The six bowl tilts below take place over a three-day span in late December, and while San Diego is the obvious top destination of the group, the Holiday Bowl may not present the most intriguing college fantasy football matchup. Because the other five games feature some of the nation's top fantasy producers. Toby Gerhart, Case Keenum, Danario Alexander, Freddie Barnes, James Cleveland, Bernard Pierce, Blaine Gabbert, Ricky Dobbs, Ryan Broyles and Derrick Washington were all among the top performers at their positions, and all except for the first three (right, Case?) will return in 2010.

We're moving closer to that glorious New Year's Day extravaganza, but do not overlook these ones bad boys.

EagleBank Bowl

UCLA vs. Temple

Impact Fantasy Players

UCLA: WR Terrence Austin, WR Taylor Embree and that's about it.

Temple: RB Bernard Pierce, RB Matt Brown, and that's about it.

Numbers to Ponder

While UCLA is ranked 39th in total defense, they only come in at #60 against the run, and this bodes well for Al Golden's ground-oriented attack.

Temple hasn't played too many powerhouses in 2009, losing to Penn State and beating Navy among an otherwise mediocre schedule. They're 19th against the run, thus the Bruins will need to throw to win.

Eye towards 2010

It's really hard to predict the future of the Bruin offense. At this point of the season we expected Kevin Prince, Randall Carroll and Morrell Presley to be giving glimpses at the future, and for some different reasons this hasn't happened. There are too many running backs, and some nice recruits are coming in for 2010. Soyou should take a look at Terrence Austin and study Richard Brehaut should he get some time against Temple, but Spring will provide a better gauge of the UCLA future.

Bernard Pierce and Matt Brown are freshmen. Watch them.

Final thoughts

There's no doubt that all intangibles rest with Temple. They have the chance to cap a very nice season with a win over a big-name program. They'll travel just a little ways to arrive at our nation's capital, where the weather will likely favor the Owls. And for the Bruins...it'll be a chance to visit the National Mall.

We're in for an ugly, low-scoring game.

Roady's Humanitarian Bowl

Bowling Green vs. Idaho

Impact Fantasy Players

Bowling Green: WR Freddie Barnes, QB Tyler Sheehan, RB Willie Geter

Idaho: QB Nathan Enderle, WR Max Komar, RB DeMaundray Woolridge

Numbers to Ponder

Bowling Green can't run the ball (114th) nationally and they can't stop it either (103rd). Good news for DeMaundray Woolridge.

Idaho can't stop the pass, ranking 114th nationally. Good news for Freddie Barnes.

Eye towards 2010 

Watch Bowling Green wide receivers Adrian Hodges, Ray Hutson or any other non-senior that catches passes. Freddie Barnes moves on, and takes about 140 receptions with him.

Woolridge and Komar move on, otherwise a whole bunch of Vandals return in 2010. Enderle has made serious strides this season, and he'll be an NFL prospect after the 2010 season.

Final thoughts

Idaho will know that Freddie Barnes is going to get the ball, and if the Vandal experience is like that of nearly everyone else, they won't be able to stop him. Barnes enjoyed the best fantasy regular season of all college football receivers, and he'll roll in this one. In fact Idaho's best chance at stopping Freddie may be running the football with the likes of DeMaundray Woolridge and shortening the game. And this will not be enough to contain the Falcon wide receiver.

Pacific Life Holiday Bowl

Arizona vs. Nebraska

Impact Fantasy Players

Arizona: QB Nick Foles, WR Juron Criner, WR Terrell Turner, RB Nic Grigsby

Nebraska: RB Roy Helu, TE Mike McNeill, QB Zac Lee, RB Rex Burkhead 

Numbers to Ponder

Nebraska, 21st in total defense, will face a real test against the balanced Wildcat attack.

Arizona has not played a defense like Nebraska's since the trip to Iowa City early in the year. The Huskers are 9th nationally, and 3rd against the run.

Eye towards 2010

Nick Foles is looking like a top-ten fantasy quarterback heading into next season, and bruising back Greg Nwoko will score a whole lot of touchdowns in the years to come.

