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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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BOISE, ID – NOVEMBER 9: Wyoming Cowboys (6) Xazavian Valladay (RB) breaks free for a long run during a college football game between the Boise State Broncos and the Wyoming Cowboys on November 9, 2019, at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, ID. (Photo by Tyler Ingham/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BOISE, ID – NOVEMBER 9: Wyoming Cowboys (6) Xazavian Valladay (RB) breaks free for a long run during a college football game between the Boise State Broncos and the Wyoming Cowboys on November 9, 2019, at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, ID. (Photo by Tyler Ingham/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

65. WKU Hilltoppers, 80.07

  • Roster Strength: 79.95 (89)
  • Team Performance: 79.62 (72)
  • Head Coach Rating: 80.00 (84)

There were several close calls, but only two FBS teams lost to FCS opponents in 2019. One was UMass, which finished the season ranked No. 130 in both Team Performance and Team Strength while posting historically bad numbers on defense. The other is WKU, which dropped its season opener to Central Arkansas 35-28.

It’s difficult to imagine a worse start for first-year head coach Tyson Helton, but the Hilltoppers rallied to win eight games against their FBS peers – including a 45-19 victory over Arkansas. WKU was even in the mix in the Conference USA East race until it suffered losses to Marshall and FAU.

With transfer quarterback (and former Razorback) Ty Storey, defensive back-turned-1,000-yard rusher Gaej Walker and a stingy defense, a would-be disastrous first season turned into a solid foundation for Helton, and a bid to the First Responders Bowl for the Hilltoppers.

65. Wyoming Cowboys, 80.14

  • Roster Strength: 78.04 (109)
  • Team Performance: 80.85 (62)
  • Head Coach Rating: 84.48 (36)

Recruiting ratings should never be considered the gospel, but it’s fair to admit Wyoming – which currently ranks 110th out of 130 FBS teams in Roster Strength – rarely boasts a talent advantage when it steps on the field. The Cowboys even suffered injuries to several of its most talented players, including starting quarterback Sean Chambers, but head coach Craig Bohl still led the Cowboys to seven wins and a spot in the Arizona Bowl against Georgia State.

Running back Xazavian Valladay became a workhorse after the Cowboys following injuries to Chambers and fellow running backs Titus Swen and Trey Smith. In 11 games (he also missed one due to injury), Valladay ran for 1,061 yards and five touchdowns. But the player to watch is linebacker Logan Wilson, an All-American and future pro who racked up 98 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, one sack, seven pass breakups and four interceptions – including one he returned for a touchdown – as a senior.

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