rating the 37 college football bowl games for 2021-22: Rose provides as Orange, Cotton disappoint - CBS activities

The 2021 faculty soccer bowl season has concluded, and what a bowl season we got. while we lost five games because of cancellations, 37 had been still played, which is a lot more than last 12 months. As is the case each postseason, some bowls were staggering and made you desire there were a hundred greater being played. Then some made you question the purpose of the bowl gadget latest in any respect.

within the conclusion, it became a regular yr. The good news is that whereas not each online game became a thriller, there weren't a lot of blowouts. Of the 37 games performed, 14 finished as one-rating affairs whereas 11 entire with margins of as a minimum three scores. The general margin of victory changed into 13.9 aspects per video game, which is less than last yr's 14.8.

Of route, these are all simply numbers, and numbers don't seem to be as enjoyable as opinions. So let's get to the opinions. I ranked all forty two of the bowl games earlier than they have been played, so now i'll rank the 37 that have been performed. it be college football, in any case, and in college football, we rank issues.

37. Pinstripe Bowl

Maryland fifty four, Virginia Tech 10: The video game that spawned a tweet that sailed 1,000 takes. yes, when my cowl 3 Podcast co-host Danny Kanell tweeted out there were "too many bowls" and spark off a firestorm, it took place during this online game. I cannot blame Danny for feeling that method watching this, nor am i able to blame anyone else for preferring to get into an argument than watch to any extent further of this online game. Virginia Tech showed up with a skeleton coaching staff and a extremely skinny roster, and it confirmed Maryland changed into also missing plenty of participant, nevertheless it seemed like a group really drawn to enjoying football. Pregame rating: 37 (E)

36. Orange Bowl

No. three Georgia 34, No. 2 Michigan 11: there's at the least one faculty football Playoff video game each year that ends in a rout, and this year we got two. This became the worst of the duo. still, I keep this video game became near moving into a distinct path. After Georgia marched down the container and scored on its first possession, Michigan drove right returned down the box against that vaunted Bulldogs defense. Then, dealing with a fourth-and-four inside Georgia territory, Cade McNamara's flow to Erick All become just out of attain, leading to a turnover on downs. Georgia got the ball again and scored as issues snowballed. If Michigan gets that first down, I think it scores. I don't suppose the online game's effect would've changed, but I believe it will've been a lot more wonderful to monitor. Pregame ranking: 1 (-35)

35. LendingTree Bowl

Liberty fifty six, japanese Michigan 20: This was a rout in the purest experience of the be aware. Malik Willis and Liberty led with the aid of 10 on the end of the primary quarter, 23 at halftime and 39 after three. At no factor did jap Michigan seem like it will make a game of it, and it did not. The Eagles scored 10 features in the remaining 5 minutes of motion to make things look a little superior. Pregame ranking: 35 (E)

34. Liberty Bowl

Texas Tech 34, Mississippi State 7: So a lot for the Mike Leach Revenge online game. The red Raiders jumped out to an early lead towards the Bulldogs and not ever relented after deciding at once that they'd be capable of run the ball on the Bulldogs. by the point the game become over, the Raiders had rushed for 260 yards and three touchdowns whereas averaging 6 yards per raise. Mississippi State could not ever get out of its way on offense, turning the ball over 3 times and helping be certain you failed to should watch any longer than you wanted. Pregame ranking: 30 (-four)

33. Texas Bowl

Kansas State 42, LSU 20: The final bowl game of the season did not provide tons of an exhilarating conclusion. LSU changed into without roughly eleven billion players and commenced large receiver Jontre Kirklin at QB. He did relatively neatly, all issues regarded, but Kansas State become simply too respectable for the Tigers. Skyler Thompson entire his Kansas State profession with 259 yards passing and three touchdowns while Deuce Vaughn rushed for 146 yards and accounted for 4 total touchdowns. still, while the video game stunk, I should provide LSU credit score. other groups in similar instances couldn't play a bowl this season, and the Tigers had each low-priced excuse in the e-book to again out of the Texas Bowl but didn't. Pregame ranking: 27 (-6)

