Cotton Bowl Classic & Camping World Bowl: Open Thread

Greetings Faithful! Before we get excited for the College Football Playoff later today, we have two exciting bowl games beforehand to preview. Kicking of bright and early we have the Cotton Bowl Classic featuring the #17 Memphis Tigers against #10 Penn State. We also have the Camping World Bowl featuring #15 Notre Dame against Iowa State. Both games should be exciting, and offer plenty of talented prospects to watch. Let’s meet a couple of prospects to keep a close eye on this morning.

Cotton Bowl Classic:

Photo by George Walker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

How to watch

#17 Memphis vs #10 Penn State
Date: Saturday, Dec. 28 | Time: 9:00 a.m. PT
Location: AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
TV: ESPN
Follow: CBS Sports App
Line: Penn State -7.0

Prospect Spotlight:

Antonio Gibson, WR, No. 14 – Memphis
Height: 6’2” – Weight: 221 lbs.
2019 Stats: 32 receptions, 636 yards, 8 touchdowns, 11.7 AVG.

The most exciting part about Gibson is that he is a big receiver who has speed and can take the top off of a defense. Gibson is a home run threat down the field and can be dangerous in open field, fighting for yards after the reception. He has a friendly catch radius for his quarterback and can extend drives on third and long situations. In addition, Gibson can be a dangerous target within the red zone. Gibson is not a polished a receiver and is still a work in progress. However, there is enough to warrant a day three selection.

Camping World Bowl:

Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

How To Watch

Event: Camping World Bowl
Date: Saturday, Dec. 28 | Time: 9:00 a.m. PT
Location: Camping World Stadium -- Orlando, Florida
TV: ABC | Live stream: WatchESPN.com
Line: Notre Dame -3.5

Prospect Spotlight:

Chase Claypool, WR, No. 83 – Notre Dame
Height: 6’4” – Weight: 229 lbs.
2019 Stats: 891 yards, 59 receptions, 12 touchdowns, 15.1 AVG.

Chase Claypool has great size and physical traits that should transition smoothly at the next level. He has demonstrated his ability to use his size and frame to out-box defenders along the outside. Can be lined up at multiple spots along the offensive line. Can run the short, intermediate, and long routes, and will pick up speed to extend plays after the catch. While he may not have the most established route tree, he has shown growth in this area of his game. What I like most about Claypool is that he is a receiver who has an excellent blend of size and speed to go along with his strong, reliable hands. Claypool can stretch the field on long passing downs, and also serve as a red-zone threat inside the twenty.

Who are YOU excited to see in today’s Cotton Bowl Classic and Camping World Bowl? Please share in the comment s below!