Bowl season starts tomorrow as three games will be on the slate for football fans. The games tomorrow lack the big, traditional college names but they still do feature some prospects the Redskins should keep their eye on come April.
Gildan New Mexico Bowl, 2PM, ESPN
Temple (8-4) vs. Wyoming (8-4)
Game Summary: This is a pretty interesting matchup between two teams that would likely never match up in the regular season. Temple may come into the game playing a more challenging schedule for the year but Wyoming has been here before. Just two years ago the Cowboys won the New Mexico Bowl in double overtime over Fresno State. Dave Christensen always has a well coached Wyoming game and this game should be every bit as close as that game two years ago. Also keep an eye on Wyoming freshman QB Brett Smith, who will likely finish the season with over 2,500 yards and 20 touchdowns.
Prospect to Watch: Temple's Bernard Pierce (6'1, 218lbs) is the definition of a workhorse. The junior has been the focal point of the Owl's offense and has already racked up nearly 1,400 yards and 25 rushing touchdowns. There is a chance he could declare for the draft, which would likely put him in the 3rd to 4th round range.
Prediction: Temple 24, Wyoming 16
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, 5:30PM, ESPN
Ohio (9-4) vs. Utah State (7-5)
Game Summary: The second MAC team of the day will be featured on ESPN as the Bobcats of Ohio take on the Utah State Aggies on the "smurf turf" in Boise. Sadly, there is no snow in the forecast and it's supposed to be a mild 45 degrees in Idaho for the game. Ohio is coming off a monumental collapse in the MAC championship game at the hands of Northern Illinois and Chandler Harnish, so it will be interesting to see how former Nebraska coach Frank Solich's team responds.
Prospect to Watch: Ohio's LaVon Brazill (5'11, 190lbs) is a primetime receiver in the high octane MAC. So far this year Brazill has reeled in 64 catches for over 1,000 yards and 10 TDs. It'll be interesting to see if Brazill climbs if he makes his way into a all-star game, but right now he's likely a 6th to 7th round pick, maybe even a UDFA.
Prediction: Ohio 28, Utah State 17
R + L Carriers New Orleans Bowl, 9PM, ESPN
San Diego State (8-4) vs. Louisiana-Lafayette (8-4)
Game Summary: Who needs the Sugar Bowl when you have the Aztecs and the Ragin' Cajuns facing off? If you like offense then this is your game in another matchup that would likely never exist in regular season play. This will be UL-Lafayette's first bowl game in over 40 years, as they snuck into the "home" bowl despite finishing behind Western Kentucky in the Sun Belt conference.
Prospect to Watch: San Diego quarterback Ryan Lindley (6'3, 232lbs) had his stock at an all-time high this time last year. Many thought he could be a Blaine Gabbert type prospect after leading the Aztecs to a hometown Poinsettia Bowl victory last year. Lindley has since regressed, but is still an interesting prospect for a team looking for a QB around the 4th round. When the offseason games and evaluation periods begin teams may find that Lindley may have the strongest arm in the draft and could be only rivaled by Robert Griffin III in his ability to stretch the field. He is certainly a prospect to keep your eyes on tomorrow, during all-star games, and into the combine. I wouldn't be surprised to see Lindley have a late surge up boards in this draft.
Prediction: SDSU 31, ULL 17
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