32. Cotton Bowl

No. 1 Alabama 27, No. four Cincinnati 6: When i was in college, I saw two guys get into a fight at a bar. neatly, at the least some of the guys wanted to get into a battle. He had been somewhat over-served, and for something rationale, decided that this other grownup had an issue with him. So the inebriated man swung at the different, unprovoked, but this different man was a whole lot better than the under the influence of alcohol one. So after evading the punch, the gigantic, docile man rapidly wrestled the under the influence of alcohol man onto the floor after which just laid on right of him. critically, he simply sat on accurate of him, let the inebriated man wear himself out, and waited for security to exhibit as much as escort the under the influence of alcohol man off the premises. I had not concept about that night and the way tough I laughed about it until I watched Alabama beat Cincinnati in the Cotton Bowl. i am not announcing Cincinnati was under the influence of alcoh ol or picked a fight it don't have. i am simply saying it felt like Alabama changed into sitting on correct of Cincinnati for a number of hours, expecting the clock to expire. Pregame rating: 2 (-30)

31. Gator Bowl

No. 17 Wake woodland 38, Rutgers 10: first off, kudos to Rutgers for taking this game on short be aware after Texas A&M changed into pressured to returned out as a result of COVID-19 protocols. regrettably, as you'll expect in a bowl video game between a team that virtually gained its conference towards a group that failed to win sufficient video games to go bowling right through the season and permitted the invitation on short be aware, it wasn't price observing for lengthy. Rutgers hung tough early, however Wake became the lots more advantageous crew and put things on cruise control within the second half. Wake's Sam Hartman accomplished his profession with 304 yards passing and three touchdowns as A.T. Perry caught 10 passes for 127 yards. Rutgers only had 276 yards as a team. Pregame rating: 9 (-22)

30. brief Lane Bowl

Western Michigan fifty two, Nevada 24: There changed into in no way any drama in this one. Nevada became devoid of most of its coaching group of workers, whereas stud QB Carson powerful and leading receiver Romeo Doubs opted out. it's going to now not come as a shock to anyone that Nevada can't come up with the money for to lose its NFL-caliber QB and nevertheless play as neatly as it did right through the typical season. The Broncos led 14-three after the primary quarter and simply saved building their lead from there as running backs Sean Tyler and Jaxson Kincaide balled out. The duo mixed for 251 yards dashing on only 31 consists of, as WMU averaged nearly 7 yards per raise as a crew. Pregame rating: 26 (-4)

29. guaranteed fee Bowl

Minnesota 18, West Virginia 6: Did you reside up late for this one? Did you regret doing so? i know I stayed up late, however I did not remorseful about it as a result of even grotesque games need love, too. And this one turned into reasonably grotesque. Minnesota gained by means of 12 aspects, however it became not ever that shut, basically. The Gophers missed a container goal on their first possession and fumbled the ball away internal the crimson zone on the subsequent. in the meantime, West Virginia had eleven possessions, and only three of them lasted greater than 5 performs. One changed into their lone touchdown force, one led to an interception and the third in a turnover on downs. The Mountaineers comprehensive the night with only 206 yards of offense, 43 yards fewer than Minnesota had rushing -- including this 2-yard bulldoze from offensive address Daniel Faalele. Pregame rating: 24 (-5)

28. Camellia Bowl

Georgia State fifty one, Ball State 20: every Christmas gathering had that one relative who kept making their means close a television to watch a school soccer video game no one cared about, and that video game turned into the Camellia Bowl. At my Christmas gathering, i used to be that person. if you have been the grownup at yours doing the same, excessive-five! I consider these groups did us a desire by no longer enjoying a aggressive online game and forcing us now not to proceed ignoring our pals and family unit. Anyway, it became a very good introduction to Georgia State QB Darren Grainger in case you did watch. Grainger threw for 203 yards, led the Panthers in rushing with 122 yards and had four complete touchdowns. Pregame rating: 38 (+10)

27. Myrtle beach Bowl

Tulsa 30, old Dominion 17: it be possible i'm overrating the Myrtle seaside Bowl just a little. You see, it become played on a Monday morning and become the best bowl online game featured that day. It gave me something to watch all the way through a time when I constantly should not have had anything else to watch, and that's the reason the form of price that can not be thoroughly quantified. So if you believe here is too excessive, it's pleasant; you simply shouldn't have an appreciation for a soccer game being there in someone's time of want. That want being "whatever to do besides what I likely may still be doing." As for the video game itself, there wasn't a good deal drama in it. whereas the first half became shut, Tulsa scored sixteen unanswered aspects between the very conclusion of the first half and the early fourth quarter to position things out of reach. The trio of QB Davis Brin, RB Shamari Brooks and WR Josh Johnson changed into too a lot for the Monarchs to beat. Pre game ranking: forty (+13)

