10 teams that will take the next step after big win in bowl game
With bowl games kicking off soon, we take a look at 10 college football programs that will take the next step in 2018 after a big bowl win.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year: bowl season. And, as we gorge ourselves on college football for a month straight, we can’t help but ask ourselves how the results of each bowl game will impact the future.
Which top performers will be back next season? Which big winners will end the season on a positive note while picking up much-needed momentum for National Signing Day, offseason workouts and spring practice? Who will ride that momentum all the way into the 2018 season, and take the next step as a program?
As we explore the answers to those questions, we take a closer look at 10 programs capable of taking the next step following a big bowl win. Each of the 10 shares some similar qualities: all are capable of winning their upcoming matchups and all 10 are expected to have the same head coach in 2018. Also, though some should be more experienced than others heading into next year, and that experience might be distributed differently from team to team, all of our selections return a significant core of their current roster.
Which .500 squad will rise to become a conference championship contender? What mid-level bowl team could be a national championship dark horse? What top-10 squad made a run at a playoff spot in 2017, and will likely be a preseason favorite to win the national title in 2018?
We discuss 10 candidates, in chronological order of bowl appearance.
10. Florida Atlantic
10-3 (8-0), Conference USA Champions
Boca Raton Bowl: Owls vs. Akron, Tuesday, December 19
Oddsmakers expect FAU to beat Akron by more than three touchdowns, meaning no team in college football is a bigger favorite in a bowl game this season. The Owls are on an incredible roll, winning nine straight games, including the C-USA Championship Game while averaging 45.4 points per game during the winning streak. FAU, which entered the season with one of the most experienced rosters in the season, won just three games in 2016.
Simply put, Lane Kiffin’s first season in Boca Raton was an incredible success – and Year 2 could be even better. Running back Devin Singletary, who led the conference and ranked fourth nationally with 1,796 rushing yards during the regular season – including an FBS leading 29 touchdowns on the ground – is just a sophomore. Quarterback Jason Driskel is also expected to return, as is leading receiver Willie Wright.
Three senior starters must be replaced on the offensive line, and two of the top four receivers will also be out of eligibility, but (assuming both return for 2018) Kiffin and Kendall Briles have a strong core of returning playmakers from offense that ranked No. 9 in the nation in scoring (39.8 points per game), 14th in total offense (491.9 yards per game), 12th in yards per play (6.8) and sixth in rushing (283.2 yards per game).
And, the young defense has been pretty good as well. Led by leading tackler Azeez Al-Shaair and defensive backs Jalen Young, Shelton Lewis and Chris Tooley, who combined for 15 interceptions in 2017, the Owls are expected to return as many as 10 starters from a unit that allowed 24.2 points per game and 5.35 yards per play, both of which ranked in the top half of the conference.
With so much positive momentum, there’s a good chance FAU will enter 2018 on the short list to represent G5 teams in the New Year’s Six.