2022 NFL Draft: College Game Previews - Bowls

Pittsburgh 21, Michigan State 31

Game Recap Analysis

Pittsburgh vs. Michigan State; Thursday, Dec. 30, 7:00 PM ET ESPN
The Prospects:

Pittsburgh

• QB Kenny Pickett, No. 8
• LT Carter Warren, No. 77
• CB Damarri Mathis, No. 21
• DE Deslin Alexandre, No. 5
• WR Taysir Mack, No. 11
• LB Cameron Bright, No. 38
• RT Gabriel Houy, No. 57

Michigan State

• RB Kenneth Walker, No. 9
• WR Jayden Reed, No. 1
• C Matthew Allen, No. 64
• G Kevin Jarvis, No. 75
• OT A.J. Acuri, No. 76
• P Bryce Baringer, No. 99
• DE Jacob Panasiuk, No. 96
• SS Xavier Henderson, No. 3

The Matchups: Kenny Pickett is the leader to be the top quarterback prospect for the 2022 NFL Draft, and in mid-December, he was uncertain if he would play in the Peach Bowl. Pickett would definitely make the game worth watching, as will Spartans running back Kenneth Walker if he suits up. Michigan State Head Coach Mel Tucker was unsure if Walker would play in the bowl game.

Alabama 27, Cincinnati 6

Game Recap Analysis

Alabama vs. Cincinnati; Saturday, Dec. 31, 3:30 PM ET CBS
The Prospects:

Alabama

• OT Evan Neal, No. 73
• CB Josh Jobe, No. 28
• CB Jalyn Armour-Davis, No. 22
• WR John Metchie III, No. 8
• WR Jameson Williams, No. 1
• TE Cameron Latu, No. 81
• LB Henry To'oTo'o, No. 10
• DT Phidarian Mathis, No. 48
• DT LaBryan Ray, No. 18
• DT D.J. Dale, No. 94
• LB Christian Harris, No. 8
• FS Daniel Wright, No. 3
• RB Brian Robinson, No. 4
• C Christopher Owens, No. 79

Cincinnati

• WR Alec Pierce, No. 12
• QB Desmond Ridder, No. 9
• DE Myjai Sanders, No. 21
• CB Ahmad Gardner, No. 1
• CB Bryan Cook, No. 6

The Matchups: There are a number of future pros going head-to-head in this game. The best draft matchup in this semi-final will be at the skill positions when either team has the ball. Crimson Tide wide receiver Jameson Williams will be taking on Bearcats cornerback Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner, and that is a battle of future first-round picks. Similarly, Cincinnati wide receiver Alec Pierce will be taking on a talented Alabama secondary led by cornerbacks Josh Jobe and Jalyn Armour-Davis. Those three could all be NFL starters very soon, so it will be great to see how they performa against each other. Ridder is mid-round-caliber quarterback prospect, and Alabama's defense will be a good test for him.

Michigan 11, Georgia 34

Game Recap Analysis

Michigan vs. Georgia; Saturday, Dec. 31, 7:30 PM ET ESPN
The Prospects:

Michigan

• DE Aidan Hutchinson, No. 97
• DE David Ojabo, No. 55
• SS Brad Hawkins, No. 2
• OLB Joshua Ross, No. 12
• OT Andrew Stueber, No. 71
• P Brad Robbins, No. 91
• WR Ronnie Bell, No. 8
• NT Donovan Jeter, 95

Georgia

• DT Jordan Davis, 99
• DE Travon Walker, No. 44
• LB Nakobe Dean, No. 17
• DE Nolan Smith, No. 4
• FS Christopher Smith, No. 29
• RB Zamir White, No. 3
• RB James Cook, No. 4
• DT Devonte Wyatt, No. 95
• LB Quay Walker, No. 7
• G Jamaree Salyer, No. 69
• P Jake Camarda, No. 90
• G Justin Shaffer, No. 54
• DT Julian Rochester, No. 92
• CB Derion Kendrick, No. 11
• QB J.T. Daniels, No. 18
• LB Channing Tindall, No. 41

The Matchups: The College Football Playoff executive board did not learn from 2015, when having the playoff games on New Year's Eve was a disaster. So a lot of fans won't be watching Georgia because they are going to New Year's Eve parties instead. There is phenomenal defensive line talent in this game, with Aidan Hutchinson and Jordan Davis having top-10 potential next April in the 2022 NFL Draft. David Ojabo and Travon Walker could be early-round, potentially first-round, picks as well.

Iowa 17, Kentucky 20

Game Recap Analysis

Iowa vs. Kentucky; Saturday, Jan. 1, 1:00 PM ET ABC
The Prospects:

Iowa

• C Tyler Linderbaum, No. 65
• CB Riley Moss, No. 33
• TE Sam LaPorta, No. 84
• DE Zach VanValkenburg, No. 97
• FS Jack Koerner, No. 28

• WR Wan'Dale Robinson, No. 1
• OT Darian Kinnard, No. 70
• DE Joshua Pascal, No. 4
• RB Chris Rodriguez, No. 24
• FS Yusuf Corker, No. 29
• NT Marquan McCall
• G Luke Fortner, No. 79
• WR Josh Ali, No. 6
• LB DeAndre Square, No. 5
• TE Justin Rigg, No. 83
• OLB Jordan Wright, No. 15

The Matchups: The prospects in this game do not have a lot of great head-to-head matchups, but it will be interesting to see how Iowa center Tyler Linderbaum handles a tough Kentucky defensive line led by Joshua Pascal. Wildcats wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson will see a quality secondary, and Robinson has had a phenomenal season. Robinson and Linderbaum could be first-round picks in the 2022 NFL Draft next April.

Ohio State 48, Utah 45

Game Recap Analysis

Ohio State vs. Utah; Friday, Jan. 1, 5:00 PM ET ESPN
The Prospects:

Ohio State

• WR Garrett Wilson, No. 5
• WR Chris Olave, No. 2
• OT Nick Petit-Frere, No. 78
• CB Sevyn Banks, No. 7
• TE Jeremy Ruckert, No.88
• DE Tyreke Smith, No. 11
• DT Haskell Garrett No. 92
• FS Josh Proctor, No. 41
• G Thayer Munford, No. 75
• NT Jerron Cage, No. 86
• LB Dallas Gant, No. 19
• CB Marcus Williamson
• DE Tyler Friday, No. 54
• DT Antwuan Jackson, No. 52
• CB Demario McCall, No. 1
• LB Teradja Mitchell, No. 3
• DE Zach Harrison, No. 9

• LB Devin Lloyd, No. 00
• TE Brant Kuithe, No. 80
• C Nicolas Ford, No. 55
• WR Britain Covey, No. 18
• DE Mika Tagua, No. 42
• TE Cole Fotheringham, No. 89
• FS Vonte Davis, No. 9

The Matchups: It will be interesting to see which prospects decide to play in this non-playoff game. Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson could easily opt out. Utes linebacker Devin Lloyd has been phenomenal to close out the year, and he could join those two as a first-round pick next April in the 2022 NFL Draft. Even if none of those three play, there are still other quality prospects to watch.