26. Cheez-It Bowl

No. 19 Clemson 20, Iowa State 13: This become in reality a online game between the 2021 versions of Clemson and Iowa State. There was a variety of defense and intensely little offense. each yard felt like a struggle. On the one hand, it made the game suppose a lot more interesting than it basically changed into because neither team may pull faraway from the other. then again, the game felt over as soon as Clemson went up 13-three late in the third quarter. When Mario Goodrich picked off Brock Purdy for a choose-six less than a minute later, it in reality become. Of route, notwithstanding the game wasn't that interesting, it did supply us an all-time bowl sponsor mascot. Pregame ranking: 10 (-16)

25. Alamo Bowl

No. sixteen Oklahoma forty seven, No. 14 Oregon 32: First, let me provide Oregon credit for fighting back and trying to make a game of it within the 2d half. while it on no account did, at least the ducks made the 2nd half more fun to monitor as both groups traded touchdowns. The difficulty is Oregon didn't do anything else within the first half. Oklahoma jumped out to a 30-3 lead at halftime. That 27-factor deficit changed into the largest halftime deficit of any bowl online game this season. nonetheless, 79 features and over 1,000 yards of offense is rarely the worst solution to spend a number of hours on a Wednesday night, so I can not knock the online game too tons. however i'm no longer going to put it any better than this in view that Oklahoma led by way of at least two scores for 50 minutes. ok, so I might've bumped it up a few extra spots if this touchdown counted. Pregame ranking: 21 (-four)

24. Las Vegas Bowl

Wisconsin 20, Arizona State 13: no person will blame you if you admit to falling asleep all through this one. certain it became shut, and that's the reason price whatever. but hardly ever anything happened all over it. Wisconsin received with 20 features and simplest 294 yards of offense. Arizona State had best 219. And while the final score suggests it become close, Wisconsin sucked up the entire fourth quarter. critically, the Badgers finished the online game with an 18-play, 90-yard force that took 10 minutes off the clock. Arizona State punted the ball away with 10 minutes left, pondering it may believe its defense to get the ball returned, and Wisconsin simply laughed at it. The Badgers slowly salted the game away, three yards at a time. working returned Braelon Allen complete with 159 yards dashing as a result of what else may he do? he is a 17-year-ancient in Las Vegas. he's not allowed to do anything price doing whereas there except run the soccer. Pregame rating: eleven ( -13)

23. Sugar Bowl

No. 7 Baylor 21, No. eight Ole leave out 7: A video game that would had been much more pleasing if Ole omit QB Matt Corral hadn't sprained his ankle in the first quarter. once that came about, the video game became nothing however a cause to debate whether players should choose out of bowl video games. Even the broadcast appeared lost as soon as Corral left, as if they'd spent hours making ready to talk about him. When he turned into gone, they realized there turned into a video game to name. still, whereas Ole leave out fans will let you know the effect doesn't count number as a result of Corral turned into injured, i might element out that Ole pass over hadn't finished anything with Corral, both. The Rebels did not rating whereas Corral changed into within the video game, and he comprehensive 2 of 6 passing for 10 yards passing and threw a pick. The sack that knocked him out of the game changed into the third time he had been sacked in the quarter. Baylor would opt for up seven extra sacks on backup Luke Altmyer. nevertheless, my favourite stat from this video game is that Baylor QB Gerry Bohanon become 7 of 17 for 40 yards with a touchdown and an interception -- and he was the winning QB. at times I wondered if Baylor would've been at an advantage simply inserting Abram Smith (25 includes, 172 yards) in a wildcat formation. Pregame rating: 5 (-18)

22. solar Bowl

imperative Michigan 24, Washington State 21: How about these Chippewas? After Boise State turned into forced to drop out of the Arizona Bowl, vital Michigan right now pivoted to the sun Bowl to substitute Miami. now not handiest did the Chips get an even bigger bowl payout within the manner, however they picked up a win over a Pac-12 crew, too! despite the fact, issues did get just a little tense as valuable took a 21-0 lead into halftime and Wazzu spent the 2d half working its manner returned into the game. The Cougars reduce the result in 21-14 late in the third quarter, but after Wazzu failed to convert a fourth down in its territory, the Chippewas bought a container goal that proved to be the online game-winner. The Cougars scored with over three minutes left and acquired a shielding cease to get the ball lower back, however they couldn't get the rest going on their remaining possession. That capability it became crucial Michigan's Jim McElwain who obtained to spend the subseq uent three hours deciding on Frosted Flakes out of locations he did not know existed. Pregame ranking: 20 (-2)

