CFB Player Matchup Notes: Bowl Games
Last Updated: Dec. 26
Player Matchup Notes are here to take you beyond the numbers. Looking at season statistics is great, but sometimes they overlook certain scenarios that could have a major impact on performance. Here are some of the things we look for in this weekly column:
Player Matchup – Notes if a player is facing an extremely favorable or poor matchup (ex: WR vs. a Shutdown DB)
Injury/Suspension Notes – Players missing time of note for various reasons
Split Stats – Player does especially well or poorly in a scenario they are in this week (Turf, Snow, Home/Away, etc.)
Historic Stats – Player does especially well or poorly over time in a matchup they are in this week (Vs. Team, At Stadium, etc.)
Misc. – Other information or statistics that could be pertinent to a matchup
Quarterbacks
Max Shortell, Minnesota
Shortell, who got some snaps under center for the Gophers during the 2012 season will transfer, leaving Philip Nelson at the helm for the teams bowl game against Texas Tech. Nelson is not an option in bowl formats.
Teddy Bridgewater, Louisville
Bridgewater expects to be healthy for the Cardinals for the Sugar Bowl game against Florida. Despite his stellar play in 2012, Bridgewater is not a bowl game option as the Gators possess a solid defense.
Matt Barkley, QB, USC
Barkley remains questionable for the Sun Bowl against Georgia Tech with his shoulder injury. If he cannot go, it is likely Max Wittek will start. If Barkley cannot go it will lower our pre bowl predictions for studs Marqise Lee and Robert Woods. Wittek would not be a fantasy consideration if he got the start.
Connor Shaw, South Carolina
Shaw is expected to play for South Carolina against Michigan despite a foot injury. With Marcus Lattimore out and the running game sluggish, Shaw is a sneaky option to toss a few touchdown passes for the Gamecocks.
Cody Vaz, QB, Oregon State
Despite being named the Beavers starter for their bowl game against Texas over Sean Mannion, Vaz is not an option for your lineup. If he struggles, the team will be quick to insert Mannion into the role.
David Ash, Texas
Despite being named the starter for the Longhorns bowl game, Ash is a player to avoid. There is no certainty he will play all 60 minutes, so avoid where you can.
Curt Phillips, QB, Wisconsin
Phillips will be getting the start for the Badgers in the Rose Bowl against Stanford. He is certainly not an option for your QB slot, so look elsewhere. This also means more carried for stud Montee Ball.
Running Back
Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina
If there was any discussion as to whether Lattimore would be back for the Carolina bowl game the answers came in the form of him stating he will enter the NFL Draft and would not be healthy to play during bowl season.
Mike Gillislee, Florida
Despite suffering a rub injury in the Gators huge win against rival FSU, Gillislee is going to suit up against Louisville. The Cardinals possess a solid defense, but the Gators O-Line is talented. Expect 100+ yards and a score from Gillislee in this one.
Shontrelle Johnson, Iowa State
Johnson, the Cyclones leading rusher in 2012, will miss the Liberty Bowl as he injured his right knee. He had a juicy matchup against Tulsa, but should now be left out of your lineup.
Adonis Ameen-Moore, RB, Syracuse
Moore is a touchdown machine for the Orange but he has been suspended for the teams bowl game against West Virginia, so do not use.
Lache Seastrunk, RB, Baylor
Seastrunk has immense talent but against the UCLA defense, he is a tough matchup. The coaching staff has stated they will unleash Seastrunk who did not star until the end of the regular season. Given the tough matchup we would hold off recommending him in all formats.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Damon Julian, Cincinnati
Julian will miss the Belk Bowl for Cincy against Duke with an ankle injury. Cross him off any sleeper lists for bowl games.
Jalen Saunders, Oklahoma
Saunders was recently arrested for marijuana possession and that will likely cost him an appearance in the Cotton Bowl. Cross him off of your bowl lists. UPDATE – Saunders is playing
Justin Brown, Oklahoma
Brown is questionable to play in the Cotton Bowl as he is battling a head injury according to USA Today. With Brown questionable and Jalen Saunders likely out, expect Kenny Stills to have an immense stat line.
Cody Hoffman, BYU
The Cougars stud receiver is battling a shoulder injury, and while he has a solid matchup against San Diego State, one may think he cannot be trusted in any format as one good hit to the shoulder could knock him out.
Jace Amaro, TE, Texas Tech
Amaro is a stud at tight end but has missed a lot of time at the end of the year because of an injury to his mid-section. He is certainly one of the teams top weapons and in a game they may score at will against Minnesota, Amaro is a solid play in all formats.
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Adam Mankuta is a proud addition to the RotoGrinders College Football writing team for 2012! Adam graduated Syracuse in 2003, is a NY native, and is rooting for Barkley to bring home the Heisman in 2012! His writing experience includes winning the 2007 FSWA College Football Writer of the Year award, and he was also a contributing writer for College Fantasy Football Insider. Adam contributes to the NCAA Player Notes and NCAA Weekly Top 10 columns on RotoGrinders.