Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
22 of 40
Next
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – NOVEMBER 29: Bryce Perkins #3 of the Virginia Cavaliers scrambles in the second half during a game against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Scott Stadium on November 29, 2019 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – NOVEMBER 29: Bryce Perkins #3 of the Virginia Cavaliers scrambles in the second half during a game against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Scott Stadium on November 29, 2019 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /

38. Kansas State Wildcats, 83.84

  • Roster Strength: 82.52 (64)
  • Team Performance: 83.91 (33)
  • Head Coach Rating: 88.40 (12)

We take a risk by applying Head Coach ratings for first-year coaches when making our preseason projections. But because we applied new K-State coach Chris Klieman’s success at North Dakota State, which helped boost one of the weakest rosters (on paper) in any Power Five program, the Wildcats enter their matchup with Navy in the Liberty Bowl ranked almost exactly where they started (which was higher than just about anyone else, by the way).

But we certainly didn’t project K-State to upset Oklahoma. The 48-41 win over the Sooners nearly knocked OU out of playoff contention and goes down as one of the biggest upsets of the year. The Wildcats also scored an upset over rival Iowa State in the regular-season finale, and at 8-4 with the bowl game pending, Kleiman’s first season should go down as an unmitigated success.

37. Virginia Cavaliers, 84.63

  • Roster Strength: 83.64 (47)
  • Team Performance: 84.56 (30)
  • Head Coach Rating: 84.58 (35)

Virginia entered the ACC Championship Game ranked No. 23 by the College Football Playoff committee and ranked No. 29 in our Team Strength power rankings. However, the damage resulting from the Cavaliers’ 62-17 loss to Clemson was significant.

Quarterback Bryce Perkins was forced to play without one of his best receivers, All-ACC all-purpose performer Joe Reed, who sat out due to injury. Though Perkins connected with Hasise Dubois for 10 receptions, 130 yards and a touchdown – and the Cavaliers moved the ball early against the talented Tigers defense – he also tossed two interceptions, including one in the end zone on the game’s opening drive.

Home/College Football