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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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CHAMPAIGN, IL – OCTOBER 19: Head coach Lovie Smith of the Illinois Fighting Illini reacts after a game-winning field goal as time expired in the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Memorial Stadium on October 19, 2019 in Champaign, Illinois. Illinois defeated Wisconsin 24-23. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

72. Charlotte 49ers, 79.18

  • Roster Strength: 80.38 (85)
  • Team Performance: 77.11 (97)
  • Head Coach Rating: 78.28 (95)

One of the fastest risers in college football coaching circles is Will Healy, who injected life into a dreadful Austin Peay program across three seasons, and then led Charlotte to its first-ever bowl game in his first season with the 49ers. Healy led the Niners to a 7-5 record and 5-3 mark in C-USA play, and for a reward, will coach the team against Buffalo in the Bahamas Bowl.

Charlotte led Conference USA and ranked No. 23 in the country with an average of 6.40 yards per play during the regular season, thanks largely to a trio of talented playmakers: quarterback Chris Reynolds, running back Benny LeMay, and receiver Victor Tucker.

71. Illinois Fighting Illini, 79.26

  • Roster Strength: 82.60 (60)
  • Team Performance: 79.49 (73)
  • Head Coach Rating: 77.04 (103)

Illinois lost to both Eastern Michigan and Northwestern, but still managed to qualify for its first bowl game since 2014 thanks to a four-game winning streak began with a 24-23 victory over previously undefeated Wisconsin (and which snapped a four-game losing streak).

Building upon a foundation that included talented running back Reggie Corbin and a talented freshman class, Lovie Smith turned to the transfer portal for an infusion of veteran talent, and it worked. Quarterback Brandon Peters, receiver Josh Imatorbhebhe and pass rusher Oluwole Betiku, Jr. all provided an immediate impact for the Fighting Illini, and if all three return, Illinois could be poised for its best season in more than a decade.

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