Bowl Rankings: Bowls. Just … Bowls
You had a few laughs, you killed some time, and they weren’t without their charm. In the end, though, they were bowls. Just … bowls.
30. TaxAct Texas Bowl
Texas Tech 42, Ole Miss 25
Pre-Bowl Matchup Ranking: 15
Pre-Bowl Ranking: 2021: 33, 2020: NA, 2019: 14
Post-Bowl Ranking: 2021: 38, 2020: NA, 2019: 14
The only saving grace is that it might have been the moment when America realized that a healthy Tyler Shough might just be the best NFL quarterback prospect playing college football right now. That’s only a wee bit of hyperbole, but if he looked a little like Justin Herbert it’s because he started out at Oregon and was supposed be as good or better.
He threw well, ran better, and was helped by five Ole Miss turnovers that kept this from being too competitive. This was effective over by halftime.
What Happened, Player of the Game, Fun Stats, What it Means
29. Allstate Sugar Bowl
Alabama 45, Kansas State 20
Pre-Bowl Matchup Ranking: 14
Pre-Bowl Ranking: 2021: 7, 2020: 2, 2019: 11
Post-Bowl Ranking: 2021: 29, 2020: 10, 2019: 25
It was fine for a little while. Kansas State’s RB Deuce Vaughn ripped off a big touchdown run, the team was up 10-0 and then Bama went Bama – at least how Bama was supposed to be this season.
Bryce Young was brilliant with his five touchdown passes on just 15 completions, the Tide defense started to play like it had 14 guys on the field, and the 35 straight points in the middle of the game ended the drama.
What Happened, Player of the Game, Fun Stats, What it Means
28. Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Eastern Michigan 41, San Jose State 27
Pre-Bowl Matchup Ranking: 36
Pre-Bowl Ranking: 2021: 13, 2020: 13, 2019: 31
Post-Bowl Ranking: 2021: 14, 2020: 17, 2019: 31
History will blow this off as two-touchdown win in a Tuesday afternoon bowl game in a glut of early midweek games, but it was certainly unique.
San Jose State dominated early and appeared to be on the way to a blowout, and then a blocked extra point for a two-point conversion changed everything. Eastern Michigan woke up and cranked up 33 straight points to take over in what at least was entertaining, even if it was over at halftime.
What Happened, Player of the Game, Fun Stats, What it Means
27. Pinstripe Bowl
Minnesota 28, Syracuse 20
Pre-Bowl Matchup Ranking: 23
Pre-Bowl Ranking: 2021: 25, 2020: NA, 2019: 24
Post-Bowl Ranking: 2021: 37, 2020: NA, 2019: 18
This was hardly a bad bowl game, but unless you were part of the betting public that had Minnesota giving away the points – bless your heart – there wasn’t a whole ton of drama after Coleman Bryant’s third quarter pick six put the Gophers up 21-10. The Gophers were supposed to win this, they did, and everyone moved on. No big whoop.
What Happened, Player of the Game, Fun Stats, What it Means
26. Capital One Orange Bowl
Tennessee 31, Clemson 14
Pre-Bowl Matchup Ranking: 2
Pre-Bowl Ranking: 2021: 1, 2020: 4, 2019: 18
Post-Bowl Ranking: 2021: 33, 2020: 3, 2019: 12
It wasn’t a good game, but at least it was relatively interesting. It showed how good the Tennessee offensive system is under Josh Heupel, and it showed how Clemson needs to add more parts.
It was a step back for QB Cade Klubnik that might lead to a giant leap forward for Clemson, and the energy at the game was there – it felt like a big deal – but Tennessee had this from the start and never let it go.
What Happened, Player of the Game, Fun Stats, What it Means
25. Valero Alamo Bowl
Washington 27, Texas 20
Pre-Bowl Matchup Ranking: 5
Pre-Bowl Ranking: 2021: 38, 2020:17, 2019: 13
Post-Bowl Ranking: 2021: 32, 2020: 18, 2019: 38
Who didn’t want a little bit more out of this? How about a LOT more? It wasn’t a horrible game, but with the star quarterbacks, great offenses, and questionable defenses, this should’ve been 84-81 with a gajillion passing yards. The bigger problem was that it was … boring. Texas was never really in it, and the quick score in the second half was about it for any drama.
What Happened, Player of the Game, Fun Stats, What it Means
Bowl Rankings 2022-2023
Bowls of Sad | Instant Memory Dumped Bowls
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Classic Bowls No. 8 | No. 7 | No. 6 | No. 5 | No. 4
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