Bowl Season Power Rankings: All 78 Teams, From Oklahoma to New Mexico State
SCOOBY AXSON
December 04, 2017
In the season’s final Power Rankings, we’ve added to our usual 25 standouts the additional 53 teams that will be playing in the postseason, because why not? You can never have too many bowl games for some reason. Because 81 teams reached the six-win threshold required for postseason eligibility, you won’t be seeing any 5–7 teams below thanks to a Academic Progress Rate, or Ole Miss (obviously). Also missing from the festivities are Western Michigan, UTSA and Buffalo, which had enough wins to make to the postseason but were left out on account of there being only 78 spots.
Now on to the mega-rankings:
7. CENTRAL FLORIDA (12–0, 8–0 AAC)
Previous ranking: 8
This week: Beat Memphis 62–55 (2OT) in AAC Championship
Next game: vs. Auburn in Peach Bowl
In a span of three years, Central Florida went from the cellar of college football to undefeated and playing in a major bowl game. McKenzie Milton threw for 494 yards and five touchdowns and the Knights overcame four turnovers to win their third conference title in the last five seasons. The season was a perfect sendoff for coach Scott Frost, who will coach the bowl game before departing for the Nebraska job.
16. MEMPHIS (10–2, 7–1 AAC)
Previous ranking: 14
This week: Lost 62–55 (2OT) to Central Florida in AAC Championship
Next game: vs. Iowa State in Liberty Bowl
In a game that featured 117 points and almost 1,500 yards, Memphis rallied twice from two-touchdown deficits to push UCF to overtime. Riley Ferguson had 471 yards and four touchdowns and the Tigers rolled up 753 yards of offense. The Tigers were done in by 14 penalties and two costly turnovers, despite holding the ball more than twice the time that Central Florida had it.
24. BOISE STATE (10–3, 7–1 MWC)
Previous ranking: —
This week: Beat Fresno State 17–14 in Mountain West Championship
Next game: vs. Oregon in Las Vegas Bowl
Boise State came up big in the fourth quarter, driving 90 yards to put the winning score on the board and avenge last week’s loss to Fresno State. Brett Rypien threw for 246 yards and the defense put the clamps on the Bulldogs' offense that shredded them the week before. Boise State has won 10 games for the eighth time in the last 10 years, and won the Mountain West for the second time in the last four.
28. FLORIDA ATLANTIC (10–3)
Next game: vs. Akron in Boca Raton Bowl
32. TOLEDO (11–2)
Next game: vs. Appalachian State in Armed Forces Bowl
33. TROY (10–2)
Next game: vs. North Texas in New Orleans Bowl
34. ARMY (8–3)
Next games: vs. Navy on Saturday; vs. San Diego State in Armed Forces Bowl
37. APPALACHIAN STATE (10–2)
Next game: vs. Toledo in Armed Forces Bowl
38. WEST VIRGINIA (7–5)
Next game: vs. Utah in Heart of Dallas Bowl
42. SMU (7–5)
Next game: vs. Louisiana Tech in Frisco Bowl
43. MARSHALL (7–5)
Next game: vs. Colorado State in New Mexico Bowl
44. CENTRAL MICHIGAN (8–4)
Next game: vs. Wyoming in Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
45. ARIZONA STATE (7–5)
Next game: vs. NC State in Belk Bowl
46. KENTUCKY (7–5)
Next game: vs. Northwestern in Music City Bowl
47. UAB (8–4)
Next game: vs. Ohio in Bahamas Bowl
48. NORTHERN ILLINOIS (8–4)
Next game: vs. Duke in Quick Lane Bowl
49. MISSOURI (7–5)
Next game: vs. Texas in Texas Bowl
Oregon spent a majority of the season without its starting quarterback, Justin Herbert, who broke his collarbone. The Ducks are a different team with him under center and the Las Vegas Bowl is a good opportunity to show what could be coming next year in Eugene. In December 2014, UAB shut down its football program, citing financial difficulties. The Blazers came back in a big way, earning bowl eligibility in their first season back. Keep an eye out for UAB’s Spencer Brown, a dynamic freshman who ran for nearly 1,300 yards and 10 touchdowns this season.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL’S JEKYLL AND HYDE
50. SOUTHERN MISS (8–4)
