We might as well prepare ourselves for that empty feeling. Soon after Nick Saban or Mack Brown hoists that trophy we'll all look around with a confused look, like that chunky kid when the dude in the suit takes away the truck and gives him the cardboard "piece of junk."

It's always hard to say goodbye to yesterday...and another college football campaign. But this year will be especially difficult. We're not only saying goodbye to the 2009 campaign, but we're also bidding adieu to Bobby Bowden. And of course they'll be no more college football for Saint Tebow, a man who has seemingly been at Florida longer than Bobby Hurley was at Duke. He's moving on, either to some role in the NFL or a return to assist with more circumcisions in The Philippines.

So they'll be those empty weekends. Conference basketball will be underway, but as much as Dick Vitale screams and yells we know the real games are over a month away. The NFL playoffs will soon begin, but I haven't sat through one pro game this season. So they'll be some long, cold Saturdays in January. And then February will arrive, the clouds will part and everything will again be right with the world.

Thank goodness for National Signing Day.

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl

TCU vs. Boise State

Impact Fantasy Players

Boise: QB Kellen Moore, RB Doug Martin, WR Titus Young, RB Jeremy Avery

TCU: RB Joseph Turner, QB Andy Dalton, WR Antoine Hicks

Numbers to Ponder

TCU is #1 in total defense and #4 in total offense. Not a bad combination. Of course they rank 101st in net punting, so there.

Boise is #1 in total offense and fewest sacks allowed. This is a beautiful strength vs. strength battle.

Eye Towards 2010

Amazing that Kellen Moore is just a sophomore, having thrown 64 touchdowns against only 13 picks in his young career. Jeremy Avery will return in 2010, and after what he did this year, it's hard to see fellow back Doug Martin going back to defense. And every receiver of note should return for the Broncos.

Only RB's Joseph Turner and Ryan Christian are fantasy factors who will not return to the TCU offense in 2010, so we're watching two fun teams in the present while scouting for next season.

Final Thoughts

Everyone wanted to see each "little guy" get a shot at a big boy, and what does the BCS give us? A rematch of the 2008 Poinsettia Bowl. Boise and TCU just wanted a shot at the poker table, instead the "adults" told them to go play video games in the other room. Each program and college football fans everywhere deserved better.

FedEx Orange Bowl

Iowa vs. Georgia Tech

Impact Fantasy Players

Iowa: WR Marvin McNutt, QB Ricky Stanzi, RB Adam Robinson

Georgia Tech: QB Josh Nesbitt, WR Demaryius Thomas, RB Jonathan Dwyer, RB Anthony Allen

Numbers to Ponder

The Hawkeyes have lost two of their last three and are coming off an unimpressive 12-0 over the Gophers. Still this is a team that is 11th in total defense.

Georgia Tech has scored more than 30 points in each of their last six games.

Eye Towards 2010

Marvin McNutt will be an absolute beast by the team he leaves Iowa City, and it's sounding like both Thomas and Dwyer may leave Atlanta to give Sunday a shot. So guys like Roddy Jones, Anthony Allen, Embry Peeples and Tyler Melton are Jackets to watch. And even if Robinson or fellow back Brandon Wegher have big games, don't forget about the injured Jewel Hampton.

Final Thoughts

This game pits two of my favorite coaches in Kirk Ferentz and Paul Johnson. Iowa will be ready to play and Georgia Tech will be looking to make amends for last season's nightmare against LSU. Maybe not the best fantasy contest, but certainly a great football game is on tap for the Orange Bowl.

GMAC Bowl

Central Michigan vs. Troy

Impact Fantasy Players

CMU: QB Dan LeFevour, WR Antonio Brown, WR Bryan Anderson, RB Bryan Schroeder

Troy: QB Levi Brown, RB DuJuan Harris, WR Jerrel Jernigan

Numbers to Ponder

Central Michigan is 14th in scoring defense, not too shabby for a MAC team.

Troy is 117th in passing defense. Oh my.

Eye Towards 2010

There are too many uncertainties to make any predictions about next year's CMU team.

Though Levi Brown moves on, Troy will welcome back Jamie Hampton who redshirted this season while rehabbing his knee. And he'll get to work with both Harris, Jernigan and Shawn Southward. We will not see highly regarded back Greg Pratt, a freshman who is redshirting in 2010.

Final Thoughts

Normally this would be a game to overlook, however there are two Central Michigan stories that make this one intriguing. First it's our last chance to see the great Dan LeFevour suit up for the Chipppewas, a team that is again looking for a head coach. The last two coaches in Mount Pleasant have done outstanding jobs, but each has moved on to Cincy. Now interim coach Steve Stripling will take over for at least one game, and it's hard to see the defensive line coach getting a serious look for the full-time gig.

No matter who takes over CMU they'll never replace this quarterback.

Citi BCS National Championship Game

Texas vs. Alabama

Impact Fantasy Players

Texas: QB Colt McCoy, WR Jordan Shipley, RB Cody Johnson, WR James Kirkendoll

Alabama: RB Mark Ingram, TE Colin Peek, WR Julio Jones, RB Trent Richardson

Numbers to Ponder

Texas is the #3 defense in the country, and #1 against the run. Show us what you got Mr. Ingram.

Alabama is the #1 defense in the country, and #1 in pass efficiency defense. Show us what you got Mr. McCoy.

Eye Towards 2010

Texas will need to replace two legends in McCoy and Shipley. Though UT's young Garrett Gilbert will have plenty of weapons at his disposal.

Pretty scary that the Bama offense is a relatively young unit. Peek and Upchurch move on, but a whole bunch of talent returns. And though he'll be a sophomore next year, look for Trent Richardson to be an early-round selection in keeper leagues.

Final Thoughts

It'd be wise to make sure all of your fantasy players have seen action before this one, because it's likely that this one will be a defensive slugfest for much of the contest. And from a win-loss perspective I'll take the better coach and the offense that isn't so one-dimensional, and this happens to be the Crimson Tide.