60.)
Minnesota (7-6, 71.1 WP, 61.8 LP)
The Gophers jumped out to a 3-0 start including a win over the eventual Mountain West Champ Fresno State. Then they dropped five of six and were on the verge of not making a bowl. Minnesota came back and made a statement game against Purdue, 41-10, and then won the Paul Bunyan Axe from Wisconsin for the first time in 15 years to sneak into a bowl game. The Gophers then spoiled Paul Johnson's going away party in the Quick Lane Bowl as they blasted Georgia Tech 34-10.
P.J. Fleck built a strong program at Western Michigan on the foundation of teamwork and has brought that to Minnesota. The Gophers could very well see a turn around like Northwestern, especially in the weaker half of the Big Ten.
Best Win: Wisconsin
Worst Loss: Illinois
2017 Finish: 88
Minnesota (7-6, 71.1 WP, 61.8 LP)The Gophers jumped out to a 3-0 start including a win over the eventual Mountain West Champ Fresno State. Then they dropped five of six and were on the verge of not making a bowl. Minnesota came back and made a statement game against Purdue, 41-10, and then won the Paul Bunyan Axe from Wisconsin for the first time in 15 years to sneak into a bowl game. The Gophers then spoiled Paul Johnson's going away party in the Quick Lane Bowl as they blasted Georgia Tech 34-10.
P.J. Fleck built a strong program at Western Michigan on the foundation of teamwork and has brought that to Minnesota. The Gophers could very well see a turn around like Northwestern, especially in the weaker half of the Big Ten.
Best Win: Wisconsin
Worst Loss: Illinois
2017 Finish: 88
59.)
BYU (7-6, 69.1 WP, 37.3 LP)
The Cougars struggled to find a balance offensively in 2018 with five games scoring less 20 points or less going 0-5 in those contests. The defense however, kept them in games including a tough win on the road against a ranked Wisconsin. They got to six wins before heading into the Holy War against Utah where they were edged by the Utes 35-27.
BYU landed a spot in Famous Idaho Potato Bowl where they struggled to a 10-7 deficit at the half. Then the Cougars exploded for 42 points in the second half to win in a laugher on the blue turf 49-18. The bowl appearance was a return to postseason play after a four win campaign in 2017.
Best Win: Wisconsin
Worst Loss: Northern Illinois
2017 Finish: 109
The Cougars struggled to find a balance offensively in 2018 with five games scoring less 20 points or less going 0-5 in those contests. The defense however, kept them in games including a tough win on the road against a ranked Wisconsin. They got to six wins before heading into the Holy War against Utah where they were edged by the Utes 35-27.
BYU landed a spot in Famous Idaho Potato Bowl where they struggled to a 10-7 deficit at the half. Then the Cougars exploded for 42 points in the second half to win in a laugher on the blue turf 49-18. The bowl appearance was a return to postseason play after a four win campaign in 2017.
Best Win: Wisconsin
Worst Loss: Northern Illinois
2017 Finish: 109
58.)
Michigan State (7-6, 68 WP, 47.5 LP)
The Spartans got off to an interesting start to the season with a near loss to Utah State before losing on the road at Arizona State. Then they seemed to have things turned around with a 21-17 comeback win over Penn State. MSU lost a rain soaked affair against Michigan, but rattled off back-to-back wins over Purdue and Maryland. Suddenly the offense disappeared as they put up 26 points in their final three games (1-2) to go into the bowl season.
It appeared that they might be in for a nightmare scenario in the Redbox Bowl against Justin Herbert and the Oregon Ducks offense. However, the defense came to play and limited the Ducks to just seven points, but unfortunately the offense sputtered and Sparty lost 7-6.
Best Win: Penn State
Worst Loss: Nebraska
2017 Finish: 17
Michigan State (7-6, 68 WP, 47.5 LP)The Spartans got off to an interesting start to the season with a near loss to Utah State before losing on the road at Arizona State. Then they seemed to have things turned around with a 21-17 comeback win over Penn State. MSU lost a rain soaked affair against Michigan, but rattled off back-to-back wins over Purdue and Maryland. Suddenly the offense disappeared as they put up 26 points in their final three games (1-2) to go into the bowl season.
It appeared that they might be in for a nightmare scenario in the Redbox Bowl against Justin Herbert and the Oregon Ducks offense. However, the defense came to play and limited the Ducks to just seven points, but unfortunately the offense sputtered and Sparty lost 7-6.
Best Win: Penn State
Worst Loss: Nebraska
2017 Finish: 17
57.)
