1 Player to Watch in Every Remaining College Football Bowl Game
The 2015 college football postseason is underway, but yet it feels like we’re just getting started. A record 40 bowl games dot the landscape this holiday season—so many that FBS programs couldn’t fill the 80 slots with six-win teams as is normally required under NCAA rules, which forced bowl games to issue waivers so three 5-7 teams could participate.
With 12 games down, there’s plenty of fascinating action left for fans of all styles of football. Not every bowl game will be an instant classic, but this is a perfect time for college fans to catch up with and discover players they might have missed during the regular season. Here’s a look at one player to watch (some prominent, some not so much) in every remaining bowl game, starting with Dec. 26’s slate.
St. Petersburg Bowl (Dec. 26)
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The St. Petersburg Bowl is hardly the most intriguing matchup of the postseason, kicking off at 11 a.m. ET on the day after Christmas. But you’d better believe UConn is happy to be there. The 6-6 Huskies made their first bowl since 2010 under second-year coach Bob Diaco, and even the suboptimal football atmosphere of Tropicana Field won’t dampen their enthusiasm.
Sophomore tailback Arkeel Newsome will surely be excited. UConn’s standout runner emerged as one of the American Athletic Conference’s most versatile players this season. Newsome rushed for 760 yards and six touchdowns (including a 90-yard scoring run) and was also the Huskies’ No. 2 receiver with 40 catches for 432 yards and two touchdowns.
If he can spring a couple of big plays, the Huskies stand an excellent chance of leaving Tampa Bay with a momentum-building bowl victory and a winning record.
Sun Bowl (Dec. 26)
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The Sun Bowl figures to be one of the most competitive games of the postseason, matching a pair of 8-4 teams in Miami (Florida) and Washington State. The Cougars are an intriguing story, rebounding from a 3-9 season last year to win eight games and make a bowl game. Mike Leach’s Air Raid offense took flight with sophomore quarterback Luke Falk at the helm.
He was excellent at the Air Raid’s controls, throwing for 4,266 yards with 36 touchdowns against eight interceptions while completing 70.7 percent of his passes. Falk threw an incredible 591 times and surpassed 400 passing yards in a game five times and 500 twice. He finished fifth nationally in passing yardage despite missing the final game-and-a-half with a concussion, but he is ready for the Sun Bowl.
He has an intriguing matchup with a Miami secondary led by talented cornerback Artie Burns, but Falk will throw, throw and throw in El Paso, Texas.
Heart of Dallas Bowl (Dec. 26)
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Todd Monken has done an excellent job at Southern Miss. Larry Fedora left the program in solid shape when he was hired away by North Carolina in 2011, but Ellis Johnson turned the Golden Eagles into a smoldering ruin, going 0-12 in his lone season as head coach.
Monken went a combined 4-20 in his first two seasons, but his rebuilding efforts paid off this fall with a 9-4 record, a berth in the Conference USA title game and a trip to the Heart of Dallas Bowl against Washington. The Golden Eagles have a balanced offense with a pair of 1,000-yard rushers in Jalen Richard and Ito Smith, but the offense’s heart is quarterback Nick Mullens.
Mullens has thrown for 4,145 yards with 36 touchdowns against 12 interceptions. He has nine 300-yard passing games, but when he struggles, the Eagles tend to follow suit. He has a combined five touchdowns against six interceptions in USM’s four defeats. If Washington can slow him down through the air, the Huskies’ hopes of a bowl win will rise significantly.
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Pinstripe Bowl (Dec. 26)
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UAB’s loss was Indiana’s gain. Last December, UAB’s players were stunned when school officials announced the decision to shut down the Blazers’ program (a decision which was later reversed). UAB honored players’ scholarships, but those with eligibility remaining became free agents, able to play anywhere immediately.
That was a perfect scenario for Indiana, which had just lost 2,000-yard rusher Tevin Coleman to early NFL draft entry. Jordan Howard transferred to IU and became an immediate fit in the backfield. The speedy runner has 1,213 rushing yards and nine touchdowns despite missing three games due to injury this season. He hopes to play in the Pinstripe Bowl for the 6-6 Hoosiers against Duke, and if that’s the case, New York football fans will get a real treat.
Howard has six 100-yard rushing games this season, including a 238-yard, two-touchdown effort in a double-overtime loss to Michigan. His presence alone would make the Pinstripe worth watching.
