Mel & Todd's guide to the bowls: Most intriguing NFL prospects in every game

College football's bowl season is finally here, and plenty of NFL talent evaluators will be watching to see how some of the top prospects perform. Here are the names to know from every bowl game, as the countdown to the 2017 NFL draft continues.

All times Eastern; once games have been played, they'll be moved to the bottom of the story.

JAN. 2

Outback Bowl

No. 17 Florida vs. Iowa (1 p.m., ABC)

McShay: C.J. Beathard, QB, Iowa. I love Beathard's toughness and intangibles. He has been tough to evaluate this season because of marginal pass protection and underwhelming WR talent. Beathard will be tested by a Florida defense that features five of my top-34 players (OLB Jarrad Davis, DT Caleb Brantley, CB Teez Tabor, CB Quincy Wilson and S Marcus Maye).

Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic

No. 15 Western Michigan vs. No. 8 Wisconsin (1 p.m., ESPN)

Kiper: Corey Davis, WR. One of the most productive receivers in the country, Davis (6-2, 212) is a big-time playmaker and potential first-round pick. He has 318 catches for 5,068 yards and 50 touchdowns in his career, and he leads the country this season in receiving touchdowns (17).

Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual

No. 9 USC vs. No. 5 Penn State (5 p.m., ESPN)

McShay: JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, USC. Smith-Schuster showed some great toughness this season, battling through a hip injury. I'm looking forward to seeing the big, strong, physical receiver closer to 100 percent. USC CB Adoree' Jackson is another one to watch. He's one of the most explosive athletes in the county, with elite ball skills (four INTs) and return ability (four TDs).

Allstate Sugar Bowl

No. 14 Auburn vs. No. 7 Oklahoma (8:30 p.m., ESPN)

Kiper: Carl Lawson, DE, Auburn. Lawson, who missed all of 2014 with a torn ACL and missed six games in 2015 with a hip injury, is a spectacular pass-rushing talent. He had nine sacks this season for the Tigers. Let's see who wins the matchup between Lawson and Oklahoma left tackle Orlando Brown, who's another talented prospect.

Editor's note: These games were moved to the bottom of the story after being played.

DEC. 17

Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl

North Carolina Central vs. Grambling (12 p.m., ABC)

Kiper: Chad Williams, WR, Grambling. Williams has 90 catches for 1,366 yards and 12 touchdowns. He has the size (6-2, 190) and athleticism to play in the NFL.

Gildan New Mexico Bowl

New Mexico vs. UTSA (2 p.m., ESPN)

McShay: Jarveon Williams, RB, UTSA. He leads the Roadrunners with eight rushing touchdowns this season. At 5-foot-8, 196 pounds, Williams has speed in the 4.55 range and figures to be in the mix of UDFAs (undrafted free agents).

Las Vegas Bowl Presented by Geico

Houston vs. San Diego State (3:30 p.m., ABC)

Kiper: Damontae Kazee, CB, San Diego State. With 15 interceptions over the past two seasons, you won't find a cornerback who has been more productive. Kazee isn't big (5-11, 190), but pound for pound, he's one of the best defenders in the country.

Raycom Media Camellia Bowl

Appalachian State vs. Toledo (5:30 p.m., ESPN)

McShay: Kareem Hunt, RB, Toledo. I really like Hunt's competitiveness. At 5-10, 237 pounds, he lacks breakaway speed, but he runs with balance and has scored 32 career TDs. Hunt (our No. 9 RB) looks like an early Day 3 pick right now.

AutoNation Cure Bowl

UCF vs. Arkansas State (5:30 p.m., CBS Sports Network)

Kiper: Chris Odom, DE/OLB, Arkansas State. The pass-rusher really came on this season, leading the Sun Belt in sacks with 12.5. At 6-4, 230, he's likely going to play outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense at the next level.

