College Bowl Picks: A Draftnik's Guide To the Games, Week Two (Dec 25 - 31)

The Bowl Season is upon us, marking the end of the college football season and the beginning of the 2011 NFL Draft season.  From a draft analyst's perspective it is a last chance to evaluate players in game action against quality competition.  In the case of some of the non-BCS conference teams it is a chance to watch these players perform live for the first time this season.  To help you navigate the record 35 bowl games this season, the staff of NFL Draft 101 is taking a look at each of the bowl games from a draftnik point of view (A three-part series followed by game previews of the five BCS Bowls).

Little Caesars Pizza Bowl: Florida International vs. Toledo (Dec. 26, 8:30 p.m. EST) - A match-up of FIU's explosive offense vs. Toledo's opportunistic defense. Neither team features a lot of NFL ready talent with Toledo's highest rated player being C Kevin Kowalski and Florida International's is CB Anthony Gaiter neither of whom is likely to be drafted.  Two to watch for the future though are explosive FIU WR/KR TY Hilton (jr) and Toledo slot receiver Eric Page. 

AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl: Air Force vs. Georgia Tech  (Dec. 27, 5:00 p.m. EST) - The nation's top two rushing attacks battle for the title of best option attack.  As expected Air Force does not feature NFL prospects but its coach Troy Calhoun has been linked to the Denver Broncos open job and numerous other college openings.  After losing several top performers including 2010 first rounders Derrick Morgan (DE) and Demaryius Thomas (WR), Georgia Tech has struggled to find its way this season.  The team's top prospect is powerful RB Anthony Allen.  ILB Brad Jefferson has a chance to make a name for himself as he tries to spearhead the Yellow Jackets' run defense.

Champs Sports Bowl: NC State vs. West Virginia  (Dec. 28, 6:30 p.m. EST) - Draftnik  Match-up Watch: Mountaineer Speed back Noel Devine  vs. Wolfpack ILB Nate Irving.  Another match-up to watch is West Virginia S Robert Sands and CB Brandon Hogan against spurt-able NC State QB Russell Wilson.  Others to watch:  TE George Bryan (NCSU), and WR Jock Sanders (WVU).

Insight Bowl: Iowa vs. Missouri (Dec. 28, 10 p.m. EST)  - One of the best non-BCS match-ups in terms of draft prospects.  The key match-up will be the Iowa pass rush led by DE Adrian Clayborn and DT Christian Ballard vs. Missouri QB Blaine Gabbert.  This game gives Clayborn an excellent chance to redeem himself after a 3.5 sack season.  On the other side of the ball fast rising rush linebacker prospect Aldon Smith takes on streaky Iowa QB Ricky Stanzi and play making WR Marvin McNutt.

Military Bowl: Maryland vs. East Carolina (Dec. 29, 2:30 p.m. EST) - Maryland WR Torrey Smith is the top receiver in the country that no one is talking about.  He is not a big name like AJ Green, Julio Jones, Jonathan Baldwin, Justin Blackmon, Michael Floyd and Ryan Broyles but if he declares he would likely get drafted ahead of at least one of them.  A playmaker with above average size and excellent speed, Smith has four games this season with 149+ yards.  Speaking of underrated WR keep an eye on Pirate senior Dwayne Harris.  He is not the play maker Smith is but is a complete receiver with good hands and route running ability.  Others to watch: ILB Alex Wujciak (Mary).

Texas Bowl: Baylor vs. Illinois (Dec. 29, 6:00 p.m. EST) - Junior Baylor QB Robert Griffin is one of the most exciting players in college football whom most people have not seen.  He is a tremendous athlete with good size and underrated passing skills (66% completion, 21:8 TD to INT ratio).  The fact Baylor is playing in a bowl game is a testament to his talent.   On the other side of the ball keep an eye on the match-up of Illinois RB Mikel Leshoure vs. Baylor's mountain of a defensive tackle Phil Taylor (350 lb).  Others to watch: Illinois DT Corey Luiget. 

Valero Alamo Bowl: Arizona vs. Oklahoma State (Dec. 29, 9:15 p.m. EST) - Oklahoma State features a talented trio of draft eligibles in WR Justin Blackmon(so), RB Kendall Hunter (sr) and QB Brandon Weedon (jr).  Of the group Blackmon has the first round pedigree but Hunter is the player with the most to prove as the undersized  play maker goes against a strong Arizona run defense.  For Arizona keep an eye on rising QB Nick Foles who will be one of the top quarterback prospects in 2012.  Underrated DEs Brooks Reed and Rick Elmore have a nice showcase going up against one of the best offenses in the country.

Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl: Army vs. SMU (Dec. 30, 12:00 p.m. EST) - Like most service academies Army does not feature NFL prospects but their option style offense will provide a contrast to SMU's fun and gun attack.  Mustangs to watch include slot receiver Aldrick Robinson and K Matthew Syzmanski.  The fact SMU's kicker is mentioned here demonstrates that while an underrated match-up of programs on the upswing the Armed Forces Bowl is lacking in NFL draft prospects.

New Era Pinstripe Bowl: Kansas State vs. Syracuse (Dec. 30, 3:20 p.m. EST) - Both running backs in this match-up of bounce-back programs will look to have their name called on draft day.  K-State's Daniel Thomas is a downhill runner with excellent vision who is generally considered the top senior running back in the country.  Syracuse RB Delone Carter is less heralded than Thomas but is a nice blend of power and speed and has seen his stock rise this season.

Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl: North Carolina vs. Tennessee (Dec. 30, 6:40 p.m. EST) - Even without DE Robert Quinn and DT Marvin Austin, the Tar Heels defense is loaded with NFL talent led by ILB Quan Sturdivant, S Deunta Williams and OLB Bruce Carter.  Two questions i am looking to answer is whether Williams is physical enough to excel at the next level and whether Carter has the instincts to thrive at weak side linebacker at the next level.   The Tar Heels talented defense will provide a good opportunity for Volunteer TE Luke Stocker and WR Danarius Moore to flash their potential for NFL scouts.  Others to watch: CB Kendric Bruney (UNC), CB Charles Brown (UNC).

Bridgeport Education Holiday Bowl: Nebraska vs. Washington (Dec. 30, 10:00 p.m. EST) - QB Jake Locker looks to rebuild his stock in a rematch vs CB Prince Amukamara and the Nebraska defense that held him to 4-20 passing earlier in the season.  A strong start here could put Locker back into the first round conversation leading into the Senior Bowl and Combine. Others to watch: OLB Mason Foster (WAS), DT Jared Crick (Neb), WR Niles Paul (Neb), RB Roy Helu (Neb)

Meineke Car Care Bowl: Clemson vs. South Florida (Dec. 31, 12:00 p.m. EST) - Clemson DE Da'Quan Bowers headlines the Car Care bowl.  He is a proto-typical 4-3 DE who has burst atop draft boards with 15 sacks and 24 tackles for loss on the season.   Despite the presence of Bowers, the player to watch is DeAndre McDaniel who ranks among the most talented safeties in this year's class but needs to display more physicality against the run.  Other prospects to watch include: DT Terrell McClain (USF), OT Chris Hairston (Clem), DT Jarvis Jenkins (Clem).

Hyundai Sun Bowl: Notre Dame vs. Miami (FL) (Dec. 31, 2:00 p.m. EST) - A rematch of the old Coaches vs. Convicts rivalry features a marquee draftnik match-up of Notre Dame's big play receiver Michael Floyd vs. Miami cover corner Brandon Harris in a battle of possible first round picks.  Others to watch: DE Allen Bailey (Mia), WR Leonard Hankerson (Mia), OLB Colin McCarthy (Mia), NT Ian Williams (ND), OG Chris Stewart (ND)

AutoZone Liberty Bowl: Georgia vs. Central Florida (Dec. 31, 3:30 p.m. EST) - Georgia's potent offense goes up against one of the most underrated defenses in the country in UCF.  Everyone knows about talented WR AJ Green (#1 draft eligible wide receiver) but keep an eye on the trench battle between Georgia's senior laden offensive line led by OT Clint Boling against UCF's defensive end tandem of Bruce Miller and Darius Nall. Another player to watch is Georgia OLB Justin Houston whose pass rush skills have made an early entry candidate.

Chick-fil-A Bowl: Florida State vs. South Carolina (Dec. 31, 7:30 p.m.) - One of the better non-BCS match-ups features numerous draft prospects for 2011 and beyond.  Injury prone QB Christian Ponder hopes to return to lead the Seminoles against a fierce Gamecock defense.  Ponder has great physical tools but has fallen into the second tier of quarterback prospects due to injury concerns.  A strong bowl game performance could provide much need momentum leading into the draft process.  South Carolina's top senior prospect is DE Cliff Matthews but the offense features two future first round candidates in WR Alshon Jeffrey and RB Keon Lattimore.   Speaking of the future keep an eye on the match-up of FSU DE Brandon Jenkins (so.) vs. USC OT Jarriel King (sr).

Chris Maier is senior editor for nfldraft101.com.  He can be reached at [e-mail].  Follow me on twitter: nfldraft101