Independence Bowl (Dec. 26)
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There’s one headline story in the Independence Bowl, and no one questions it. Tulsa vs. Virginia Tech will mark Frank Beamer’s final game following 29 years as the Hokies head coach, and Shreveport, Louisiana, offers symmetry and closure: His first bowl win came here 22 years ago.
Tulsa, however, hopes to serve as the spoiler. In Philip Montgomery’s first season, the Golden Hurricane went from 2-10 to 6-6, earning postseason eligibility. Junior quarterback Dane Evans was a perfect fit in Montgomery’s wide-open system. He threw for 3,958 yards with 22 touchdowns against eight interceptions, piling up eight 300-yard passing games and a trio of 400-yard affairs.
The Hokies secondary will be without standout cornerback Kendall Fuller, who is out for the season with a knee injury. That could make it easier for Evans to pile up yards through the air and ruin Beamer’s big send-off.
Foster Farms Bowl (Dec. 26)
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The Foster Farms Bowl could be renamed “The Disappointment Bowl.” Both Nebraska and UCLA began 2015 with high hopes but will end it hoping to salvage the year with a bowl win. The Bruins were legit College Football Playoff contenders but missed an opportunity to win the Pac-12 South following a season-ending 40-21 loss to crosstown-rival Southern California.
Nebraska lost a series of close games, and only an NCAA waiver kept the 5-7 Cornhuskers from missing a bowl for the third time since 1969.
UCLA freshman quarterback Josh Rosen hopes to finish his first collegiate season on a high note. The 6’4”, 210-pound true freshman had a solid season, throwing for 3,351 yards with 20 touchdowns against nine interceptions and posting five 300-yard efforts. He could stand to improve his accuracy after completing 59.5 percent of his passes. A strong effort against the Cornhuskers would build his confidence entering the offseason.
Military Bowl (Dec. 28)
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Poor Pitt. The Panthers put together a solid 8-4 season under first-year coach Pat Narduzzi, so what is their reward? A Military Bowl date with 10-2 Navy—on the Midshipmen’s home field. Ouch.
Navy had an excellent first season in the American Athletic Conference, staying in the race for a division title until the final weekend. Senior quarterback Keenan Reynolds put together a memorable farewell season in Annapolis, excelling in Navy’s flexbone offense. He threw for 1,077 yards with seven touchdowns against one interception, but truly dominated on the ground, rushing for 1,229 yards and 21 touchdowns while setting an NCAA career record for rushing touchdowns.
Unless the Panthers can slow down Reynolds on the ground, they’re in for a long day in Narduzzi’s first bowl game as a head coach.
Quick Lane Bowl (Dec. 28)
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The Quick Lane Bowl features a pair of returning bowl teams but two coaches who are new to their programs. John Bonamego took over at Central Michigan after Dan Enos bolted for Arkansas, and Tracy Claeys became Minnesota’s interim coach (and then its full-time coach) after Jerry Kill retired midseason due to health issues.
They’ll meet with the help of an NCAA waiver that allowed Minnesota to qualify despite a 5-7 record. Minnesota will look for a way to shut down CMU quarterback Cooper Rush. His last bowl game was truly memorable. He threw for 493 yards and an NCAA-bowl-record seven touchdowns in a wild 49-48 Bahamas Bowl loss to Western Kentucky.
This season, the junior threw for 3,703 yards with 25 touchdowns against 10 interceptions. If he can put up numbers like he did last December against the Gophers defense, the Quick Lane Bowl will be must-see TV.
Armed Forces Bowl (Dec. 29)
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Sonny Dykes has done an excellent job at Cal. Two years ago, the Bears were 1-11 in his first season at the helm, but at 7-5, they’re back in the postseason and facing off with 8-5 Air Force in the Armed Forces Bowl. Dykes’ rebuilding effort in Berkeley has attracted attention from other programs, and he reportedly interviewed with Missouri and was in touch with Virginia and South Carolina before signing a new deal with Cal, according to Pat Forde of Yahoo.
However, no matter where Dykes winds up next, he can’t take quarterback Jared Goff with him. Goff has emerged as a star in Dykes’ system and a potential high first-round pick in next spring’s NFL draft. He threw for 4,252 yards and 37 touchdowns against 13 interceptions, completing 64.2 percent of his passes. He has a pro-ready body and arm and surpassed 300 yards nine times this season, including a 542-yard, five-touchdown outburst in a wild 48-46 season-ending win over Arizona State.