R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl

Southern Mississippi vs. Louisiana-Lafayette (9 p.m., ESPN)

McShay: Cameron Tom, OC, Southern Miss. Tom is ranked as our No. 115 overall prospect, and he has a chance to be a Day 2 pick. A 6-3 senior, he has been a really productive player, showing good technique.

DEC. 19

Miami Beach Bowl

Central Michigan vs. Tulsa (2:30 p.m., ESPN)

Kiper: Tyler Conklin, TE, Central Michigan. Chippewas quarterback Cooper Rush had an up-and-down season, but Conklin, a junior who had 40 catches and six touchdowns, emerged as a versatile threat who can play out wide.

DEC. 20

Boca Raton Bowl

Memphis vs. Western Kentucky (7 p.m., ESPN)

McShay: Taywan Taylor, WR, Western Kentucky. Taylor's teammate, OT Forrest Lamp, is the highest-graded player in this game, but the 5-foot-11 wide receiver bears watching after putting some incredible production in his career (244 career catches and 40 touchdowns).

DEC. 21

San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl

BYU vs. Wyoming (9 p.m., ESPN)

Kiper: Chase Roullier, C, Wyoming. My No. 9-ranked center, Roullier has also played some guard. At 6-4, 313 pounds, that versatility is huge for the next level.

DEC. 22

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

Idaho vs. Colorado State (7 p.m., ESPN)

McShay: Kevin Davis, ILB, Colorado State. Davis leads the Rams with 101 tackles this season and has shown a lot of playmaking ability (9.5 TFLs and four forced fumbles). He doesn't have great speed, but at 6-2 and 235 pounds, he's a really good tackler.

DEC. 23

Popeyes Bahamas Bowl

Eastern Michigan vs. Old Dominion (1 p.m., ESPN)

Kiper: Pat O'Connor, DE, Eastern Michigan. With eight sacks and five forced fumbles this season, O'Connor, a team captain, was one of the best edge rushers in the Mid-American Conference.

Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl

Louisiana Tech vs. No. 25 Navy (4:30 p.m., ESPN)

McShay: Trent Taylor, WR, Louisiana Tech. At 5-8, 178, Taylor is likely just a slot receiver at the next level, but he's shown the ability to consistently get open. Taylor has 124 catches so far this season, 52 more than his next-best teammate.

Dollar General Bowl

Ohio vs. Troy (8 p.m., ESPN)

Kiper: Tarell Basham, DE, Ohio. Basham improved dramatically. With 11.5 sacks this season -- including two in a loss to Tennessee -- Basham (6-4, 250) is a disrupter off the edge. He'll get his chance in front of scouts at the Senior Bowl.

DEC. 24

Hawai'i Bowl

Hawai'i vs. Middle Tennessee (8 p.m., ESPN)

McShay: Jeremy Cutrer, CB, Middle Tennessee. Cutrer, a juco transfer, posted six picks and 23 pass breakups in his two seasons playing for the Blue Raiders. He needs to fill out his frame, standing 6-foot-2 but weighing just 170 pounds.

DEC. 26

St. Petersburg Bowl

Miami (Ohio) vs. Mississippi State (11 a.m., ESPN)

Kiper: Justin Senior, OT, Mississippi State. At 6-4, 300 pounds and with incredibly long arms, Senior, who grew up in Canada, looks the part of an NFL tackle physically. He's a right tackle at the next level.

Quick Lane Bowl

Maryland vs. Boston College (2:30 p.m., ESPN)

McShay: John Johnson, S, Boston College. In his two seasons as a full-time starter, Johnson has six total interceptions, and he currently ranks second on the team in 2016 with 65 tackles. Also keep your eye on Maryland CB Will Likely. He plays his tail off and can really cover, despite standing just 5-foot-7.

Camping World Independence Bowl

NC State vs. Vanderbilt (5 p.m., ESPN2)

Kiper: Matthew Dayes, RB, NC State. Dayes (5-9, 203) is one of the most underappreciated players in college football. He has rushed for 1,119 yards and caught 31 passes this season. I think he could be a third- or fourth-round pick.

