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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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SEATTLE, WA – NOVEMBER 29: Washington State Cougars quarterback Anthony Gordon (18) drops back for a pass in the first quarter of the 112th Apple Cup between the Washington Huskies and the Washington State Cougars on Friday, November 29, 2019 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, WA. (Photo by Christopher Mast/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – NOVEMBER 29: Washington State Cougars quarterback Anthony Gordon (18) drops back for a pass in the first quarter of the 112th Apple Cup between the Washington Huskies and the Washington State Cougars on Friday, November 29, 2019 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, WA. (Photo by Christopher Mast/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

26. Washington State Cougars, 84.88

  • Roster Strength: 84.15 (42)
  • Team Performance: 82.53 (46)
  • Head Coach Rating: 87.13 (15)

It’s understandable Washington State would take a step back following the departure of quarterback Gardner Minshew, but Anthony Gordon has filled in admirably. Like Minshew, Gordon led the nation in passing (5,228 yards, along with 45 touchdowns and 16 interceptions) in his first and only season as a starter for head coach Mike Leach, and the fifth-year senior and junior college transfer might have even played his way into the NFL Draft.

Leach’s track record of success and Top-15 rating as a head coach is the primary reason the Cougars are knocking on the doorstep of the Top 25 in our power rankings and considered a slight favorite over Air Force in the Cheez-It Bowl according to our numbers (though not oddsmakers) despite a mediocre 6-6 overall record, and 3-6 finish in Pac-12 play.

25. Texas Longhorns, 85.05

  • Roster Strength: 87.03 (15)
  • Team Performance: 84.68 (28)
  • Head Coach Rating: 84.60 (34)

The 2019 season wasn’t a complete disaster for Texas, though most would agree the Longhorns fell short of expectations. Injuries played a role, and the offense struggled unexpectedly during the final five weeks of the regular season. As a result, head coach Tom Herman decided to fire both his coordinators.

Though it lacks the luster of last year’s Sugar Bowl bid and the win over Georgia, the Horns have an opportunity to pull off a similar upset against Utah – who like the Bulldogs were in the mix for a playoff spot until suffering a loss in the conference title game – this year. But don’t expect any major proclamations from quarterback Sam Ehlinger this year.

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