This could be Goff’s final collegiate game. If you’re a fan of good passing or represent a team that has a high pick in the 2016 NFL draft, you’ll want to tune in and pay attention.
Russell Athletic Bowl (Dec. 29)
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The Russell Athletic Bowl looks attractive on paper, pitting No. 10 North Carolina (11-2) against No. 17 Baylor (9-3). But the Bears will enter Orlando battered. They’ll be without their top two quarterbacks in Seth Russell and Jarrett Stidham, who are both out for the season with injuries, and star receiver Corey Coleman and standout tailback Shock Linwood will miss the game following surgeries.
North Carolina won’t care, though. The Tar Heels are trying to finish their season on a high note after seeing their 11-game winning streak snapped in a 45-37 ACC Championship Game loss to Clemson. Senior quarterback Marquise Williams has been a dynamic force for UNC’s offense. He threw for 2,829 yards with 21 touchdowns against nine interceptions and added 867 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground.
Baylor’s defense has been shaky at times this season, and the dual-threat quarterback will look to exploit it one last time in Orlando, Florida.
Arizona Bowl (Dec. 29)
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The Arizona Bowl is rather low on the bowl Q-rating scale. The inaugural bowl was stuck with an all-Mountain West Conference matchup in 7-5 Colorado State and 6-6 Nevada, and it is the only bowl not to be televised nationally by either CBS or the ESPN family of networks.
So why should you watch Mike Bobo’s first bowl game as Colorado State head coach? Receiver Rashard Higgins. He is one of college football’s most talented and dynamic wideouts with excellent leaping and deep-threat ability. With Garrett Grayson’s graduation, Higgins’ numbers were down this season. He went from 96 receptions for 1,750 yards and 17 touchdowns to 66 receptions for 933 yards and eight scores entering the bowl game.
But if you can find the Arizona Bowl, Higgins is certainly a good reason to watch.
Texas Bowl (Dec. 29)
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The Texas Bowl will be a test of attitudes. Following a disastrous 4-8 2014 season, Texas Tech will be very happy to be in Houston after improving to 7-5. LSU? Probably not so much. Les Miles’ team began November unbeaten and No. 2 in the College Football Playoff rankings, but slumped to 8-3 after losing three of its final four games, with Miles nearly losing his job in the process.
If the Tigers rally around Miles, a good performance could mean big things for the program entering 2016. While Texas Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes will be an intriguing player in this game, the obvious guy to watch is LSU tailback Leonard Fournette. Fournette had a Heisman-worthy first two months of the season before fading in November.
Still, check out his stats: 1,741 yards, 18 touchdowns, 6.4 yards per carry. He could feast in Houston against Texas Tech’s defense, which allows 42.6 points per game, No. 125 nationally. Could Fournette reach 2,000 yards for the season? He’ll need 259, and against this defense, that’s very possible.
Birmingham Bowl (Dec. 30)
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The Birmingham Bowl matches teams that are traveling in opposite directions. Auburn began the season with hopes of an SEC title and College Football Playoff berth but slogged to a 6-6 finish and Birmingham Bowl bid. Memphis, meanwhile, had one of the best seasons in program history and will be looking for its second consecutive 10-win season. The Tigers will be without coach Justin Fuente, who was hired away by Virginia Tech, but they will have junior quarterback Paxton Lynch.
Lynch went from off-the-radar to a potential early draft entrant this season. He has an NFL-ready arm and frame (6'7", 245 lbs) and showed it off this fall. He threw for 3,670 yards with 28 touchdowns against three interceptions. The Birmingham Bowl should have an Auburn-heavy crowd, but Lynch could have a field day against the Tigers secondary.
Belk Bowl (Dec. 30)
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Dan Mullen is quietly building a solid program at Mississippi State. Conventional wisdom said the Bulldogs would take a step back this season following heavy graduation and NFL draft losses, but they put together an 8-4 record, earning a Belk Bowl date with N.C. State.
A huge reason why? Senior quarterback Dak Prescott. He didn’t get as much national attention this season because MSU never threatened to crack the Top 10, but he was invaluable to the Bulldogs' success. Prescott will play his final collegiate game in Charlotte, North Carolina, and hopes to go out with a bang. This season, he threw for 3,413 yards with 25 touchdowns and four interceptions, and he was also the team’s leading rusher with 541 yards and 10 touchdowns.
He’ll carry a huge piece of State’s offense against the Wolfpack, and it’ll be fun to watch him compete in maroon and white one last time.
