administer a heavy dose of No. 2 against the Spartans, Henry will top the 150-yard mark on the ground and the Crimson Tide will move on to play in the national title.
Outback Bowl: Tennessee RB Jalen Hurd
6 of 10
Get ready, Tennessee. It's coming.
That pesky thing known as "offseason hype" was prevalent last offseason on Rocky Top, and it's only going get bigger this offseason as the Vols will return virtually everybody off of a team that was one fourth-down touchdown by Florida away from winning the SEC East in 2015.
Running back Jalen Hurd will be a big reason for that hype.
The 6'4", 240-pounder from Hendersonville, Tennessee, rushed for 1,158 yards and 11 touchdowns in an offense that featured Alvin Kamara and Joshua Dobbs getting plenty of rushing love, as well.
Hurd will make a statement against a Northwestern rushing defense that's been pretty solid this year (117.83 YPG). He'll go north of 130 yards on the ground, score twice and kick that Vol offseason hype train into overdrive.
Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl: Michigan DB/KR Jabrill Peppers
7 of 10
Get ready for the Jabrill Peppers show, because the do-everything Michigan defensive back is about to announce his presence with authority in the Citrus Bowl vs. Florida.
That is, of course, if he plays.
As Nick Baumgardner of MLive.com reported this week, Peppers is "working through something," and his status is unknown for the game. Sometimes it's fun to live dangerously, so let's go with Peppers as the MVP of the Citrus Bowl.
His ability to play safety, nickel and corner for the Wolverines is a big reason why they finished with one of the best defenses in the country, and he adds a little extra spice to his game with his work as a returner.
Not only will he play, but he'll break up three passes, hit double-digits in tackles and further solidify his superstar status.
Allstate Sugar Bowl: Ole Miss QB Chad Kelly
8 of 10
The Nkemdiche brothers have dominated headlines for Ole Miss over the last couple of weeks, but it will be quarterback Chad Kelly dominating the news when the Rebels square off with Oklahoma State in the first Sugar Bowl for Ole Miss since 1970.
The dual-threat junior led the SEC in passing this year with 3,740 yards, added 27 touchdowns and rushed for 427 yards and 10 more scores. In a game that has shootout written all over it, Kelly will bring his best to the table at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
With weapons like Laquon Treadwell, Cody Core, Quincy Adeboyejo and the rest of the talented receiving corps in Oxford, Kelly will top the 300-yard mark, rush for 75 more and lead his team to a win in a high-scoring affair in New Orleans.
TaxSlayer Bowl: Penn State QB Christian Hackenberg
9 of 10
Only one SEC team is an underdog this bowl season, according to OddsShark.com, but there are bound to be upsets.
Penn State topping Georgia will be one of those upsets.
The Bulldogs have no offense to speak of and a patchwork interim coaching staff, and they are facing a quarterback in Christian Hackenberg who—while frustrating at times—has plenty of upside.
That upside will be apparent in Jacksonville, as he caps off his season (and perhaps his Penn State career) with a big win over Georgia in a game that will mean a ton to Nittany Lions and former Vanderbilt head coach James Franklin.
Hackenberg will throw for 300 yards, toss two touchdowns and lead his team to a close win over the Bulldogs.
AutoZone Liberty Bowl: Arkansas QB Brandon Allen
10 of 10
If you're looking for the hottest quarterback in college football, look no further than Arkansas senior signal-caller Brandon Allen.
His stat line including 14 touchdowns and two interceptions for a ball-control, ground-and-pound offense would be solid for an entire season. For Allen, that's called "the month of November."
Against a Kansas State defense that has given up 283 yards per game through the air, Allen is going to have a field day. Expect him to close out his career with a 300-yard, four-touchdown game in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl.
That will solidify him as one of the most successful quarterbacks in program history, despite navigating through some speed bumps and early injuries.
Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Statistics are courtesy of cfbstats.com, and recruiting information is courtesy of247Sports.
Barrett Sallee is the lead SEC college football writer and national college football video analyst for Bleacher Report as well as a host on Bleacher Report Radio on SiriusXM 83. Follow Barrett on Twitter @BarrettSallee.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
