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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, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 30: Jamie Newman #12 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons throws the ball during the first half of an NCAA football game against the Syracuse Orange at the Carrier Dome on November 30, 2019 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 30: Jamie Newman #12 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons throws the ball during the first half of an NCAA football game against the Syracuse Orange at the Carrier Dome on November 30, 2019 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images) /

50. BYU Cougars, 82.04

  • Roster Strength: 79.34 (94)
  • Team Performance: 83.08 (41)
  • Head Coach Rating: 81.50 (63)

Several teams were forced to start three different quarterbacks in 2019, including BYU. Zach Wilson led the Cougars to upset wins over Tennessee and USC, but suffered an injury in the loss to Toledo and missed three games.

But few were hit as hard at the running back position. Grad transfer Ty’Son Williams ran for 264 yards and three touchdowns in three games before suffering a knee injury. Leading rusher Sione Finau also suffered a torn ACL and will be unavailable in the Hawaii Bowl. Lopini Katoa and Emmanuel Esukpa all took turns in the backfield, but all missed time due to injury as well.

49. Wake Forest Demon Deacons, 82.16

  • Roster Strength: 82.88 (58)
  • Team Performance: 82.36 (49)
  • Head Coach Rating: 81.00 (73)

There was a time when Wake Forest appeared to be the ACC’s best chance to knock off mighty Clemson. Led by quarterback Jamie Newman and receivers Sage Surratt and Scott Washington, the Demon Deacons jumped out to a 5-0 start.

Sadly, all three standouts suffered injuries midseason, and each missed significant playing time. Surratt, who leads the ACC with 111.2 receiving yards per game and ranks third with eight touchdowns, was lost for the year after just nine games. Clemson beat the undermanned Deacs 52-3.

But Newman, who has earned some buzz in draft circles while throwing for 2,693 yards and 23 touchdowns as a junior, along with 487 rushing yards and a team-high six scores on the ground, should be good to go against Michigan State in the Pinstripe Bowl.

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