21. Duke's Mayo Bowl

South Carolina 38, North Carolina 21: South Carolina showed up in Charlotte missing a bunch of regulars and took down a North Carolina team that turned into a 12-point favourite when kickoff rolled round. What did the Gamecocks get for it? Their educate bought a bucket of mayonnaise dumped over his head. That on my own became worth five spots in these rankings as a result of there wasn't loads of drama available. The Gamecocks led 18-0 after the first quarter, and it under no circumstances felt just like the Tar Heels have been a real risk to get again into the online game. Kevin Harris led the way for the Gamecocks with 182 yards speeding while Dakereon Joyner did everything else, throwing for 160 yards (whereas finishing all 9 of his move makes an attempt) and dashing for 64 yards. briefly, South Carolina showed up able to play and rejoice, whereas North Carolina confirmed up looking like Mack Brown begged them no longer to be doused with a bucket of mayonnaise. Pregame rating: 34 (+13)

20. Frisco soccer traditional

Miami (OH) 27, North Texas 14: This could look like a high rating for these of you who did not watch, but when you probably did watch the Frisco soccer traditional, you be aware why it's right here. It become a back-and-forth affair that noticed the lead alternate hands four times within the first half. lamentably, no longer lots took place within the 2d half. The RedHawks led 20-14 at the damage and obtained the ball to open the second half. they would ranking a landing to make it 27-14, and then nothing else happened. The final eight possessions of the video game featured 5 punts, a ignored box purpose, a turnover on downs and Miami working out the final 9 minutes of the clock with a 15-play pressure. It was a online game with a superb beginning however lacked the finish to healthy. Pregame rating: 39 (+19)

19. LA Bowl

Utah State 24, Oregon State 13: whereas it wasn't the most entertaining video game, I gave the LA Bowl a lot of bonus features for behaving as a non-prestigious bowl video game should still. it be an exhibition that is supposed to be enjoyable, and the organizers handled it that approach. that is no longer to assert there wasn't plenty of leisure. It looked like it might turn into a blowout early, as Utah State QB Logan Bonner left the online game with an injury. He changed into changed by means of Cooper Legas, who had under no circumstances thrown a flow in faculty before, and his first snap become a 62-yard bomb for six. nevertheless, Legas become not the online game's MVP. No, that honor belongs to ESPN's Laura Rutledge. no longer most effective did Rutledge pull the ultimate chum flow of keeping Jimmy Camel's hair back as he vomited off a pier (you needed to be there), however she additionally got gravy on her jacket while consuming a sandwich on the sideline and performed in the course of the stain. just an all-around gutsy efficiency. Pregame rating: 22 (+3)

18. First Responder Bowl

Air force 31, Louisville 28: if you are wondering how a 3-aspect online game like this can be ranked this low, there may be a simple clarification. yes, it be true that this online game was close and the margin became on no account enhanced than 14 elements at any aspect. that's astonishing! The difficulty is Air drive led the total game. That 14-element lead got here early within the 2nd quarter when the Falcons took a 14-0 lead. each time Louisville scored to cut it returned right down to a touchdown, Air force answered correct back with a landing of its own. It became a 31-21 game when Malik Cunningham took off for a 22-yard touchdown run to make it 31-28, but the Cardinals on no account noticed the ball once again. Air drive recovered the onside kick and ran out the last couple of minutes. It turned into shut within the conclusion, however the result was certainly not in question. what's in query is the place the Air force got this crazy juking know-how. Is it from aliens? bec ause it seems like or not it's from aliens. Pregame rating: 23 (+5)

17. Outback Bowl

No. 21 Arkansas 24, Penn State 10: There turned into a bit greater drama during this online game than the remaining rating suggests. the primary half turned into low-scoring but it changed into additionally interesting as both teams took turns taking handle after which giving it lower back. there were turnovers, ridiculous false punts and every kind of silly things that may assist make a bowl online game enjoyable. unfortunately, Arkansas scored 17 features in the third quarter to move up 24-10 and Penn State certainly not established a major problem from there. nevertheless, considering all of the avid gamers the Nittany Lions have been lacking for this game, i was pleasantly shocked with the trouble they put up for the first half-hour. but once the dam broke, there turned into no fixing it. The Hogs ran wild for 353 yards. k.J. Jefferson rushed for 110, Raheim Sanders had seventy nine, Dominique Johnson seventy seven and Malik Hornsby had 67. each person received in on the enjoy able. Pregame ranking: 12 (-5)

