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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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GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 30: Dameon Pierce #27 of the Florida Gators celebrates a touchdown during a game against the Florida State Seminoles at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 30, 2019 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 30: Dameon Pierce #27 of the Florida Gators celebrates a touchdown during a game against the Florida State Seminoles at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 30, 2019 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

8. Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 90.25

  • Roster Strength: 86.94 (16)
  • Team Performance: 89.37 (11)
  • Head Coach Rating: 91.39 (6)

Notre Dame has put together a quietly impressive season in 2019. The Fighting Irish enter the Camping World Bowl with a 10-2 overall record, and both losses coming on the road against Georgia and Michigan. With a win over Iowa State, the Irish could position themselves for a Top 10 finish in the AP poll, and given the experience and production likely to return in 2020, an even better spot in the preseason.

Quarterback Ian Book posted solid numbers overall and finished the regular season with 3,031 passing yards and 36 touchdowns to just six interceptions. Book was also the second-leading rusher for Notre Dame, having gained 516 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.

And though he boosted his stat line by feasting on opponents like New Mexico and Bowling Green in the first half of the season, Book finished strong and posted arguably his best three-game stretch over the final three weeks of the season. Chase Claypool, who played his way into the hearts of NFL Draft scouts with 59 receptions, 891 yards and 12 touchdowns, also had a lot to do with it.

7. Florida Gators, 90.90

  • Roster Strength: 86.55 (21)
  • Team Performance: 89.81 (7)
  • Head Coach Rating: 92.52 (4)

The injury to quarterback Feleipe Franks was a blow to Florida, especially given his potential to spur what has been an inconsistent rushing attack but Kyle Trask has gone above and beyond in relief. Trask has completed 67.6 percent of his passes for 2,636 yards and 24 touchdowns with only six interceptions this season and emerged as one of the best downfield passers in the SEC. He also led the Gators to an 8-2 record as a starter, with the losses coming at the hands of SEC division champions LSU and Georgia.

Florida has also excelled defensively. The Gators rank second in the conference and tenth nationally in total defense (299.0) and have held opponents to 4.80 yards per play, which ranks No. 19 in the country. The Gators also finished the regular season as the SEC leaders and ranked fourth overall with 46.0 sacks. However, the secondary will be more susceptible than usual to the pass following the announcement cornerback C.J. Henderson, who announced his intention to enter the NFL Draft last week, will not play in the bowl game.

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