RANKING THE FBS BOWLS PART 2
We continue
our ranking of all 41 FBS Bowls here in part two. Here, we rank Bowls from 30
to 21. Among the games featured here, A game that’s rich in nostalgia, two Group
of Five conference title game losers squaring off, a feel-good story, and
perhaps the birth of what could be a fun regional rivalry. Let’s roll!
30.
Independence Bowl: Louisiana vs Houston, December 23, 3:30 ET on ESPN
Louisiana
was expected to take a step back in their 1st season without Billy
Napier and the Ragin’ Cajuns indeed only went 6-6. Houston will go down as one
of 2022’s biggest disappointments. A team many projected to be the Group of
Five’s New Year’s Six representative could only muster a 7-5 record. Quarterback
Clayton Tune will lead Houston, he threw for 37 touchdowns on the season, The
old motivation factor may come into play here, does Houston really want to be
in Shreveport to end a rough year by their lofty expectations?
29. New
Mexico Bowl: SMU vs BYU, December 17, 7:30 ET on ABC
The New
Mexico Bowl is often one of the more ridiculed bowls among those that pile on
the bowl system, but this season, at least they hit it out of the park in terms
of nostalgia. SMU and BYU played in one of the most thrilling bowls of all time
in the 1980 Holiday Bowl. BYU rallied from a big deficit and scored on a Hail
Mary at the gun. This year’s meeting could be exciting too. Both teams are 7-5
and have had their moments. SMU has of the better quarterbacks you may not know
that much about in Tanner Mordecai; he threw for 31 TDs and 3,306 yards with 10
of those touchdowns going to WR Rashee Rice. After a 4-1 start, BYU went just
3-4 down the stretch but did win their last three. Their defense wasn’t up to
usual standard, hence why they made a change at defensive coordinator with
Weber State Coach Jay Hill accepting that position. Also, it’s BYU in a bowl, that’s
the perfect enough recipe for fun and craziness.
28.
Frisco Bowl: North Texas vs Boise State, December 17, 9:15 ET on ESPN
The Frisco
Bowl pits a pair of teams who lost in their respective conference championship game
against each other. North Texas comes into this game in a bit of limbo after
the firing of head coach Seth Littrell while Boise State overcame a rough start
to salvage a solid 9-4 season. North Texas is led by quarterback Austin Aune
and his 32 touchdowns. Boise State’s top weapons are quarterback Taylen Green
and running back George Holani. Points could be in the offing here.
27. Armed
Forces Bowl: Baylor vs Air Force, December 22, 7:30 ET on ESPN
Baylor
started the year ranked in the top-10 after a Big 12 title and Sugar Bowl win
in 2021. 2022 was a different kettle of fish, only going 6-6 for this year.
Meanwhile Air Force won nine games and the Commander in Chief’s Trophy in
another rock-solid season for Troy Calhoun’s men. Baylor comes in losers of
their last three which caused a staff shakeup (DC and ST Coaches both fired).
Air Force will be led by 1,000-yard rusher Brad Roberts and are aiming for a ten-win
season.
26.
Myrtle Beach Bowl: Marshall vs UConn, December 19, 2:30 ET on ESPN
There’s a
lot of good about this game. Neat venue? Check. One team that will bring more
than enough fans to create a great atmosphere? Check. (Trust me, West
Virginians claim Myrtle Beach as their unofficial second home so there will be
plenty of green) Team that hasn’t been Bowling in forever after years of
futility? Check. Marshall vs. UConn is one of those games that makes Bowl
Season special. The Herd notched a September win at Notre Dame and come to the grand
strand on a four-game winning streak. UConn went 6-6 in Jim Mora’s first season
in charge and has brought nothing but positivity and good play to UConn
Football. Something that was sorely lacking. Should be a good one on the Teal
Turf!
25.
Guaranteed Rate Bowl: Wisconsin vs Oklahoma State, December 27, 10:15 ET on
ESPN
It was a
disappointing season for both Wisconsin and Oklahoma State. But it still looks tasty
for one major reason - the contrasting styles. Mike Gundy and the Pokes like to
score, the Badgers like to grind it out. Neither team will have their starting quarterback
as both hit the portal. But this game on the baseball field in Phoenix has had
a knack for crazy games in its past. Let’s see what happens this time.
24. Gasparilla
Bowl: Wake Forest vs Missouri, December 23, 6:30 ET on ESPN
ACC vs. SEC
in Tampa as Wake and Mizzou square off. Wake may or may not have star QB Sam
Hartman for this one while Mizzou won their sixth in the finale. One wonders
where Wake would’ve been had they finished off games against Clemson and North
Carolina. Missouri’s up and down year included losses to Florida and Auburn but
wins over South Carolina and Arkansas. Losing wide receiver Dominic Lovett to
the portal will be a big loss for the Tigers. Brady Cook will need to step up
big time for Mizzou.
23. Birmingham
Bowl: Coastal Carolina vs East Carolina, December 27, 6:45 ET on ESPN
Ah! This one
has the making of a doozy. The start of a fun regional rivalry? Maybe so!
Coastal Carolina and East Carolina should probably be playing every year
already. Now we get it in Birmingham in Bowl Season. The Chanticleers are in an
interesting predicament coming into this game. No Jamey Chadwell as he’s off to
Liberty, quarterback Grayson McCall is in the transfer portal, but oddly enough
will play in the bowl. New coach Tim Beck will be watching to see how his new
weapons will perform. East Carolina is back in a bowl, and will no doubt be
ready to go with QB Holton Ahlers leading the offense, and they may need
points, did you see the defense the last two weeks? If you didn’t, they gave up
42 points to Houston and 46 to Temple. It’s a Carolina invasion of the Magic
City. Expect fun. Hopefully this is the start of a future series?
22.
Military Bowl: UCF vs Duke, December 28, 2 ET on ESPN
Duke goes
for an improbable ninth win of the season against the Gus Bus in Annapolis. ACC
Coach of the Year Mike Elko has one of the more underrated QBs in Riley Leonard,
who threw for 391 Yards in the finale against Wake Forest. UCF lost to Tulane
in the AAC Championship and is in a bit of QB limbo. John Rhys Plumlee is
banged up and Mikey Keene hit the portal, Motivation could be a factor here.
21. Las
Vegas Bowl: Florida vs Oregon State, December 17, 2:30 ET on ESPN
Oregon State
is ranked 14th in the country and is aiming for a tenth win against
Florida in Sin City. The Gators will start Jack Miller at QB after Anthony
Richardson declared for the NFL Draft and opted out. Oregon State’s offense put
up at least 31-points in each of their last three games which included a thrilling
come from behind win over Oregon. That could be trouble for a Florida defense
which has been leaky all season. Still, an SEC Team in Las Vegas for a bowl
just sounds fun. The Gators need a win for positive momentum, the Beavers need
it to finish off a memorable season.
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