Music City Bowl (Dec. 30)
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What’s going on at Texas A&M? The Aggies and coach Kevin Sumlin began 2015 with two highly regarded quarterbacks in Kyle Allen and Kyler Murray. They’ll face Louisville in the Music City Bowl without either of them. Sumlin spent the year juggling quarterbacks, and following the season, both announced their intentions to transfer.
That leaves A&M with Jake Hubenak at quarterback. He saw limited action during the season, completing 12 of 27 passes for 92 yards and a touchdown. Luckily, he inherits an impressive target in freshman wide receiver Christian Kirk.
Kirk was one of the top freshmen in college football, making an immediate impact. He had 70 catches for 925 yards and six touchdowns, leading A&M in all three categories. He’ll be targeted early and often by Hubenak in Nashville, Tennessee, and he should be a lock to surpass 1,000 yards for the season against the Cardinals defense.
Holiday Bowl (Dec. 30)
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Southern California had a tumultuous 2015 season. The Trojans began the year as a legit College Football Playoff candidate, but following a 3-2 start, the program fired second-year head coach Steve Sarkisian due to personal issues. Interim coach Clay Helton righted a listing ship and led the Trojans to a Pac-12 South title, earning the full-time job in the process.
The 8-5 Trojans get a chance to prove athletic director Pat Haden put his faith in the right place in the Holiday Bowl against a solid 9-3 Wisconsin team, which is also led by a first-year coach in Paul Chryst. It’s senior quarterback Cody Kessler’s final game, but he’ll be sure to get sophomore star and all-around athlete Adoree’ Jackson the ball as much as possible.
Jackson does a little bit of everything, and all of it well. He was a first-team All-Pac 12 cornerback and was also USC’s No. 2 receiver, making 24 catches for 382 yards and two touchdowns. He also added two touchdowns via punt return and will attempt to qualify for the 2016 Summer Olympics as a long jumper.
When Jackson gets the ball in his hands, he does great things with it. Wisconsin has a strong defense, but it’ll be fascinating to see how he can exploit it in San Diego.
Peach Bowl (Dec. 31)
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Florida State took a slight step back in 2015 to a 10-2 record. That’s a great year for most teams, but after three consecutive ACC championships, a BCS national title and a College Football Playoff berth, it’s a tough year in Tallahassee.
The Seminoles are a younger group, and they aren’t going anywhere on the national scene. But their Peach Bowl appearance can be credited in part to the emergence of sophomore tailback Dalvin Cook. He gave an FSU offense that struggled with consistency some extra burst. He rushed for 1,658 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Most impressively, Cook did much of this work while battling a strained hamstring and/or an injured ankle for large portions of the season. A month off should give him a chance to return to full health against Houston, and that’s big trouble for the Cougars defense. Cook is capable of scoring every time he touches the ball, and Tom Herman’s team must account for his presence or face the consequences.
Orange Bowl (Dec. 31)
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This time last year, Deshaun Watson was a spectator. Clemson’s dynamic quarterback was forced to watch Cole Stoudt run the Tigers offense against Oklahoma in the Russell Athletic Bowl while recovering from ACL surgery.
Now, Watson gets his chance to face the Sooners defense, albeit on a much bigger stage. The sophomore shook off health concerns and emerged as college football’s best quarterback this season, leading Clemson to a 13-0 record, ACC title and the top seed in the College Football Playoff.
Watson threw for 3,512 yards with 30 touchdowns against 11 interceptions, including four 300-yard games. He rushed for 887 yards and 11 touchdowns and ran for at least 100 yards while passing for at least 275 four times in Clemson’s final five games.
And he did all of it while playing virtually the entire season without his top returning receiver, Mike Williams, who was lost after suffering a fracture in his neck in the first quarter of Clemson’s opener against Wofford.
Watson is an excellent leader, and it’ll be fun to see how he responds to playing on college football’s biggest stage. Tune in New Year’s Eve and find out.
Cotton Bowl (Dec. 31)
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Alabama followed similar paths to its two College Football Playoff berths, with an early-season loss to Ole Miss followed by a long win streak and an SEC Championship. This year, the Crimson Tide hope to break an emerging pattern. A year ago, the Tide lost in the CFP semis to Big Ten East foe Ohio State. They get another foe from that division in Michigan State, a team they were last seen pounding 49-7 in the 2011 Capital One Bowl.
