Each bowl game’s most important player
Cotton Bowl — Sam Darnold, QB, USC
This could be it for Darnold, and what a test he faces. Greg Schiano’s gifted Ohio State defense will give Darnold a really tough test in what may be his final collegiate game. NFL scouts will no doubt want to see how the USC quarterback handles a talented defense run by a former NFL head coach. If Darnold plays well here, USC is probably able to overcome Ohio State and finish the season an impressive 12-2.
Taxslayer Bowl — Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
There’s a case to be made that Jackson was even better this season than he was when he won the Heisman. Unfortunately for him, Louisville struggled and Baker Mayfield happened, but he can hold his head high. The junior was responsible for 42 total touchdowns this season, and he has a point to prove. He’s somewhat of a forgotten man and his performance in last year’s Citrus Bowl was not one to remember. If he does go pro, he’ll want to do it coming off a big game against a tough defense.
Liberty Bowl — Riley Ferguson, QB, Memphis
It was thanks to Ferguson that Memphis was able to go toe-to-toe with unbeaten UCF for the AAC title. Though Memphis ultimately fell just short, the quarterback still has much to be proud of. He’ll almost certainly surpass 4,000 yards in this game, and his 36-9 touchdown-to-interception ratio is extremely impressive. The senior has forged a strong connection with wide receiver Anthony Miller, and they’ll want to work in tandem one last time to win this bowl game.
Fiesta Bowl — Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
Despite the fact that he’ll probably be a top-five draft pick, Barkley has committed to playing in this game, and we’ll all be better off for it. It looked like he could have won the Heisman, and while he and Penn State faded down the stretch, it’s still the last chance we’ll get to see one of the most gifted running backs in recent memory grace the college game. Barkley racked up 16 touchdowns and over 1,000 yards rushing. After what he did last season, this year was almost a disappointment.
Orange Bowl — Malik Rosier, QB, Miami
After two awful games — and nearly losing his job — Rosier’s confidence looks a bit dented. Things won’t get any easier for him against one of the country’s meaner defenses in Wisconsin, either. It’s easy to lose sight of the fact that Rosier threw for 2,908 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2017, and he was a factor in many of their big wins, including the one over Notre Dame. He’ll be fighting for his job next year, so his performance here is a big deal.
Outback Bowl — Brandon Peters, QB, Michigan
The main thing that has held Jim Harbaugh’s Wolverines back since his arrival has been a lack of a quarterback. Wilton Speight and John O’Korn have not been the answer, so the freshman Peters was the next man up. He missed Michigan’s last two games with a concussion, but he’s likely to be back here. With major competition looming, Peters will want a good performance in the bowl. The freshman will want to get his confidence up as he prepares to fight for his job.
Peach Bowl — Kerryon Johnson, RB, Auburn
Johnson’s health is a wildcard here, as he went down with a shoulder injury in the Iron Bowl. He played through it in the SEC Championship, but wasn’t a huge part of the offense. Presuming he plays here, he’ll be a handful for UCF, who won’t have faced a back like this all season. His 1,320 yards and 17 touchdowns were a massive part of the Auburn offense. As good as the Knights have been, they’ll struggle mightily to contain him if he’s able to play.
Citrus Bowl — Derrius Guice, RB, LSU
The talented and arguably underappreciated Guice may be headed pro after the season, though he has made clear that he intends to play in the team’s bowl game. His junior season wasn’t quite as good as his sophomore one after he replaced Leonard Fournette as the feature back, but 1,153 yards and 11 touchdowns isn’t anything to sneeze at. If this is indeed it for him, he’s going to want to close out his college career with a big performance against Notre Dame.
Rose Bowl — Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
It’s simple — if Mayfield plays as well as he is capable of in this game, the Sooners will win and advance to the College Football Playoff final. The runaway Heisman Trophy winner will look to add to his 41 touchdowns and 4,340 yards against a Georgia team that has been excellent all season bar one game. Mayfield won’t be put off — he’s beaten excellent teams all season long, even walking into Ohio State and putting on a show. Oklahoma will go as far as he can take them. That’s been pretty far.
Sugar Bowl — Kelly Bryant, QB, Clemson
Clemson comes in as the favorite this year in terms of the rankings, but it feels strange for Alabama to be the underdog in any game. Their defense will be ready for this one, meaning Clemson quarterback Bryant — leading the team for the first time into an environment like this — will have to be at the very top of his game. He’s thrown for 2,678 yards and 13 touchdowns and has handled every challenge with aplomb, but he hasn’t really been a big play quarterback. Alabama’s defense will only make that tougher. Clemson will need a big game out of him.