If Husker quarterback Cody Green sees action then take note. And we really like true freshman running back Dontrayevous Robinson.

Final thoughts

It should come as no surprise that the Holiday Bowl again presents one of the bowl season's more intriguing matchups. The Holiday Bowl history is one of star-studded contests, and while this year's names aren't on par with Barry Sanders and Jim McMahon, this game has the makings of a classic...of a different variety.

Both Mike Stoops and Bo Pelini bring a defensive background, and each brings an improving unit. Look for more of a hard-fought defensive struggle than we're accustomed to seeing in San Diego. 

Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl

Houston vs. Air Force

Impact Fantasy Players

Houston: QB Case Keenum, WR James Cleveland, WR Tyron Carrier, WR L.J. Castile, RB Bryce Beall, WR Patrick Edwards, RB Charles Sims

Air Force: RB Jared Tew, RB Asher Clark

Numbers to Ponder

Houston absolutely cannot stop the run (112th), thus Tew and Clark are very inviting bowl season starts.

Air Force is #1, yes #1, against the pass. This is strength vs. strength (Houston #1 winging it) but the Falcons haven't seen the likes of Keenum & Co.

Eye towards 2010

If the game gets out of control then look for Houston backup Cotton Turner. Should Case Keenum like his NFL grade then Turner should get the keys in 2010. And keep an eye on how those Cougar RB carries are divided.

Both Air Force runners return next season.

Final thought

I want to think that every bowl game will be one that includes a ton of scoring and a down-to-the-wire finish. But this one just looks like a Cougar explosion, like last call on a Friday night. Yes, Air Force is #1 against the pass, but as mentioned above, Houston is a different animal entirely.

Brut Sun Bowl

Oklahoma vs. Stanford

Impact Fantasy Players

Oklahoma: WR Ryan Broyles, QB Landry Jones, RB DeMarco Murray, RB Chris Brown

Stanford: RB Toby Gerhart, Andrew Luck/Tavita Pritchard, WR Ryan Whalen

Numbers to Ponder

The Sooners' 7th ranked run defense will be ready to go against Touchdown Toby. Only Texas Tech truly shredded the Oklahoma defense.

Stanford is 105th against the pass, so Landry Jones will have his shot to post huge numbers. Can he get it done?

Eye Towards 2010

Landry Jones hasn't sealed up the starting job in 2010. A poor performance could see youngster Drew Allen really get a look. And young Blake Bell will soon join the fray. Jermie Calhoun appears next in line at tailback, and if DeMarco says adios then Calhoun will have some real value next draft day.

Any discussion of the nation's top young quarterbacks must include Andrew Luck, so hopefully the youngster will be able to play following the injury to his right finger. Freshman running back Stepfan Taylor appears to have a bright future, and some guy named Gerhart appears poised to take his act to Sundays.

Final Thought

If you had told Stanford that they'd be playing the Sooners in a bowl this year then there would've been some serious excitement in Palo Alto. Alas it's just the Sun Bowl, but it's a shot to make a statement against one of the nation's premier programs. Gerhart's presence makes this a must-see, but there is a whole bunch of young Sooner talent that will be running around in El Paso, and owners will want to take note as a mass exodus from Norman is on the horizon. 

Texas Bowl 

Navy vs. Missouri

Impact Fantasy Players

Navy: QB Ricky Dobbs, RB Vince Murray

Missouri: WR Danario Alexander, QB Blaine Gabbert, RB Derrick Washington

Numbers to Ponder

Navy has seen its share of talented opponents yet still ranks 20th in scoring defense. Experience against SMU and Notre Dame will be helpful against the explosive Tigers of Mizzou.

Missouri is 12th against the run; I don't think Navy will be changing its scheme even in light of this information. Another case of strength vs. strength here. 

Eye towards 2010

Watch Blaine Gabbert and Ricky Dobbs as both will be top fantasy selections next summer. And I love young Mizzou wide receiver Rolandis Woodland.

Final thoughts

For all of the complaints about the imperfect bowl system, this is a game that presents a very intriguing and fun matchup. These are two teams that go about it in different ways, and watching each team's defense go against the opposing offense will present some real good football watching.