This should be a much tougher task, and while Alabama will lean on Heisman Trophy-winning tailback Derrick Henry, freshman receiver Calvin Ridley could be an X-factor. He emerged as one of the SEC’s top receivers, making 75 catches for 893 yards and five touchdowns. He had at least three catches in every game and had a trio of 100-yard receiving games, including 102 yards in the SEC Championship Game win over Florida.
Quarterback Jake Coker must involve Cook early and often in the passing game, and if he can do so, it might give Henry room to run against a stout MSU defense.
Outback Bowl (Jan. 1)
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Tennessee has made steady improvement under Butch Jones’ watch. A year ago, the Volunteers made their first bowl game since 2010 and finished 7-6 after pounding Iowa in the TaxSlayer Bowl. This year, they’re 8-4 and in a New Year’s Day Bowl, facing 10-2 Northwestern in the Outback Bowl.
The Wildcats have a stingy scoring defense that yields 16.4 points per game, No. 7 nationally, so the Vols offense will have to be on its best game. That means a strong effort from sophomore tailback Jalen Hurd. He has been a workhorse for UT’s offense, carrying 253 times for 1,158 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Quarterback Joshua Dobbs is also a running threat, but if Hurd can keep the chains moving and wear down the Wildcats defense, Tennessee’s hopes of leaving Tampa, Florida, with a bowl victory should increase exponentially.
Citrus Bowl (Jan. 1)
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The Citrus Bowl is a fascinating matchup of two teams that excelled under first-year coaches who squeezed everything out of the rosters they inherited. Jim Harbaugh took Michigan from a 5-7 team last year to 9-3, while Florida coach Jim McElwain led the Gators to a 10-3 record and an SEC East title in his first season in the Swamp.
It certainly helped McElwain that now-South Carolina coach Will Muschamp left him some serious talent, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Junior cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III is one of the nation’s top cover corners. This could be his final game in a Florida uniform, as he is a top NFL draft candidate.
Michigan quarterback Jake Rudock has been a steady leader, but he did throw nine interceptions against 17 touchdowns this season. He’ll target Amara Darboh (56 receptions, 703 yards, five touchdowns) in Orlando, Florida, so expect Darboh to get a heavy dose of Hargreaves. This will likely be a low-scoring affair, and if Hargreaves can generate turnovers from Rudock, it’ll be a game-changer.
Fiesta Bowl (Jan. 1)
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Notre Dame and Ohio State are national football powers, but they don’t get together often. In fact, the Fighting Irish and Buckeyes have met just five times in their history, with the last time coming in the 2006 Fiesta Bowl (a 34-20 Ohio State victory). So that makes the Fiesta Bowl a rare treat. Both programs are filled with NFL-ready talent, and this should be an excellent duel in the desert.
One of the best subplots? How Notre Dame’s offensive line will protect quarterback DeShone Kizer and slow OSU defensive end Joey Bosa. He is likely playing his final collegiate game and is one of college football’s premier pass-rushers, with excellent edge skills, explosion and strength. He had 47 tackles, 16 tackles for loss and five sacks this season.
The matchup between Notre Dame left tackle Ronnie Stanley and Bosa should be excellent. If Stanley can slow or stop Bosa, Kizer will have much more time to connect with receiver Will Fuller.
Rose Bowl (Jan. 1)
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Iowa’s rise from a mediocre 7-6 record into one of the nation’s top teams in 2015 was one of college football’s biggest surprises. The Hawkeyes finished the regular season 12-0 for the first time, and if not for Michigan State’s 22-play, clock-chewing fourth-quarter drive in the Big Ten title game, they’d be in the College Football Playoff.
While C.J. Beathard’s steady performance at quarterback played a big role, junior cornerback Desmond King anchored the defense while emerging as a star. He made 67 tackles, defended 12 passes and snagged eight interceptions. He won the Jim Thorpe Award as college football’s top defensive back and was a consensus All-American.
He’ll get another chance to put his talents on display for a national audience in the Rose Bowl against Stanford. The Cardinal won the Pac-12 title for the third time in four years, and they’re led by senior quarterback Kevin Hogan, a solid passer. If King can disrupt Hogan, it could help Iowa control do-everything back Christian McCaffrey, the Heisman Trophy runner-up, a bit more easily.
