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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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LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY – NOVEMBER 23: Lynn Bowden Jr #1 of the Kentucky Wildcats runs with the ball during the game against the UT Martin Skyhawks at Commonwealth Stadium on November 23, 2019 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY – NOVEMBER 23: Lynn Bowden Jr #1 of the Kentucky Wildcats runs with the ball during the game against the UT Martin Skyhawks at Commonwealth Stadium on November 23, 2019 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

24. Tennessee Vols, 85.12

  • Roster Strength: 87.61 (11)
  • Team Performance: 83.86 (35)
  • Head Coach Rating: 81.28 (76)

It’s difficult to imagine a worse start than the Tennessee Vols in 2019. Tennessee was embarrassed at home by Georgia State and then failed to cover BYU deep in the final seconds of regulation before losing 29-26 in overtime. The Vols started 1-3 in SEC play as well, which included losses to Florida, Georgia and Alabama by an average of 27.33 points per game.

But everything turned around in the second half of the season. During Tennessee’s five-game winning streak, Jarrett Guarantano re-emerged as the team’s starting quarterback, running back Eric Gray exploded for 246 rushing yards and three touchdowns in the win over Vanderbilt, and receivers Jauan Jennings and Marquez Callaway stepped up to make big plays (though Jennings is suspended for the first half of the Gator Bowl against Indiana following an ugly sideline incident against the Commodores).

Tennessee also beat Kentucky 17-13. Nevertheless…

23. Kentucky Wildcats, 85.71

  • Roster Strength: 83.97 (44)
  • Team Performance: 83.61 (37)
  • Head Coach Rating: 86.66 (21)

It’s amazing to think Kentucky lost its starting quarterback in the third game of the season and was forced to start three quarterbacks overall. Before dynamic receiver and return man Lynn Bowden emerged as the No. 1 option under center, Kentucky failed to break into the top 40 of our Team Strength ratings. But Bowden added spark to the offense, which improved nearly every week to finish in the top 25 of our power rankings.

Bowden finished the regular season with 1,235 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. What’s incredible about that is he didn’t have more than six carries, or a single score, in any game until Oct. 12. In seven games played primarily at quarterback, and six starts at the position, Bowden has averaged 162.29 rushing yards per game. For reference, Chuba Hubbard leads the nation with 161.33 rushing yards per game this year.

Bowden announced he plans to enter the NFL Draft, but is expected to play in the bowl game.

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