This installment finally brings us to New Year's Day. And thanks to the bowl season now nearly stretching into mid-January, we no longer have quite the overwhelming amount of college football games on the first day of the new year. But the college football diehard still has enough January 1 action to draw plenty of sighs of disgust from his better half.

There are two five-star games in this group: Virginia Tech vs. Tennessee and the Rose Bowl game between Ohio State and Oregon. Each screams instant classic.

Penn State vs. LSU is a four-star game, but only a two-star fantasy tilt. Florida State vs. West Virginia and Northwestern vs. Auburn are worth the time of fantasy owners and college fans.

And the Insight Bowl is the poster child for those that argue there are simply too many bowls.

Insight Bowl

Minnesota vs. Iowa State

Impact Fantasy Players

Minnesota: QB Adam Weber, RB Kevin Whaley, TE Nick Tow-Arnett

Iowa State: QB Austen Arnaud, RB Alexander Robinson,

Numbers to Ponder

Minnesota cannot run the ball (112th) thus the Gophers are 113th in the nation in total offense.

Iowa State is 99th in total defense, so we could see some points scored almost by default.

Eye towards 2010

MarQueis Gray and Kevin Whaley are the Gophers to watch, as Tim Brewster's future in Minny will depend on these two.

Everybody but Marquis Hamilton will return for the Cyclones, and this offense will be better in 2010.

Final thoughts

I just can't do it. I've searched for a reason to watch this one, and I just can't find it. There will be a nice chunk of Iowa State fans at this game, and good for them. However no one else will be there, and truth be told, it's hard to argue that either of these teams should still be playing.

Chick-fil-A Bowl

Virginia Tech vs. Tennessee

Impact Fantasy Players

Virginia Tech: RB Ryan Williams, QB Tyrod Taylor, WR Jarrett Boykin

Tennessee: RB Montario Hardesty, QB Jonathan Crompton, TE Luke Stocker, WR Denarius Moore

Numbers to Ponder

Though the Vols are 17th in total defense, their strength rests in pass defense. They're only 58th against the run. Taylor will have to throw it some so that Monte is not facing a one-dimensional offense.

The Hokie defense is almost a mirror image of Tennessee: great against the pass but susceptible (52nd) to the run. Tell me whether Hardesty or Williams runs better and I'll tell you who wins this one.

Eye towards 2010

The Hokies are gearing up for a national title run in 2010, and we know what Ryan Williams can do. However watch the receivers, especially Jarrett Boykin.

Crompton and Hardesty will give way to Nick Stephens and Bryce Brown in 2010. And both could be SEC fantasy stars.

Final thoughts

This is a great matchup of two of the country's top defensive coordinators. Monte Kiffin and Bud Foster will have their boys ready to stop the other team's top back. And because there's a very good chance that Hardesty and Wiliams cancel each other out, this one will come down to which quarterback makes more plays, be it with his arm (Crompton) or his legs (Taylor).

Outback Bowl

Auburn vs. Northwestern

Impact Fantasy Players

Auburn: RB Ben Tate, WR Darvin Adams, QB Chris Todd

Northwestern: QB Mike Kafka, WR Andrew Brewer

Numbers to Ponder

Auburn's 13th ranked rushing attack is the driving force behind a top-twenty offense. Unfortunately they can't stop the run (80th) in a like manner.

Northwestern's lackluster run attack will not be able to take advantage of the Tiger defense. Kafka will need to win this one.

Eye towards 2010

Auburn's future is QB Tyrik Rollison, WR Onterio McCalebb and WR DeAngelo Benton, though only McCalebb will see a key role in this one.

Young back Arby Fields has impressed in 2009, and he could be a Big Ten factor next season.

Final thoughts

Both teams are incorrectly viewed by many as spread-em-out and wing it offensive units, when each actually wants to control the ball and eat a little clock if it can. This one will be a lower-scoring affair than many expect, with the result hinging on Kafka's performance.

Capital One Bowl

Penn State vs. LSU

Impact Fantasy Players

Penn State: QB Daryll Clark, RB Evan Royster, WR Graham Zug

LSU: WR Brandon LaFell, QB Jordan Jefferson

Numbers to Ponder

Penn State boasts a top ten defense (only allowing 11.8 points per game) and a balanced offensive attack. 

While LSU is only allowing 16 points per game, the offense (ranked 108) will leave the defense little room for error.

Eye towards 2010

All Penn State receivers (and probably both Royster and Stephfon Green) return but Daryll Clark will not. Should Kevin Newsome see some snaps then take note.

Watch Jordan Jefferson and Russell Shepard.

Final thought

This is a great matchup as opposed to a great fantasy matchup. I give the edge to the team with a senior quarterback and a healthy running game. Still this LSU squad has won ugly, and each of the three losses has been a game that was in doubt in the fourth quarter.

Konica Minolta Gator Bowl

West Virginia vs. Florida State

Impact Fantasy Players

West Virginia: Noel Devine, Jarrett Brown, WR Jock Sanders

Florida State: RB Jermaine Thomas, WR Rod Owens, QB E.J. Manuel

Numbers to Ponder

It's incredible to see a Seminole defense ranked 110th nationally. They've only been able to contain Jacksonville State and South Florida this season.

West Virginia is averaging 183 yards per game on the ground; Mickey Andrews may go out on a sour note.

Eye Towards 2010

West Virginia's Eugene Smith is next in line at quarterback. He won't play in this one, but two other building blocks (Ryan Clarke and Bradley Starks) will.

A great E.J. Manuel performance may make it harder for Jimbo Fisher to just hand the job back to the injured Christian Ponder.

Final Thought

The Bowden/Andrews swan song will be played out, however if the Noles cannot keep Jarrett Brown in the pocket and Noel Devine away from the edge then this one could get ugly.

Rose Bowl 

Ohio State vs. Oregon

Impact Fantasy Players

Ohio State: QB Terrelle Pryor, RB Daniel Herron, WR DeVier Posey

Oregon: RB LaMichael James, QB Jeremiah Masoli, TE Ed Dickson, WR Jeffrey Maehl

Numbers to Ponder

The Buckeye defense does everything well, ranking 5th in total defense. But they haven't seen an offense like this.

The Ducks bring the 6th best ground attack, so this is yet another bowl game that features a strength vs. strength battle.

Eye towards 2010

We'll miss seeing WR Duron Carter (academic issue) but we can always spend three more hours putting Terrelle Pryor under the microscope. Remember, next year he'll only be a junior.

Masoli and James will be among the top players at their positions. And we'll continue to wait for Jamere Holland.

Final thoughts

The fact that Terelle Pryor gave some consideration to attending Oregon is an interesting subplot to the Grandaddy. After watching young Mr. Pryor it's difficult to envision him playing with the fearless style exhibited by Jeremiah Masoli. And this is not a complete indictment of Pryor. It's part QB and part system.

And on the Oregon side it'll be interesting to see what role LeGarrette Blount plays in this one, because if it comes down to eating a little clock you can bet Chip Kelly will trot the big fella out and play a little smashmouth.