Sugar Bowl (Jan. 1)
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Ole Miss enters the Sugar Bowl with something to prove. The Rebels have boasted plenty of talent over the past three seasons but don’t have an SEC West title or 10-win season to show for it. A Superdome showdown with Oklahoma State is an excellent chance to earn a 10-win season while also erasing ugly memories of last year’s 42-3 Peach Bowl whipping at the hands of TCU.
Chad Kelly has fit in nicely as the Rebels’ new starting quarterback, throwing for 3,740 yards and 27 touchdowns. His best target has been receiver Laquon Treadwell. The junior has rebounded quite well from a broken leg that prematurely ended his 2014 season, making 76 receptions for 1,082 yards and eight touchdowns.
Treadwell has speed and big-play ability downfield, and he’ll give Oklahoma State’s secondary a major test. If Kelly and Treadwell can hook up for multiple big plays, it’ll bode well for the Rebels’ shot at a great night in New Orleans.
TaxSlayer Bowl (Jan. 2)
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At first glance, the TaxSlayer Bowl matchup is a bit lackluster. A 7-5 Penn State team faces off against a Georgia program that fired Mark Richt following a 9-3 season and will play without both of its coordinators.
But if you’re a fan of an NFL team in need of a quarterback, Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg is worth tuning in for. He has a pro-ready frame and arm at 6’4”, 228 pounds. This season, he has 2,386 yards with 16 touchdowns and five interceptions, but he has been sacked 38 times.
That’s similar to last season, when he had 12 touchdowns against 15 interceptions while throwing for 2,977 yards (and absorbing 44 sacks). Georgia’s defense, led by linebacker Leonard Floyd, will give him a challenge, but Hackenberg’s performance is worth watching to file away for spring.
During an appearance on Mike & Mike (h/t Mark Wogenrich of the Morning Call), ESPN analyst Brock Huard said Hackenberg should return for his senior season.
"If Franklin can convince him that this coordinator [former Fordham coach Joe Moorhead) will play to his strengths, and the group (of offensive players) being better around him, there is no doubt in my mind he is in better shape going back to school," Huard said.
Liberty Bowl (Jan. 2)
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Bret Bielema is building a solid program at Arkansas. After rallying for a bowl bid and 7-6 record last season, the Razorbacks got off to an ugly 2-4 start that included home losses to Toledo and Texas Tech before charging toward another bowl bid and a 7-5 record that earned them the Liberty Bowl against Kansas State.
Bielema’s offenses have been traditionally ground-based, but this season, the Razorbacks have found more balance. Behind senior quarterback Brandon Allen, they average 264.3 passing yards per game, No. 33 nationally, and 192.6 rushing yards per game, No. 38 nationally.
That’s partially due to the fact that returning 1,100-yard rusher Jonathan Williams missed the season with a foot injury, but Alex Collins has picked up the slack. He has 1,392 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns as Arkansas’ clear top rusher. He’ll get a chance to add to those totals against the Wildcats. Collins is a speedy, big-play back who should shine in Memphis, Tennessee, just across the river from Arkansas.
Alamo Bowl (Jan. 2)
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As it turns out, all Oregon needed was a healthy Vernon Adams. At midseason, the Ducks were 3-3 following home losses to Utah and Washington State. But when the graduate transfer quarterback’s broken finger healed, Oregon’s offense went to a new level.
Over the last six games, Adams has thrown for 21 touchdowns against four interceptions and passed for 300-plus yards four times. Oregon is 6-0 in that span and has scored at least 44 points in four of those wins.
The Alamo Bowl will be a matchup of high-powered offenses and talented quarterbacks, with TCU and quarterback Trevone Boykin on the other side. Both Adams and Boykin can move well on the ground and pass with aplomb. Adams could give NFL scouts something to think about in draft prep with a strong effort against a TCU defense that has struggled against fast-paced schemes.
Cactus Bowl (Jan. 2)
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Dana Holgorsen has gained a reputation as a pass-first coach with the Air Raid scheme, but this season has been a bit different. The 7-5 Mountaineers had excellent balance. Quarterback Skyler Howard had 21 touchdowns against 12 interceptions, but tailback Wendell Smallwood has been outstanding.
He has 1,447 rushing yards with nine touchdowns, averaging 6.4 yards per carry. Smallwood has eight 100-yard rushing games, including in five of West Virginia’s last six games. Arizona State’s defense is pliable; the Sun Devils allow 32.7 points per game, No. 97 nationally. If Smallwood and WVU can control the clock and keep ASU’s talented offense off the field, the Mountaineers’ chances of a win would go up.
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