sixteen. Frisco Bowl

No. 24 San Diego State 38, u.s.a. 24: This turned into my optimum-ranked non-New yr's Six bowl before the games started, and while it didn't are living all the approach as much as the hype, I wasn't disenchanted with it, both. It had basically everything you wanted from a video game between two of the right community of five teams in the country, however usa could not fairly overcome the absence of stud RB honest McCormick. nevertheless, there were a number of facets scored, loads of massive plays, and despite the fact that there wasn't a good deal drama late, the online game become at all times a bit of up for grabs. The greatest shock became that San Diego State may throw the ball everywhere the container. The Aztecs don't seem to be everyday for aerial mastery, but Lucas Johnson confirmed out, throwing for 333 yards and three touchdowns while outdueling united states's Frank Harris (271 yards, two TD). Pregame rating: 7 (-9)

15. Birmingham Bowl

No. 20 Houston 17, Auburn 13: I grew up in massive Ten nation watching massive Ten soccer. i know large Ten soccer after I see it, and this was a top quality massive Ten football online game. It turned into low-scoring, shut and each groups have been in manage from time to time. Houston led 10-0 handiest to see Auburn battle lower back to take a 13-10 lead late in the third quarter. Then the Coogs put collectively an eight-play, eighty-yard landing power that ended with a 26-yard flow to Jake Herslow that served as the video game-winner. not each fun online game has to be excessive-scoring, and while there wasn't enough right here to position the Birmingham Bowl in the precise 10, I still loved it plenty. Pregame ranking: 18 (+three)

14. Peach Bowl

No. 10 Michigan State 31, No. 12 Pittsburgh 21: The total world spent so much time complaining about this video game not having either Kenny Pickett or Kenneth Walker that they doubtless didn't observe the game changed into nonetheless pretty good. truthfully, it failed to have an awful lot correct to be that interesting. I can't faux now not having Pickett or Walker -- two players who comprehensive within the correct 5 of Heisman Trophy vote casting -- superior the online game, however it failed to ruin it. definitely, issues obtained downright pleasing when Pickett's substitute, Nick Patti, injured his shoulder while scoring a touchdown and needed to leave the game. In stepped Davis Beville, and he performed smartly for a third-stringer no person expected to see. He and Jordan Addison (142 total yards) helped build a 21-10 lead after three quarters, however Michigan State took control within the fourth. A 15-yard landing move to Connor Heyward reduce the deficit to 21-sixteen, a nd later Payton Thorne hit Jayden Reed for a 22-yard ranking to give the Spartans a 24-21 lead. a couple of minutes later, Beville turned into picked off by means of Cal Haladay, who took it 78 yards to the condo to make things look a lot less closer than they have been. Pregame ranking: 4 (-10)

13. Boca Raton Bowl

Western Kentucky 59, Appalachian State 38: actually, I don't care who they're playing or what game they earn a berth into; in case you put the 2021 Western Kentucky offense in a football video game, i go to relish watching it. or not it's every offense you ever ran for your psor Xbox. The Boca Raton Bowl's final ranking is damage by way of the truth it become a 21-element online game within the conclusion, nevertheless it turned into a 21-element online game that featured ninety seven aspects and 1,247 yards of offense. Appalachian State QB Chase Brice threw for 317 yards and 4 touchdowns however changed into an afterthought as a result of WKU's Bailey Zapper threw for 422 yards and 6 touchdowns. those numbers helped Zappe set new single-season FBS records for passing yards in a season (5,967) and touchdowns (sixty two). Pregame rating: 17 (+four)

12. Citrus Bowl

No. 22 Kentucky 20, No. 15 Iowa 17: This is rarely the sort of matchup it is for every person, but I think love it changed into scheduled with me in intellect. don't get me incorrect, this become no longer a fine online game. nobody will seem lower back a decade from now and wish to inform you concerning the 2022 Citrus Bowl, however it turned into a great New year's Day bowl online game. It became shut while featuring some questionable selections and late drama. Oh, and turnovers. It featured a whole lot of turnovers, particularly from Iowa. It also featured a major efficiency from Kentucky's Wan'Dale Robinson, who could not beat Iowa whereas at Nebraska but discovered a method to do it with Kentucky. Robinson accomplished with one hundred seventy yards receiving, together with a 52-yard pickup late in the fourth quarter to deploy the online game-profitable rating. That honor went to Kentucky's Chris Rodriguez, who broke a couple of the roughly 50 billion tackles he broke in the video game en route to a 6-yard touchdown with 1:48 left. Iowa mounted a comeback attempt, but DeAndre rectangular picked off Spencer Petras to conclusion the possibility. Pregame ranking: 14 (+2)

