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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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LOUISVILLE, KY – OCTOBER 19: Louisville Cardinals running back Javian Hawkins (10) carries the ball for a touchdown during the game against the Clemson Tigers and the Louisville Cardinals on October 19th 2019, at Cardinal Stadium in Louisville, KY. (Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KY – OCTOBER 19: Louisville Cardinals running back Javian Hawkins (10) carries the ball for a touchdown during the game against the Clemson Tigers and the Louisville Cardinals on October 19th 2019, at Cardinal Stadium in Louisville, KY. (Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

42. Air Force Falcons, 83.18

  • Roster Strength: 78.09 (108)
  • Team Performance: 84.26 (32)
  • Head Coach Rating: 85.39 (27)

Service academies rarely post Roster Strength ratings inside triple-digits, and this year’s Air Force squad was no different. Despite a returning starter at quarterback, several experienced options at running back and on defense, the Falcons never climbed higher than No. 108 in our premium talent metric. But it should come as no surprise Troy Calhoun and his coaching staff got more out of the Air Force roster than its modest recruiting ratings would suggest.

Air Force finished the regular season ranked third nationally in rushing offense (292.50) behind only rivals Navy and Army. The Falcons also led the nation in yards per pass attempt (13.8) by a wide margin (No. 2 Navy averaged 12.1), and threw 14 touchdown passes – more than 32 FBS programs including 10 bowl teams: Nevada (13), FIU (13), Buffalo (13), San Diego State (12), Kansas State (12), Miami Ohio (11), Georgia Southern (9), Wyoming (8), Kentucky (8) and Navy (8).

41. Louisville Cardinals, 83.38

  • Roster Strength: 82.91 (57)
  • Team Performance: 82.89 (43)
  • Head Coach Rating: 84.09 (39)

There’s no reason to sugarcoat it: Louisville was awful in 2018. The Cardinals were blown out on a weekly basis, and large numbers of players had apparently given up on head coach Bobby Petrino, who it appeared had given up on Louisville.

Louisville turned to Scott Satterfield, hiring him away from his alma mater, Appalachian State, and tasking him with what was seemingly a monumental rebuild. Instead, Satterfield injected enthusiasm and confidence into the program and the Cardinals responded by winning seven games.

Led by running back Javian Hawkins, whose 118.33 rushing yards per game ranked second in the ACC, the Cards even posted a 5-3 record in league play, which was good for second place in the Atlantic Division behind Clemson.

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