Next game: vs. Florida State in Independence Bowl
51. IOWA (7–5)
Next game: vs. Boston College in Pinstripe Bowl
52. NORTH TEXAS (9–4)
Next game: vs. New Orleans Bowl
53. OHIO (8–4)
Next game: vs. UAB in Bahamas Bowl
54. ARIZONA (7–5)
Next game: vs. Purdue in Foster Farms Bowl
55. WAKE FOREST (7–5)
Next game: vs. Texas A&M in Belk Bowl
56. AKRON (7–6)
Next game: vs. FAU in Boca Raton Bowl
57. COLORADO STATE (7–5)
Next game: vs. Marshall in New Mexico Bowl
58. NAVY (6–5)
Next game: vs. Army on Saturday; vs. Virginia in Military Bowl
59. FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL (8–4)
Next game: vs. Temple in Gasparilla Bowl
Iowa is the biggest enigma in college football: thrashing Ohio State by 31 points at home, then losing to Purdue in the same stadium two weeks later. On the bright side, the Hawkeyes did beat four teams that made it to bowls this season. North Texas, which lacks much notable football tradition outside of Mean Joe Greene, won nine games under the outstanding leadership of second-year coach Seth Littrell—another season like this and programs that have vacancies next winter will come calling. For those who didn’t stay up late to watch this season of Pac-12 After Dark, Arizona quarterback Khalil Tate is must-see TV. He is known to break off a long run (or five) during the game and could have a 250-yard game against Purdue’s defense.
ON THE UPSWING
60. TEXAS (6–6)
Next game: vs. Missouri in Texas Bowl
61. ARKANSAS STATE (7–4)
Next game: vs. Middle Tennessee in Camellia Bowl
62. BOSTON COLLEGE (7–5)
Next game: vs. Iowa in Independence Bowl
63. WESTERN KENTUCKY (6–6)
Next game: vs. Georgia State in Cure Bowl
64. UTAH (6–6)
Next game: vs. West Virginia in Heart of Dallas Bowl
65. HOUSTON (7–4)
Next game: vs. Fresno State in Hawaii Bowl
66. WYOMING (7–5)
Next game: vs. Central Michigan in Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
67. UCLA (6–6)
Next game: vs. Kansas State in Cactus Bowl
68. UTAH STATE (6–6)
Next game: vs. New Mexico State in Arizona Bowl
69. FLORIDA STATE (6–6)
Next game: vs. Southern Mississippi in Independence Bowl
The pixie dust worked about as well as Tom Herman warned us it would this season for Texas, which hung with Oklahoma, USC and Oklahoma State, but somehow lost to Maryland and Texas Tech. Better days are ahead in Austin. UCLA, another team that has talent and failed to capitalized, fell to rock bottom after a thrilling comeback in the opener against Texas A&M. That slide got Jim Mora fired and led to the hiring of Chip Kelly. The Bruins should thrive again under Kelly in a hurry.
THE WORST OF THE BEST
70. PURDUE (6–6)
Next game: vs. Arizona in Foster Farms Bowl
71. DUKE (6–6)
Next game: vs. Northern Illinois in Quick Lane Bowl
72. LOUISIANA TECH (6–6)
Next game: vs. SMU in Frisco Bowl
73. VIRGINIA (6–6)
Next game: vs. Navy in Military Bowl
74. TEMPLE (6–6)
Next game: vs. FIU in Gasparilla Bowl
75. MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE (6–6)
Next game: vs. Arkansas State in Camellia Bowl
76. TEXAS TECH (6–6)
Next game: vs. South Florida in Birmingham Bowl
77. GEORGIA STATE (6–5)
Next game: vs. Western Kentucky in Cure Bowl
These teams aren’t necessarily bad (all of them won at least six games), but at times, watching them play was tough on the eyes. Purdue showed remarkable improvement under first-year coach Jeff Brohm, and with a few more years of this, he won’t be at Purdue much longer. Texas Tech amazingly still has a coach after its roller-coaster year. The Red Raiders again could move the ball on offense but got thrashed in just about every game on defense. Look for a plethora of points when they meet South Florida in Birmingham.
BECAUSE SOMEONE HAD TO BE LAST
78. NEW MEXICO STATE (6–6)
Next game: vs. Utah State in Arizona Bowl
Congrats to the Aggies, who are bowl eligible for the first time since the end of the Eisenhower administration. They won their final two games and can finally enjoy some national exposure and long awaited bowl swag.