eleven. Bahamas Bowl

center Tennessee 31, Toledo 24: Why do not we play extra video games in island locales? I imply, if a bowl game is meant to be a reward for the groups, why are we sending them to Shreveport, Louisiana, when we are able to send them to the Bahamas? the first bowl game set a nice tone for the relaxation of the season, as middle Tennessee and Toledo saved this one shut for almost the whole 60 minutes. Toledo led the game 17-14 at halftime, however the Blue Raiders took manage after a scoreless third quarter. MTSU opened the closing frame with a 17-yard landing run on the first play and would go again to the smartly with a fifty nine-yard touchdown circulate to make it 28-17 with beneath 7 minutes left. When Zeke Rankin's 35-yard box purpose split the wind and uprights with 4:34 left to make it 31-17, it became online game over. The Rockets would add a touchdown with a minute left but didn't recuperate the onside kick in a while. Pregame rating: 36 (+25)

10. Independence Bowl

UAB 31, No. 13 BYU 28: another marvelous early bowl game saw UAB and BYU going at it in, neatly, uh, Shreveport. critically, Shreveport, i am no longer making an attempt to pick on you here. you might be a gorgeous city. you're just now not the Bahamas, but you did have a better bowl video game than the Bahamas, so what would you somewhat have? splendid climate and exquisite shorelines, or a bit improved bowl video games? Anyway, UAB jumped out to a brief 14-0 lead but BYU answered with 14 elements of its own. From that aspect on, it became simply each teams changing rankings. BYU would take the lead for the primary time early in the fourth quarter when a Tyler Allgeier landing made it 28-24, but the Blazers answered with an epic drive. UAB milked over eight minutes off the clock as it went seventy five yards over 15 plays earlier than Dylan Hopkins hit Trea Shropshire for a 14-yard landing to go returned ahead 31-28. BYU moved the ball to midfield on its subsequent pressure, but Samson Nacua fumbled and UAB's Mac McWilliams (superb name) got on correct of it. The Blazers ran out the ultimate few minutes to go away eye-catching Shreveport with the win. Pregame rating: 13 (+three)

9. Fiesta Bowl

No. 9 Oklahoma State 37, No. 5 Notre Dame 35: This one changed into a rollercoaster trip of emotions. Marcus Freeman's first game as Notre Dame instruct began spectacularly for the Irish. Notre Dame jumped out to a 28-14 lead at halftime, as Irish lovers and former avid gamers alike have been in all places social media talking about how the reins had at last been taken off the offense now that Brian Kelly became long gone. smartly, I bet Kelly by hook or by crook figured out a method to position them back on at halftime since the offense stalled within the 2nd half. Spencer Sanders took the online game over and led Oklahoma State on an incredible comeback. Sanders entire with 371 yards passing and a hundred twenty five yards dashing as the Cowboys outscored Notre Dame 23-7 within the 2d half -- and that seven through Notre Dame is a little bit misleading since it got here with simply over a minute left when Oklahoma State become up 37-28. After the online game, Oklahoma State trai n Mike Gundy stated it turned into the greatest win in Oklahoma State heritage, which is a wild remark to make since all and sundry is always telling you how these bowl video games are meaningless. Anyway, as for Freeman and Notre Dame, i would accept as true with blockading the Fiesta Bowl's phone number. completely nothing respectable happens to you when it calls. Pregame ranking: 6 (-3)

eight. Gasparilla Bowl

UCF 29, Florida 17: Sorry, Florida enthusiasts, however you are going to be listening to about this loss for a very long time. Let's not forget that UCF celebrated a fictional national title, so who is aware of what the Knights will do with a Gasparilla Bowl victory over the Gators. This become an extra game that noticed the lead change arms five instances. alas, not one of the lead alterations came within the fourth quarter. The Gators did not make anything occur after Daniel Obarski's 21-yard container purpose gave the Knights a 19-17 lead late in the third. they had a chance to cut it to a one-score video game again in the fourth, however Chris Howard's forty five-yard field goal attempt neglected. a couple of minutes later, Obarski made a 33-yarder to make it 29-17, and it became all she wrote for Florida. Pregame rating: 31 (+23)