Oklahoma State (7-6, 55.6 WP, 73.3 LP)
The Cowboys came out guns blazing going 3-0 with a win over Power 5 killer Boise State. Then they were lambasted by Texas Tech to start a series of three losses in four games. A bye week helped them gameplan for Texas and they were able to knock off the Longhorns, but then dropped heartbreakers to Baylor and Oklahoma. The latter featured a failed two-point conversion that nearly ended the Sooners playoff hopes. OKST followed that near miss with a big win over West Virginia, but were then knocked off by TCU to end Big 12 play.
The earned a good match-up in the Liberty Bowl as they took on SEC surprise Missouri. With two great quarterbacks in play, it would be the Cowboys senior, Taylor Cornelius, who outgunned Drew Lock to give OKST a 38-33 victory.
Best Win: West Virginia
Worst Loss: Texas Tech
2017 Finish: 19
The Cowboys came out guns blazing going 3-0 with a win over Power 5 killer Boise State. Then they were lambasted by Texas Tech to start a series of three losses in four games. A bye week helped them gameplan for Texas and they were able to knock off the Longhorns, but then dropped heartbreakers to Baylor and Oklahoma. The latter featured a failed two-point conversion that nearly ended the Sooners playoff hopes. OKST followed that near miss with a big win over West Virginia, but were then knocked off by TCU to end Big 12 play.
The earned a good match-up in the Liberty Bowl as they took on SEC surprise Missouri. With two great quarterbacks in play, it would be the Cowboys senior, Taylor Cornelius, who outgunned Drew Lock to give OKST a 38-33 victory.
Best Win: West Virginia
Worst Loss: Texas Tech
2017 Finish: 19
56.)
Southern Miss (6-5, 88.5 WP, 46.4 LP)
Unlike the other teams that had their games cancelled because of weather throughout the year, Southern Miss elected to just play an 11 game schedule. The Eagles won three of their last four including victories over some of Conference USA's better teams in Marshall and Louisiana Tech. However, they also had tough losses to Louisiana Monroe and Charlotte.
In the end Southern Miss would be the only team with a winning record left out of the bowl season. It was the first time the Eagles failed to make a bowl since 2014.
Best Win: Marshall
Worst Loss: Charlotte
2017 Finish: 48
Unlike the other teams that had their games cancelled because of weather throughout the year, Southern Miss elected to just play an 11 game schedule. The Eagles won three of their last four including victories over some of Conference USA's better teams in Marshall and Louisiana Tech. However, they also had tough losses to Louisiana Monroe and Charlotte.
In the end Southern Miss would be the only team with a winning record left out of the bowl season. It was the first time the Eagles failed to make a bowl since 2014.
Best Win: Marshall
Worst Loss: Charlotte
2017 Finish: 48
55.)
Memphis (8-6, 98.5 WP, 68.5 LP)
The Tigers featured some of the greatest talent on the offensive side of the football including Darrell Henderson, who if he had played in the bowl game, could've amassed over 2,000 yards. Twice this season they had UCF on the ropes to try and take reign of the AAC, but came up short. Memphis also had some head scratching losses to the likes of Navy and Tulane.
The absence of Henderson in the Birmingham Bowl didn't seem to effect the Tigers as they built a 28-10 lead over Wake Forest. Then the defense that allowed over 30 points in six contests reared their ugly heads. The Demon Deacons stormed back a won 37-34.
Henderson will not be back next season as he leaves early for the draft, but many of the pieces in the offense are Juniors and if they decide to stay, Memphis could rule the AAC in 2019.
Best Win: Houston
Worst Loss: Navy
2017 Finish: 22
Memphis (8-6, 98.5 WP, 68.5 LP)The Tigers featured some of the greatest talent on the offensive side of the football including Darrell Henderson, who if he had played in the bowl game, could've amassed over 2,000 yards. Twice this season they had UCF on the ropes to try and take reign of the AAC, but came up short. Memphis also had some head scratching losses to the likes of Navy and Tulane.
The absence of Henderson in the Birmingham Bowl didn't seem to effect the Tigers as they built a 28-10 lead over Wake Forest. Then the defense that allowed over 30 points in six contests reared their ugly heads. The Demon Deacons stormed back a won 37-34.
Henderson will not be back next season as he leaves early for the draft, but many of the pieces in the offense are Juniors and if they decide to stay, Memphis could rule the AAC in 2019.
Best Win: Houston
Worst Loss: Navy
2017 Finish: 22
54.)
