The glorious bowl season is here!  35 games are out there right now, marinating in eggnog, just waiting to be slugged down by thirsty college football geeks everywhere. 

The slate begins slowly with a trio of non-BCS matchups on Saturday (spaced evenly throughout the day - thank you Pigskin Gods).  To the untrained eye, these three games might appear to be uninspiring and lackluster.  But we find something to love in EVERY game.  And there are plenty of under-the-radar college fantasy stars to sink your teeth into in these ballgames.

Here’s our take on bowl season kickoff weekend, from the cozy confines of CFG headquarters. 
 

Temple vs. Wyoming
Gildan New Mexico Bowl
Saturday at 2:00pm ET (ESPN)

This is a strangely intriguing contest between one veteran fantasy stud (Temple RB Bernard Pierce) and one up-and-comer (Wyoming QB Brett Smith).  The Wyoming defensive line is a weakness, which is great news for the Owls' backfield duo of Pierce and Matt Brown.  Wyoming pulled off an upset of Fresno State in the New Mexico Bowl two years ago (a 35-28, 2OT thriller).  Do they have the same magic in them this time around?

CFG’s Todd DeVries says:
Game Prediction: Temple 27-21
Fantasy Stud: Bernard Pierce, RB Temple
Sleeper to Watch: Chris Coyer, QB Temple

CFG’s Kevin Mount says:
Game Prediction: Temple 31-17
Fantasy Stud: Bernard Pierce, RB Temple
Sleeper to Watch: Brett Smith QB Wyoming
 

Ohio vs. Utah State
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Saturday 5:30pm ET (ESPN)

If you play in an All-120 college fantasy football format, these two teams are no secret to you.  Utah State boasts an outstanding running back in Robert Turbin, who finished 9th in the country in RB fantasy points per game (25.75). Ohio counters with one of the more pleasant QB surprises in the nation, Tyler Tettleton.  Tettleton finished the year ranked 10h in QB fantasy PPG (24.62), ahead of the likes of Brandon Weeden, Andrew Luck and Landry Jones.

CFG’s Todd DeVries says:
?Game Prediction:  Utah State 37-30
Fantasy Stud: Robert Turbin, RB Utah State
Sleeper to Watch: Alex Kennedy, QB Ohio

CFG’s Kevin Mount says:
Game Prediction: Utah State 27-24
Fantasy Stud: Robert Turbin RB Utah State
Sleeper to Watch: Tyler Tettleton QB Ohio
 

 
La-Lafayette vs. San Diego State
R&L Carriers Bowl
Saturday at 9:00pm ET (ESPN)

This contest pits two of the more underrated players in the country in San Diego State running back Ronnie Hillman and UL-Lafayette tight end Ladarius Green.  Green was CFG’s preseason No. 1 ranked TE.  He had an injury-plagued campaign, but still finished the year with 485 receiving yards and 7 TDs.  Hillman was also a preseason favorite.  He didn’t disappoint, averaging 26.67 fantasy points per game (7^th best in the nation).

CFG’s Todd DeVries says:
Game Prediction: San Diego State 41-23
Fantasy Stud: Ronnie Hillman, RB San Diego State
Sleeper to Watch: Alonzo Harris, RB UL-Lafayette

CFG’s Kevin Mount says:
Game Prediction:  San Diego State 35-24
Fantasy Stud: Ronnie Hillman RB SDSU
Sleeper to Watch: Blaine Gautier QB La-Lafayette


After Saturday, the bowl games go on a short hiatus.  We'll be back with more predictions before the games resume on Tuesday.

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