7. Potato Bowl

Wyoming fifty two, Kent State 38: If there is one ordinary theme among the games ranked this totally, it's that they have been again-and-forth affairs. The Potato Bowl is an ideal illustration. sure, Wyoming received by two rankings and there wasn't lots of doubt in regards to the result late in the video game, however it changed into wild early. The teams traded leads 3 times within the first half as Kent State took a 24-21 lead into the locker room, after which Wyoming took it appropriate lower back at the start of the 2nd half. The Cowboys would under no circumstances provide it up, as Levi Williams threw for 127 yards and rushed for 200 more with five complete touchdowns. Then Williams did anything we're likely going to look a lot of avid gamers doing sooner or later: he entered the transfer portal. The Wyoming QB that i believed would make the Cowboys a thrilling team within the Mountain West subsequent season has joined the reigning Mountain West champion Utah State Aggies. Pregame rating: forty one (+34)

6. New Orleans Bowl

No. 23 Louisiana 36, Marshall 21: The ultimate ranking does not do that video game the justice it deserves. After jumping out to a 10-factor lead within the first quarter, Louisiana obligatory a 20-point fourth quarter to come returned and stay away from the upset loss to the Thundering Herd. It was an epic efficiency by using Marshall running lower back Rasheen Ali that put the Herd in a position to win. Ali rushed for 160 yards and three touchdowns, including a sixty three-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. His third touchdown of the evening gave Marshall a 21-sixteen lead late within the third quarter, however the Cajuns begun Ragin' once again in the fourth. Louisiana had 4 possessions in the remaining frame, and the primary three resulted in touchdowns. The fourth resulted in victory formation. Pregame ranking: 15 (+9)

5. defense force Bowl

military 24, Missouri 22: So, I talked to a chum who went to Missouri after this video game concerning the tough start that the SEC changed into off to in the bowl season. My friend rapidly jogged my memory that with the SEC having two groups in the faculty soccer Playoff, the rest of the convention was pressured to "play up" in its bowl games. In other words, they were getting more difficult matchups than they'd usually get. I had two reactions to this. the primary is that an SEC fan can find an excuse for any loss, and the 2d become that it needs to be marvelous for a service academy like military to be considered as a "step up" for any SEC application. As for this online game, whereas it be always slightly of a shock to look an SEC group lose to a carrier academy, it would not have been given this matchup. Mizzou had one of the worst rush defenses within the country this season, and it played appropriate into army's arms. whereas the Knights rushed for only 211 yards in the onl ine game, they were capable of manage the clock and restrict possessions, allowing them to dangle shut and come back from an early 10-0 deficit. military did not take its first lead except early in the fourth quarter, however after Missouri scored to take a 22-21 lead with 1:eleven left, the Knights without delay drove into field aim range. Cole Talley's 41-yard boot as time expired sealed the victory. Pregame ranking: 32 (+27)

4. New Mexico Bowl

Fresno State 31, UTEP 24: significantly, the first 48 hours of the bowl season have been doubtless the optimal two days of all as a result of, apart from the LendingTree Bowl, they were all solid games (you may've observed I haven't even ranked the remedy Bowl yet). This turned into yet another example, because the Bulldogs and Miners placed on an entertaining demonstrate for us all. there were 4 lead adjustments during this game, and the biggest lead both facet had became a 26-17 Fresno lead late in the third -- a lead that lasted all of two minutes before UTEP cut it to two. within the conclusion, the online game could be selected a security when Arron Mosby sacked UTEP's Gavin Hardison. The sack forced a Hardison fumble and UTEP's Elijah Klein recovered the ball in the end zone to provide Fresno two aspects and a 31-24 lead. UTEP would drive a short three-and-out, but its next force ended with an additional fumble. Fresno ran out the clock from there. but despite the fact that UTEP misplaced, the Miners were nevertheless answerable for the top of the line play of the game once they faked a QB sneak and as a substitute tossed a 50-yard touchdown. Pregame rating: 28 (+24)

three. Rose Bowl

No. 6 Ohio State 48, No. 11 Utah forty five: Is there a further bowl online game that manages to convey absolute bangers as continually because the Rose Bowl? I suggest, now not simplest was it the host of what could've been the finest school soccer game of all time, but in the last few years alone, we have now viewed an amazing semifinal between Oklahoma and Georgia, a fun 28-23 Ohio State win over Washington, Oregon's 28-27 comeback against Wisconsin and the insanity that turned into this game. For actual, considering the 2017 shootout that noticed USC beat Penn State 52-forty nine, the common remaining margin of the Rose Bowl has been 5.8 points. that's together with final yr's "Rose Bowl" between Alabama and Notre Dame in a university football Playoff semifinal that became played in Arlington, Texas. get rid of that video game from the equation and the remaining 5 Rose Bowls were decided with the aid of 18 facets total.