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SCOOBY AXSON
December 04, 2017
In the season’s final Power Rankings, we’ve added to our usual 25 standouts the additional 53 teams that will be playing in the postseason, because why not? You can never have too many bowl games for some reason. Because 81 teams reached the six-win threshold required for postseason eligibility, you won’t be seeing any 5–7 teams below thanks to a Academic Progress Rate, or Ole Miss (obviously). Also missing from the festivities are Western Michigan, UTSA and Buffalo, which had enough wins to make to the postseason but were left out on account of there being only 78 spots.
Now on to the mega-rankings:
7. CENTRAL FLORIDA (12–0, 8–0 AAC)
Previous ranking: 8
This week: Beat Memphis 62–55 (2OT) in AAC Championship
Next game: vs. Auburn in Peach Bowl
In a span of three years, Central Florida went from the cellar of college football to undefeated and playing in a major bowl game. McKenzie Milton threw for 494 yards and five touchdowns and the Knights overcame four turnovers to win their third conference title in the last five seasons. The season was a perfect sendoff for coach Scott Frost, who will coach the bowl game before departing for the Nebraska job.
16. MEMPHIS (10–2, 7–1 AAC)
Previous ranking: 14
This week: Lost 62–55 (2OT) to Central Florida in AAC Championship
Next game: vs. Iowa State in Liberty Bowl
In a game that featured 117 points and almost 1,500 yards, Memphis rallied twice from two-touchdown deficits to push UCF to overtime. Riley Ferguson had 471 yards and four touchdowns and the Tigers rolled up 753 yards of offense. The Tigers were done in by 14 penalties and two costly turnovers, despite holding the ball more than twice the time that Central Florida had it.
24. BOISE STATE (10–3, 7–1 MWC)
Previous ranking: —
This week: Beat Fresno State 17–14 in Mountain West Championship
Next game: vs. Oregon in Las Vegas Bowl
Boise State came up big in the fourth quarter, driving 90 yards to put the winning score on the board and avenge last week’s loss to Fresno State. Brett Rypien threw for 246 yards and the defense put the clamps on the Bulldogs' offense that shredded them the week before. Boise State has won 10 games for the eighth time in the last 10 years, and won the Mountain West for the second time in the last four.
28. FLORIDA ATLANTIC (10–3)
Next game: vs. Akron in Boca Raton Bowl
32. TOLEDO (11–2)
Next game: vs. Appalachian State in Armed Forces Bowl
33. TROY (10–2)
Next game: vs. North Texas in New Orleans Bowl
34. ARMY (8–3)
Next games: vs. Navy on Saturday; vs. San Diego State in Armed Forces Bowl
37. APPALACHIAN STATE (10–2)
Next game: vs. Toledo in Armed Forces Bowl
38. WEST VIRGINIA (7–5)
Next game: vs. Utah in Heart of Dallas Bowl
42. SMU (7–5)
Next game: vs. Louisiana Tech in Frisco Bowl
43. MARSHALL (7–5)
Next game: vs. Colorado State in New Mexico Bowl
44. CENTRAL MICHIGAN (8–4)
Next game: vs. Wyoming in Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
45. ARIZONA STATE (7–5)
Next game: vs. NC State in Belk Bowl
46. KENTUCKY (7–5)
Next game: vs. Northwestern in Music City Bowl
47. UAB (8–4)
Next game: vs. Ohio in Bahamas Bowl
48. NORTHERN ILLINOIS (8–4)
Next game: vs. Duke in Quick Lane Bowl
49. MISSOURI (7–5)
Next game: vs. Texas in Texas Bowl
Oregon spent a majority of the season without its starting quarterback, Justin Herbert, who broke his collarbone. The Ducks are a different team with him under center and the Las Vegas Bowl is a good opportunity to show what could be coming next year in Eugene. In December 2014, UAB shut down its football program, citing financial difficulties. The Blazers came back in a big way, earning bowl eligibility in their first season back. Keep an eye out for UAB’s Spencer Brown, a dynamic freshman who ran for nearly 1,300 yards and 10 touchdowns this season.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL’S JEKYLL AND HYDE
50. SOUTHERN MISS (8–4)
Next game: vs. Florida State in Independence Bowl
