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College football bowl games: Ranking every 2019-2020 bowl team

By Nicholas Ian Allen

Trevor Lawrence, Clemson Tigers. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Trevor Lawrence, Clemson Tigers. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – DECEMBER 07: Central Michigan Chippewas wide receiver JaCorey Sullivan (11) escapes a tackle to make a good gain during the Miami (OH) Redhawks versus Central Michigan Chippewas MAC Championship Game on Friday December 7, 2019 at Ford Field in Detroit, MI. (Photo by Steven King/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – DECEMBER 07: Central Michigan Chippewas wide receiver JaCorey Sullivan (11) escapes a tackle to make a good gain during the Miami (OH) Redhawks versus Central Michigan Chippewas MAC Championship Game on Friday December 7, 2019 at Ford Field in Detroit, MI. (Photo by Steven King/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

60. San Diego State Aztecs, 80.63

  • Roster Strength: 80.61 (81)
  • Team Performance: 82.43 (48)
  • Head Coach Rating: 81.46 (65)

San Diego State ranked last in the Mountain West in total offense (329.3) and yards per play (4.61) during the regular season – marks that ranked No. 115 and No. 123 in the country, respectively. The Aztecs were also forced to turn to backup quarterback Carson Baker to make his first career start in the regular-season finale against BYU.

No matter. Thanks to a defense that suffocated opponents for a conference-best 288.7 yards allowed per game, head coach Rocky Long led San Diego State to a 13-3 win over BYU, a 9-3 record and a spot against Central Michigan in the New Mexico Bowl.

59. Central Michigan Chippewas, 80.58

  • Roster Strength: 80.64 (80)
  • Team Performance: 80.91 (61)
  • Head Coach Rating: 79.75 (88)

Central Michigan entered the MAC Championship Game as the favorite, but the Chippewas fell to Miami (Ohio) 26-21 in Detroit. Nevertheless, it was a remarkable season for the program. Head coach Jim McElwain earned Coach of the Year honors for his role in leading the Chips to the biggest turnaround in FBS this season. CMU was just 1-11 in 2018 but rebounded to go 8-5 and winning the MAC West.

Running backs Jonathan Ward and Kobe Lewis formed one of the best duos at the Group of Five level. Ward ran for 1,082 yards and 15 touchdowns despite missing two games due to injury, and Lewis ran for 977 yards and 11 scores during the regular season. Short-yardage quarterback Tommy Lazzaro, who backed up starter Quinten Dormady, ran for eight scores (including two in the title game) in limited action.

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