This video game become comfortably staggering. Ohio State became missing a number of key avid gamers, Utah changed into with out so many starters that it needed to birth a operating again at corner, and all of it led to alluring soccer. Ohio State's C.J. Stroud threw for 573 yards and 6 touchdowns, and Jaxson Smith-Njigba rewrote the list books with 15 receptions for 347 yards and three touchdowns. The online game included a 2.5-minute stretch of video game time in the 2d quarter that noticed 5 touchdowns scored and just one from fewer than 50 yards outside the end zone. It most effective acquired enhanced from there. Ohio State did not take its first lead unless there was four:22 left within the online game, and at that aspect, you thought the game became over as a result of Utah beginning QB Cam Rising had been knocked out of the game with a concussion. but it surely wasn't. Bryson Barnes led the Utes on a fifty seven-yard touchdown power to tie the online game at forty five ear lier than the Buckeyes went 56 yards to deploy the game-successful, 19-yard box goal with 9 seconds left. It turned into a game I not ever wanted to conclusion. Pregame rating: 3 (E)

2. music city Bowl

Purdue forty eight, Tennessee forty five: there were games greater than the Rose Bowl!? Yep, and the song city Bowl become considered one of them! You see, as stunning as the Rose Bowl was, the tune city Bowl matched and surpassed it in loads of techniques. Like Utah, Tennessee developed a huge lead early, going forward 21-7 after the primary quarter. however, unlike Ohio State, Purdue did not wait except the 2nd half to begin its comeback, in its place opting to birth in the 2nd quarter. The Boilermakers outscored Tennessee sixteen-0 in the 2d to take a 23-21 lead into halftime, after which every group traded the lead back and forth a few times within the third quarter before things in fact went off the rails.

Tennessee led the online game 31-30 after three, and the ranking hadn't modified during the first 9 minutes of the fourth quarter. it really is when Purdue scored and went ahead 38-31. a bit below ninety seconds later, Tennessee scored to tie the online game at 38. Forty seconds later, Purdue scored once again on a 70-yard landing move to Broc Thompson to go again ahead 45-38. How did Tennessee reply? well, it went seventy two yards in 4 plays and eighty two seconds to tie the game forty five-forty five and drive beyond regular time. In additional time, Jaylen Wright become, or wasn't, it depends upon who you ask, stopped wanting the intention line on fourth down as the refs dominated his forward progress had been stopped. Purdue then kicked the video game-successful container goal. while the ending turned into controversial, it doesn't change the reality the online game turned into tremendously pleasing for all neutral observers. The 1,293 yards of offense the groups mixed for ch anged into the second-most usual in bowl background, at the back of handiest the 2011 Alamo Bowl (1,397 yards). Pregame ranking: sixteen (+14)

1. cure Bowl

Coastal Carolina 47, Northern Illinois 41: And so we come to the most excellent bowl online game of the postseason. i'm assuming lots of you are confused about how the remedy Bowl can rank forward of the Rose Bowl and music city Bowl, however it is just as a result of most of you likely failed to watch it. make sure to have because the 2d bowl online game of the season became spectacular. no longer handiest have been there a bunch of elements scored, but it changed into a one-score online game the entire time. The online game's greatest lead got here when Miles Joiner caught a 12-yard TD from Rocky Lombardi to place Northern Illinois forward 24-16 late within the first half. Even that deficit become brief-lived as Coastal received a box intention a minute later to make it 24-19.

not handiest turned into it a one-score video game the total time, however the lead changed seven instances. It changed into nonstop, lower back-and-forth soccer leisure. Coastal couldn't cease Northern Illinois, and the Huskies couldn't stop the Chanticleers. aside from the final possession of the half, the primary 12 possessions of the game ended with aspects, and handiest three of them ended in box dreams. When Coastal's Charles Ouverson came onto the field for the competition's first punt, he did so with handiest fifty four seconds left in the third quarter.

It got here down to the very closing play, too. Northern Illinois had the ball at the Coastal 8-yard line with 2 seconds left, but Lombardi's circulate to Joiner became stopped in need of the end zone and the Chanticleers held on for the win. Pregame rating: 19 (+18)

Bowls canceled in 2021-22: holiday Bowl (pregame rank: eight), Fenway Bowl (25), Arizona Bowl (29), defense force Bowl (33), Hawaii Bowl (42)