51. IOWA (7–5)
Next game: vs. Boston College in Pinstripe Bowl
52. NORTH TEXAS (9–4)
Next game: vs. New Orleans Bowl
53. OHIO (8–4)
Next game: vs. UAB in Bahamas Bowl
54. ARIZONA (7–5)
Next game: vs. Purdue in Foster Farms Bowl
55. WAKE FOREST (7–5)
Next game: vs. Texas A&M in Belk Bowl
56. AKRON (7–6)
Next game: vs. FAU in Boca Raton Bowl
57. COLORADO STATE (7–5)
Next game: vs. Marshall in New Mexico Bowl
58. NAVY (6–5)
Next game: vs. Army on Saturday; vs. Virginia in Military Bowl
59. FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL (8–4)
Next game: vs. Temple in Gasparilla Bowl
Iowa is the biggest enigma in college football: thrashing Ohio State by 31 points at home, then losing to Purdue in the same stadium two weeks later. On the bright side, the Hawkeyes did beat four teams that made it to bowls this season. North Texas, which lacks much notable football tradition outside of Mean Joe Greene, won nine games under the outstanding leadership of second-year coach Seth Littrell—another season like this and programs that have vacancies next winter will come calling. For those who didn’t stay up late to watch this season of Pac-12 After Dark, Arizona quarterback Khalil Tate is must-see TV. He is known to break off a long run (or five) during the game and could have a 250-yard game against Purdue’s defense.
ON THE UPSWING
60. TEXAS (6–6)
Next game: vs. Missouri in Texas Bowl
61. ARKANSAS STATE (7–4)
Next game: vs. Middle Tennessee in Camellia Bowl
62. BOSTON COLLEGE (7–5)
Next game: vs. Iowa in Independence Bowl
63. WESTERN KENTUCKY (6–6)
Next game: vs. Georgia State in Cure Bowl
64. UTAH (6–6)
Next game: vs. West Virginia in Heart of Dallas Bowl
65. HOUSTON (7–4)
Next game: vs. Fresno State in Hawaii Bowl
66. WYOMING (7–5)
Next game: vs. Central Michigan in Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
67. UCLA (6–6)
Next game: vs. Kansas State in Cactus Bowl
68. UTAH STATE (6–6)
Next game: vs. New Mexico State in Arizona Bowl
69. FLORIDA STATE (6–6)
Next game: vs. Southern Mississippi in Independence Bowl
The pixie dust worked about as well as Tom Herman warned us it would this season for Texas, which hung with Oklahoma, USC and Oklahoma State, but somehow lost to Maryland and Texas Tech. Better days are ahead in Austin. UCLA, another team that has talent and failed to capitalized, fell to rock bottom after a thrilling comeback in the opener against Texas A&M. That slide got Jim Mora fired and led to the hiring of Chip Kelly. The Bruins should thrive again under Kelly in a hurry.
THE WORST OF THE BEST
70. PURDUE (6–6)
Next game: vs. Arizona in Foster Farms Bowl
71. DUKE (6–6)
Next game: vs. Northern Illinois in Quick Lane Bowl
72. LOUISIANA TECH (6–6)
Next game: vs. SMU in Frisco Bowl
73. VIRGINIA (6–6)
Next game: vs. Navy in Military Bowl
74. TEMPLE (6–6)
Next game: vs. FIU in Gasparilla Bowl
75. MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE (6–6)
Next game: vs. Arkansas State in Camellia Bowl
76. TEXAS TECH (6–6)
Next game: vs. South Florida in Birmingham Bowl
77. GEORGIA STATE (6–5)
Next game: vs. Western Kentucky in Cure Bowl
These teams aren’t necessarily bad (all of them won at least six games), but at times, watching them play was tough on the eyes. Purdue showed remarkable improvement under first-year coach Jeff Brohm, and with a few more years of this, he won’t be at Purdue much longer. Texas Tech amazingly still has a coach after its roller-coaster year. The Red Raiders again could move the ball on offense but got thrashed in just about every game on defense. Look for a plethora of points when they meet South Florida in Birmingham.
BECAUSE SOMEONE HAD TO BE LAST
78. NEW MEXICO STATE (6–6)
Next game: vs. Utah State in Arizona Bowl
Congrats to the Aggies, who are bowl eligible for the first time since the end of the Eisenhower administration. They won their final two games and can finally enjoy some national exposure and long awaited bowl swag.
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