College Football Saturday Bowl Games: Open Thread

Intro:

Greetings Faithful! Welcome to the postseason of college football…aka…bowl-mania! With 40 bowl games, including the College Football Playoff and National Championship Game, college football fans will have plenty of holiday treats to indulge in!

Speaking of the College Football Playoff, we will have #1 LSU taking on #4 Oklahoma in the Peach Bowl. This will be followed by #2 Ohio State facing off against #3 Clemson in the Fiesta Bowl. Once again, the College Football Playoff looks promising as it features the SEC, Big 10, ACC, and Big 12 conference champions and the defending national champions (Clemson).

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Throughout these next couple of weeks, we will take a closer look at some featured prospects in each of the bowl games. Our focus will center around positions of need for the San Francisco 49ers. If you are a big college football fan or simply want a sneak peek at the upcoming prospects in the 2020 NFL Draft, be sure to check out all of our College Football Bowl Game threads!

Today we have six bowl games. Our journey will start in New Mexico and conclude in New Orleans. Even in these lower tier-bowls, there is intriguing talent worth taking note of. Let’s jump in and meet some prospects to watch in 2020!

Bowl Schedule - Saturday, December 21st, 2019

New Mexico Bowl

Central Michigan vs San Diego State

How to watch

Date: Saturday, Dec. 21 | Time: 11 a.m. PT
Location: Dreamstyle Stadium (Albuquerque, New Mexico)
TV: ESPN
Follow: CBS Sports App

Kyahva Tezino, LB, No. 44 – San Diego State
Height: 6’0” – Weight: 236 lbs.
2019 Stats: 126 tackles, 8.5 sacks, 14.5 tackles for a loss

Kyahva Tezino had himself one fine junior season. His downhill running and high motor made him a force to be reckoned with up the middle. A blitz specialist, Tezino has demonstrated his ability to put pressure and get to the quarterback. Many times on tape, Tezino can be seen blowing up a potential run, and on multiple occasions, recorded tackles for a loss. He has good, but not great athletic ability, and due to being slightly undersized, he has some shortcomings against the pass. As he transitions to the pro level, Tezino may be limited as a run-stopping specialist. However, his arrow is pointing up, and there is plenty of opportunity for growth. What I like most about Tezino is his straight-line speed and play on the ball against the run and ground game.

Cure Bowl

Liberty vs Georgia Southern

How to Watch

Date: Saturday, Dec. 21 | Time: 11:30 a.m. PT
Location: Orlando City Stadium (Orlando, Florida)
TV: CBS Sports Network
Follow: CBS Sports App

Antonio Gandy-Golden, WR, No. 11 – Liberty
Height: 6’4” – Weight: 220 lbs.
2019 Stats: 74 receptions, 1,333 yards, 9 Touchdowns, 18.0 AVG.

Antonio Gandy-Golden is not going to receive the national attention and media exposure as other top receivers from big-name programs. However, that doesn’t take away the fact that he is a dangerous, mismatch offensive weapon. Gandy-Golden has natural hands, creates yards after the reception, and is often a mismatch for opposing defenders and corners. Stays cool and focused when pressure is closing in and is willing to fight for contested jump-balls in man to man coverage. He has good speed with a little to be desired. This will be the biggest question mark as he transitions to the pro level. However, there is a lot to like about the overall package. Gandy-Golden is a small school prospect who should be on everyone’s radar.

Boca Raton Bowl

SMU vs Florida Atlantic

How to watch

Date: Saturday, Dec. 21 | Time: 12:30 p.m. PT
Location: FAU Football Stadium (Boca Raton, Florida)
TV: ABC
Follow: CBS Sports App

Harrison Bryant, TE, No. 40 – Florida Atlantic
Height: 6’5” – Weight: 240 lbs.
2019 Stats: 65 receptions, 1,004 yards, 7 touchdowns, 15.4 AVG.

You just get a sense that the 49ers are going to look to add to the tight end position. After all, the position is featured often in the 49ers offense. So, how about the John Mackey Award recipient for the best tight end in college football this season, Harrison Bryant. Bryant has a tremendous amount of athleticism, and he truly does stand out on tape and in the Owls offense. He has made his mark as a reliable big-target receiver these last two years. However, It was this past season when he put on more weight and greatly improved as a blocker. Between his threat down the seam and his ability to block on running and passing downs, Bryant is shaping out to be a well-rounded football player as he transitions to the next level.

Camellia Bowl

FIU vs Arkansas State

How to Watch
Date: Saturday, Dec. 21 | Time: 2:30 p.m. PT
Location: Cramton Bowl (Montgomery, Alabama)
TV: ESPN
Follow: CBS Sports App

Omar Bayless, WR, No. 7 – Arkansas State
Height: 6’3” – Weight: 207 lbs.
2019 Stats: 84 receptions, 1,473 yards, 16 touchdowns, 17.5 AVG.

Omar Bayless has great size and physicality for the position. Has above-average speed for the position and is a homerun threat who is capable of stretching the field. Bayless has demonstrated his ability to record receptions at all three levels on the field. He seems to be best utilized in the slot and ran many of his routes and patterns out of the slot. Bayless was averaging over 120 reception yards per game this season. Yes, there will be questions about the level of competition he played against, but still, the volume and productivity are eye-catching, and Bayless is worth keeping tabs on throughout the draft process. He could be a sneaky day three pick at a position that is absolutely loaded in 2020.

Las Vegas Bowl

#19 Boise State vs Washington

How to watch
Date: Saturday, Dec. 21 | Time: 4:30 p.m. PT
Location: Sam Boyd Stadium (Las Vegas, Nevada)
TV: ABC
Follow: CBS Sports App

Nick Harris, OL/C, No. 56 – Washington
Height: 6’1” – Weight 302 lbs.

The senior out of Washington had a productive year for the Huskies. Harris moves well for the position. He is twitchy and has great movement along the line of scrimmage. He has a great center of balance. On tape, he is outstanding in the run game, with the ability to block and create holes and running lanes for the ball carrier. There is a little concern about some measurables, particularly his arms, which are on the shorter side. However, where Harris makes up for this is his ability to hold his ground and create forward motion against oncoming defenders who rarely can push him back. The ability to play center only adds more value to his draft stock. Harris is someone to watch throughout the draft process.

New Orleans Bowl

#20 Appalachian State vs UAB

How to watch
Date: Saturday, Dec. 21 | Time: 6:00 p.m. PT
Location: Mercedes-Benz Superdome (New Orleans, Louisiana)
TV: ESPN
Follow: CBS Sports App

Spencer Brown, FB, No.4 – UAB
Height: 6’0” – Weight: 230 lbs.
2019 Stats: 527 yards, 5 touchdowns, 3.9 AVG.

Yes, I am featuring a full back in today’s spotlight of 2020 NFL Draft prospects! Look, it is clear that the 49ers utilize the fullback position, and have been quite successful with it as well. It helps that they have the best fullback in the league in Kyle Juszczyk. Could the team be looking to invest in the position? Spencer Brown’s numbers are not eye-popping, and he has bee utilized less and less throughout his collegiate career. However, what I see on tape is a player who has the vision and the ability to block and handle the ball when called upon. Brown is a late day three pick who could very well end up as a UDFA. With the position being featured more and more in the NFL, Brown could be a sneaky weapon for the team that takes a chance on Brown and has the vision to utilize him in their offense.

Who are YOU excited to see in action this weekend? Please share in the comments below!