DEC. 27

Zaxby's Heart of Dallas Bowl

Army vs. North Texas (12 p.m., ESPN)

McShay: Alec Morris, QB, North Texas. Not a lot to choose from in this game. Morris is a long-shot UDFA after missing seven games this season and struggling when he was on the field (53.7 completion percentage).

Military Bowl Presented by Northrop Grumman

No. 24 Temple vs. Wake Forest (3:30 p.m., ESPN)

Kiper: Haason Reddick, DE/OLB, Temple. He's not a big guy (6-1, 225), but Reddick is really coming on. He has climbed up my draft board -- he's my No. 5 outside linebacker. I'm excited to see what he runs at the combine.

National Funding Holiday Bowl

Minnesota vs. Washington State (7 p.m., ESPN)

McShay: Luke Falk, QB, Washington State. Falk is completing 71 percent of his passes for 37 TDs and 10 INTs. My No. 5 overall QB, Falk has the frame, arm and toughness you look for. On the other side, Minnesota QB Mitch Leidner has really struggled this season and will get one last shot to give NFL scouts good tape to study.

Motel 6 Cactus Bowl

Boise State vs. Baylor (10:15 p.m., ESPN)

Kiper: Thomas Sperbeck, WR, Boise State. Sperbeck is a plug-and-play slot receiver in the NFL. He has spectacular hands -- I've never seen him drop a catchable ball on tape. He has 17 touchdowns the past two seasons.

DEC. 28

New Era Pinstripe Bowl

No. 23 Pittsburgh vs. Northwestern (2 p.m., ESPN)

McShay: James Conner, RB, Pitt. This is a great matchup. Conner (our No. 7 RB) has 54 total TDs in his career. He could be a Day 2 pick, while QB Nathan Peterman played his way into the UDFA conversation with his toughness and poise this season. Northwestern has a ton of talent on defense to challenge Conner -- S Godwin Igwebuike, LB Anthony Walker Jr. and DE Ifeadi Odenigbo, among others.

Russell Athletic Bowl

No. 16 West Virginia vs. Miami (FL) (5:30 p.m., ESPN)

Kiper: Tyler Orlosky, C, West Virginia. Orlosky (6-3, 300) is so steady and so reliable in the middle of the Mountaineers' offense. I have him as my No. 4 center. He could be a third- or fourth-round pick.

Foster Farms Bowl

Indiana vs. No. 19 Utah (8:30 p.m., FOX)

McShay: Lowell Lotulelei, DT, Utah. The younger brother of Carolina Panthers DT Star Lotulelei, Lowell suffered through a midseason shoulder injury, but he has come on strong to close out the year (5.5 of his 7.5 tackles for loss came in the past four games).

AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl

Texas A&M vs. Kansas State (9 p.m., ESPN)

Kiper: Jordan Willis, DE, Kansas State. You should know all about Texas A&M pass-rusher Myles Garrett by now. He's in the mix to be the top pick. But keep an eye on Willis (6-5, 250), who could be a first-rounder with a solid Senior Bowl and combine. He has 21 sacks over the past two seasons.

DEC. 29

Birmingham Bowl

South Florida vs. South Carolina (2 p.m., ESPN)

McShay: T.J. Holloman, OLB, South Carolina. Amazingly, South Carolina doesn't have a single player in our top 220. Holloman, who's third on the team with 64 tackles, also has contributed three tackles for loss and three picks.

Belk Bowl

Arkansas vs. No. 22 Virginia Tech (5:30 p.m., ESPN)

Kiper: Dan Skipper, OT, Arkansas. Skipper is intriguing because of his size -- he's listed at 6-10, 319. You don't see many guys that tall who can move their feet and bend enough to play in the NFL, but Skipper has a chance.

