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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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IOWA CITY, IA. – NOVEMBER 16: Minnesota quarterback Tanner Morgan (2) passes during a Big Ten conference football game between the Minnesota Golden Gophers and the Iowa Hawkeyes on November 16, 2019, at Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA. Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IA. – NOVEMBER 16: Minnesota quarterback Tanner Morgan (2) passes during a Big Ten conference football game between the Minnesota Golden Gophers and the Iowa Hawkeyes on November 16, 2019, at Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA. Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

20. Minnesota Golden Gophers, 86.44

  • Roster Strength: 84.36 (40)
  • Team Performance: 86.25 (21)
  • Head Coach Rating: 86.24 (18)

Though Minnesota fell short of a storybook end to its 2019 season, the Golden Gophers enter bowl season with much to celebrate. Head coach P.J. Fleck raised the talent level within the program, and his recruiting success paid off during a 10-0 start to the season.

But not every impact player was a ballyhooed recruit. In fact, quarterback Tanner Morgan, who finished the season ranked sixth nationally with a 180.38 Rating and No. 5 in yards per pass attempt (10.3) wasn’t even guaranteed to be the starter at the beginning of fall camp, but he took control of the role when Zack Annexstead suffered a foot injury.

Morgan benefitted from a wealth of talented playmakers, including receivers Rashod Bateman and Tyler Johnson, as well as a deep stable of running backs led by Rodney Smith. All should be on display in the Outback Bowl against Auburn.

19. UCF Knights, 86.84

  • Roster Strength: 84.56 (36)
  • Team Performance: 87.57 (16)
  • Head Coach Rating: 84.63 (33)

UCF finally looked human at times in 2019, losing three games after running the table during both the 2017 and 2018 regular seasons. As a result, the Knights failed to make it to the AAC Championship Game. Nevertheless, UCF enters bowl season as the highest-rated Group of Five team in the CFB Winning Edge Team Strength power ratings.

How? Despite the losses (each by three points or fewer), the Knights played like a Top-20 team in terms of our Team Performance game grading system. The underrated UCF defense led the AAC and ranked seventh in the country in yards allowed per play (4.52), and as a result, ranked seventh in net yards per play (2.34).

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