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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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MIAMI GARDENS, FL – NOVEMBER 9: University of Miami Hurricanes Coach Manny Diaz with his team after the college football game between the University of Louisville Cardinals and the University of Miami Hurricanes on November 9, 2019 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL. (Photo by Aaron Gilbert/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FL – NOVEMBER 9: University of Miami Hurricanes Coach Manny Diaz with his team after the college football game between the University of Louisville Cardinals and the University of Miami Hurricanes on November 9, 2019 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL. (Photo by Aaron Gilbert/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

46. Michigan State Spartans, 82.88

  • Roster Strength: 84.50 (36)
  • Team Performance: 82.51 (47)
  • Head Coach Rating: 81.56 (61)

Michigan State entered the season ranked in the Top 20 in both the AP poll and the CFB Winning Edge Team Strength power rankings. The Spartans looked the part – especially on defense – during a 4-1 start to the season.

Unfortunately, problems that doomed Michigan State on offense in years past remained, and the Spartans lost five straight games midseason. Michigan State was hardly competitive against Big Ten powers Ohio State, Wisconsin, Penn State and Michigan, and needed wins over bottom dwellers Rutgers and Maryland just to make it to the Pinstripe Bowl.

45. Miami Hurricanes, 82.97

  • Roster Strength: 86.44 (22)
  • Team Performance: 81.88 (52)
  • Head Coach Rating: 76.00 (110)

It made perfect sense for Miami to hire Manny Diaz as its head coach prior to the 2019 season. Diaz had a great tenure as the Hurricanes’ defensive coordinator, and despite his leaving for a job at Temple, the move allowed Miami a relatively smooth transition following Mark Richt’s retirement.

But Diaz’s first season as a head coach was anything but smooth. The Canes dipped into the transfer portal early and often and hit with receiver K.J. Osborn, who led the team with 45 receptions and five touchdown catches, but missed with quarterback Tate Martell, who never climbed higher than third on the depth chart and spent time at receiver as well as a personal leave of absence. Diaz also struggled to fill holes on the offensive line, and Miami allowed 10 sacks to Florida in the season opener.

There were highs, including wins over Coastal champ Virginia and rival Florida State, but there were more lows, including losses to Georgia Tech, FIU and Duke. It feels odd to say, but the Independence Bowl date with Louisiana Tech seems like a must-win for Diaz if he’s going to carry any momentum into 2020.

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