Valero Alamo Bowl

No. 12 Oklahoma State vs. No. 10 Colorado (9 p.m., ESPN)

McShay: Chidobe Awuzie, CB, Colorado. Awuzie plays cornerback like a linebacker (262 career tackles), and shows really good instincts. He could be a Tyrann Mathieu-type at the next level, with experience playing multiple positions in the secondary. Awuzie will be tested plenty against Cowboys QB Mason Rudolph, who's currently our No. 8 passer.

DEC. 30

AutoZone Liberty Bowl

Georgia vs. TCU (12 p.m., ESPN)

Kiper: Greg Pyke, OL, Georgia. Pyke is a kid I saw play in high school in Baltimore. He has some size (6-6, 325) and versatility. He played guard, then right tackle this season for the Bulldogs. He's my No. 9 guard.

Hyundai Sun Bowl

No. 18 Stanford vs. North Carolina (2 p.m., CBS)

McShay: Mitch Trubisky, QB, North Carolina. NFL scouts will be watching Trubisky very closely as our top-ranked QB makes his 13th career start. He has shown a quick release and good accuracy this season, but Trubisky's lack of in-game experience will be a concern if he leaves early. Five other key offensive players will be playing their final game for North Carolina and should be drafted -- WRs Mack Hollins, Ryan Switzer and Bug Howard and O-linemen Caleb Peterson and Jon Heck.

Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl

Nebraska vs. No. 21 Tennessee (3:30 p.m., ESPN)

Kiper: Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee. Barnett (6-3, 265) has 32 career sacks -- 12 this season -- for the Volunteers. In a deep class of pass-rushers, he's in the top tier. He's No. 9 on my updated Big Board. I see him as a 4-3 defensive end at the next level.

Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl

South Alabama vs. Air Force (5:30 p.m., Campus Insiders)

McShay: Gerald Everett, TE, South Alabama; Weston Steelhammer, S, Air Force. This is a great matchup. Everett leads the Jaguars with 49 catches and is averaging an impressive 14.6 yards per catch. Steelhammer is Air Force's No. 1 tackler and has 17 picks in the past three seasons.

Capital One Orange Bowl

No. 6 Michigan vs. No. 11 Florida State (8 p.m., ESPN)

Kiper: Ryan Glasgow, DT, Michigan. Glasgow (6-4, 300) is a valuable, underpublicized defender for the Wolverines. He's as good as any college defensive tackle, and he'll find a role as a plugger in the NFL.

CFP SEMIFINALS (DEC. 31)

Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl

No. 4 Washington vs. No. 1 Alabama (3 p.m., ESPN)

Kiper: Reuben Foster, ILB, Alabama. Foster, one of my favorite players in this class, runs sideline to sideline and is a complete defender. He's a potential top-five pick and defensive rookie of the year in 2017. He and the Tide will have their hands full with the Huskies' dynamic offense.

PlayStation Fiesta Bowl

No. 3 Ohio State vs. No. 2 Clemson (7 p.m., ESPN)

McShay: Mike Williams, WR, Clemson; Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State. This game will feature 13 of our top 200 players, but I'm especially interested in the one-on-one matchup between Williams (No. 10 overall) and Lattimore (No. 8). Williams really excels at making contested catches (20 career TDs), while Lattimore has elite physical tools (four INTs, nine pass breakups).

DEC. 31

Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl

No. 20 LSU vs. No. 13 Louisville (11 a.m., ABC)

McShay: Jamal Adams, S, LSU; Cole Hikutini, TE, Louisville. One of the fastest risers in this class, Hikutini has been the go-to target for Heisman QB Lamar Jackson. Adams, a potential top-10 pick, has shown improvement in coverage and is an explosive tackler against the run. This should be a great battle.

TaxSlayer Bowl

Georgia Tech vs. Kentucky (11 a.m., ESPN)

Kiper: Jon Toth, C, Kentucky. He's a big guy -- 6-5, 310 -- who has started more than 30 college games and gone toe to toe with some great defensive tackles in the SEC. He's my No. 6 center in this class.