RANKING THE FBS BOWLS PART 3
We continue
our countdown of the Bowls with Bowls 20-11. A lot of intriguing matchups and
unique situations are featured in this grouping, so, let’s continue the
countdown!
20. LA
Bowl: Washington State vs Fresno State, December 17, 3:30 ET on ABC
After a wild
up and down season, Mountain West Champion Fresno State is off to the LA Bowl
to play an under the radar Washington State team at SoFi. The Bulldogs started
1-4 and looked to have lost star QB Jake Haener for the season to injury in a week
three loss at USC. But Haener came back and so did the Bulldogs. They won their
last eight games including a triumph at nemesis Boise State for the conference
title. Wazzu had a solid year which included a win at Wisconsin and near misses
against Oregon, Oregon State and Utah. Quarterback Cam Ward is a fun watch for
the Cougars. So, if you like good QBs, the LA Bowl is your pre-Christmas treat!
19.
Duke’s Mayo Bowl: Maryland vs NC State, December 30, Noon ET on ESPN
Ah, the
Duke’s Mayo Bowl. The game that garnered headlines last year for the unique
celebration for the winning coach – a mayo bath. Dave Doeren or Mike Locksley
will be the recipient of the “honor” this season as old ACC rivals NC State and
Maryland square off in Charlotte. Maryland is led by quarterback Taulia
Tagovailoa who had a solid season, as did the Terps in general, just ask
Michigan and Ohio State, who needed all four quarters to finish the Terrapins
off. NC State had much higher aspirations prior to the season, but Devin Leary
was shaky early before his injury, Ben Finley saved the Pack late, and the year
was highlighted by another dramatic win over hated rival North Carolina in the
finale. Both teams are strong against the pass, so an interesting game awaits.
18.
Liberty Bowl: Kansas vs Arkansas, December 28, 5:30 ET on ESPN
The Liberty
Bowl provides a unique matchup in the sense that both teams are disappointed to
be here in a different way. Arkansas was highly ranked in Preseason after a nine-win
season in 2021, but completely fell off and only went 6-6. Kansas got off to a
jackrabbit start, but reality set in and they limped to 6-6. Still, Kansas
should be pleased to be in any bowl. Kansas’ defense gave up 41 points a game
in the last seven and Arkansas will look to take advantage of KU’s run defense
which ranks last in the Big 12. Two shaky defenses on display in Memphis, expect
points!
17.
Pinstripe Bowl: Syracuse vs Minnesota, December 29, 2 ET on ESPN
If you like great
running backs, then start spreading the news! The Pinstripe Bowl features two
of America’s top runners in Syracuse’s Sean Tucker and Minnesota’s Mo Ibrahim.
The Orange started 6-0 but then lost five of their last six. Minnesota has won
four of their last five games, including a win at archrival Wisconsin in the finale.
Despite the great running back battle, don’t expect a ton of points here, but a
great running back battle (provided both play) means it gets a solid top-20
spot in these rankings.
16. Texas
Bowl: Texas Tech vs Ole Miss, December 28, 9 ET on ESPN
Two teams
who will no doubt have different approaches for this game meet up in Houston.
Texas Tech looks to notch a Mississippi bowl double, if you will, having beaten
Mississippi State in last season’s Liberty Bowl. The Red Raiders ended the year
on a three-game winning streak which included an overtime win over Oklahoma (they
beat Oklahoma and Texas in the same year for the first time ever). Ole Miss was
in the top-10 in October but lost four of their last five games and limps into
Houston. Simple math (I know, you were promised no math), Texas Tech plus Lane
Kiffin equals points and wackiness! Take this one in. It could be one of the
craziest of Bowl Season!
15. Sun
Bowl: Pittsburgh vs UCLA, December 30, 2 ET on CBS
The cozy west
Texas town of El Paso provides the backdrop for of America’s best and longest bowl
games in the Sun Bowl. Proud programs Pittsburgh and UCLA make the voyage to
the US-Mexico border this year. The Panthers won their last four while UCLA
struggled a bit at the end but still went a rock solid 9-3. The Bruins haven’t
won a bowl in seven seasons but aim to change that with quarterback Dorian
Thompson-Robinson running the show. Pitt has had their moments, too, but will
be without quarterback Kedon Slovis, who hit the portal again after just one season.
Here’s hoping for another El Paso classic!
14.
Reliaquest Bowl: Mississippi State vs Illinois, January 2, Noon ET on ESPN2
This game
has taken a dark turn after the death of Bulldog Head Coach Mike Leach. On the
field this game should be another classic SEC-Big Ten battle. Mississippi State
quarterback Will Rodgers will aim to exploit an Illinois pass defense which is the
weak spot of the team. Illinois counters with running back Chase Brown, one of
the top ball carriers in the United States who helped Illinois to a surprising
season. Expect the Bulldogs to come out fighting with full focus and a heavy
heart in Tampa on the second day of 2023. And besides, do you really think
they’ll be flat in a game played in a stadium with a pirate ship in it?
13.
Citrus Bowl: LSU vs Purdue, January 2, 1 ET on ABC
A pair of
teams who dropped conference championship games meet in the other January
SEC-B1G battle at the Citrus Bowl. Brian Kelly had an amazing first season in
Baton Rouge, highlighted by a win over Alabama, which helped propel the Tigers
to an SEC West title. Purdue survived the Big Ten West but lost coach Jeff
Brohm to his alma mater Louisville. Quarterback Aidan O’Connell is aiming to
replicate his performance against an SEC team in a bowl last year when he
torched Tennessee in the Music City Bowl. Wide receiver Charlie Jones is his
main weapon (Al DeRogatis taught him everything he knew, those of a certain age
will get that reference). A game that could provide any myriad of outcomes is
in the cards in Orlando.
12.
Cheez-It Bowl: Oklahoma vs Florida State, December 29, 5:30 ET on ESPN
Okay, I
probably do have this one ranked a bit high. I can take the criticism, but come
on, Oklahoma and Florida State in a bowl just sounds lovely. The Sooners limp
into Orlando at a disappointing 6-6 for first year coach Brent Venables and
will be looking to take any positive into 2023. That might be difficult against
a Florida State team that looks as if they’re on the way back to big time
national relevance. The Seminoles averaged 44 points per game in the last five
contests, all of which were wins. Jordan Travis will start his 2023 Heisman
campaign in this game and could have a field day against a Sooner defense that gave
up an average of 32 points per game in their last four games. Still, The
Sooners and Noles on the same field just makes you perk up as a CFB fan.
11.
Fenway Bowl: Cincinnati vs Louisville, December 17, 11 AM ET on ESPN
We can only
hope that the third time is the charm for the Fenway Bowl, because boy do we
have some spice in this one. Perhaps it’s fitting that the name of the title
sponsor for this game is Wasabi. Cincinnati and Louisville renew their rivalry
for “The Keg of Nails” for the first time since 2013… spicy. The two teams will
share a sideline during the game… spicier. Oh, there’s the small matter of
Scott Satterfield being named the new coach at Cincinnati, you know, the same
Scott Satterfield that coached the last four seasons at Louisville… nuclear spice.
Fenway Park knows a thing or two about rivalries and bad blood. The game itself
may be a mere backstory here. Hopefully now you understand why this game was one
spot away from the top-10.
