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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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SYRACUSE, NY – SEPTEMBER 21: LeVante Bellamy #2 of the Western Michigan Broncos carries the ball for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Syracuse Orange at the Carrier Dome on September 21, 2019 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
SYRACUSE, NY – SEPTEMBER 21: LeVante Bellamy #2 of the Western Michigan Broncos carries the ball for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Syracuse Orange at the Carrier Dome on September 21, 2019 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

56. Western Michigan Broncos, 80.95

  • Roster Strength: 84.83 (33)
  • Team Performance: 81.06 (60)
  • Head Coach Rating: 75.99 (111)

P.J. Fleck left the cupboard stocked with talent when he left Western Michigan for Minnesota. In fact, only SMU (No. 25) ranks higher in Roster Strength among Group of Five conference teams. Given the experience and production the Broncos had on hand, it’s disappointing WMU stumbled three times in MAC play and missed the conference championship game. Nevertheless, that talent will be on full display against Western Kentucky in the First Responder Bowl.

Keep a close eye on running back LeVante Bellamy, who leads the nation with 23 rushing touchdowns and finished the regular season eighth on the FBS leaderboard with an average of 117.67 rushing yards per game. Bellamy surpassed 100 rushing yards eight times this season.

55. Temple Owls, 80.99

  • Roster Strength: 81.01 (76)
  • Team Performance: 82.22 (50)
  • Head Coach Rating: 78.71 (94)

As has now become custom, Temple navigated its most recent head coaching change with ease in 2019. Geoff Collins left the Owls for Georgia Tech, and following the short-lived Manny Diaz era, Rod Carey arrived and led the program to its fifth consecutive winning record. Carey quickly became the fifth consecutive head coach to lead Temple to at least eight wins during his tenure.

Included in the Owls’ eight victories this season are two over ranked opponents – Maryland (it counts!) and Memphis – and a win over Collins and his Yellow Jackets.

Among the players to watch for Temple in its Military Bowl matchup with North Carolina is defensive end Quincy Roche, who leads the AAC with 13.0 sacks, quarterback Anthony Russo and receiver Jadan Blue, who needs 25 receiving yards for 1,000.

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