Hawai'i (8-6, 90.8 WP, 53.7 LP)
The Rainbow Warriors put up points and wins to start the season as Cole McDonald was throwing the ball at will. At 6-1, Hawai'i was just one win away from bowl eligibility because of their 13 game schedule. Four straight losses had them facing disaster before a win over UNLV gave them seven wins.A missed two-point try by San Diego State in the finale gave them an eight win season for the first time since 2010 which was also their last winning season when they went 10-4.
Staying at home for their bowl game, the Rainbow Warriors awaited former WAC foe Louisiana Tech, which was formerly the farthest distance between conference opponents. The Bulldogs wanted to make up for their long trip by throttling Hawai'i on their home field, 31-14.
Best Win: San Diego State
Worst Loss: BYU
2017 Finish: 116
The Rainbow Warriors put up points and wins to start the season as Cole McDonald was throwing the ball at will. At 6-1, Hawai'i was just one win away from bowl eligibility because of their 13 game schedule. Four straight losses had them facing disaster before a win over UNLV gave them seven wins.A missed two-point try by San Diego State in the finale gave them an eight win season for the first time since 2010 which was also their last winning season when they went 10-4.
Staying at home for their bowl game, the Rainbow Warriors awaited former WAC foe Louisiana Tech, which was formerly the farthest distance between conference opponents. The Bulldogs wanted to make up for their long trip by throttling Hawai'i on their home field, 31-14.
Best Win: San Diego State
Worst Loss: BYU
2017 Finish: 116
53.)
Middle Tennessee State (8-6, 88.9 WP, 39.3 LP)
The final season for the father-son duo of coach Rick Stockstill and son Brent was one of the better stories of the year. The two lead the Blue Raiders to an 8-4 finish and a spot in the Conference USA Championship after beating UAB, 27-3. MTST faced the Blazers in the championship game and this time came up short 27-25.
The Blue Raiders got off to a good start against Appalachian State before the Mountaineers imposed their will an ended the season for MTST with a 45-10 drubbing. Now they will have to search for a new QB after Stockstill led them to four straight bowl appearances and left the school as the All-Time leader in TD passes.
Best Win: UAB
Worst Loss: FIU
2017 Finish: 67
Middle Tennessee State (8-6, 88.9 WP, 39.3 LP)The final season for the father-son duo of coach Rick Stockstill and son Brent was one of the better stories of the year. The two lead the Blue Raiders to an 8-4 finish and a spot in the Conference USA Championship after beating UAB, 27-3. MTST faced the Blazers in the championship game and this time came up short 27-25.
The Blue Raiders got off to a good start against Appalachian State before the Mountaineers imposed their will an ended the season for MTST with a 45-10 drubbing. Now they will have to search for a new QB after Stockstill led them to four straight bowl appearances and left the school as the All-Time leader in TD passes.
Best Win: UAB
Worst Loss: FIU
2017 Finish: 67
52.)
Northern Illinois (8-6, 72.6 WP, 61 LP)
A tough non conference schedule had the Huskies out to a 1-3 start before they rattled off six straight wins including a tough road victory over BYU. With the MAC West secured, NIU slipped near the end with back-to-back losses heading into the MAC Championship. The Huskies overcame a 19 point deficit in the final 16 minutes to upset Buffalo to claim their fourth MAC title.
NIU has been to the most MAC Championship games (8) and trail only former MAC foe Marshall for most MAC crowns (5).
The Huskies then headed off to face Conference USA Champs, UAB, in the Boca Raton Bowl. The Blazers made quick work of NIU for their first bowl victory ever. Meanwhile, Rod Carey is now 0-6 in bowl games since he took over in 2012.
Best Win: Buffalo
Worst Loss: Miami (OH)
2017 Finish: 49
Northern Illinois (8-6, 72.6 WP, 61 LP)A tough non conference schedule had the Huskies out to a 1-3 start before they rattled off six straight wins including a tough road victory over BYU. With the MAC West secured, NIU slipped near the end with back-to-back losses heading into the MAC Championship. The Huskies overcame a 19 point deficit in the final 16 minutes to upset Buffalo to claim their fourth MAC title.
NIU has been to the most MAC Championship games (8) and trail only former MAC foe Marshall for most MAC crowns (5).
The Huskies then headed off to face Conference USA Champs, UAB, in the Boca Raton Bowl. The Blazers made quick work of NIU for their first bowl victory ever. Meanwhile, Rod Carey is now 0-6 in bowl games since he took over in 2012.
Best Win: Buffalo
Worst Loss: Miami (OH)
2017 Finish: 49
51.)
Boston College (7-5, 80 WP, 50.2 LP)
A team that was hard to figure out this year, the Eagles wowed the nation with a offensive explosion against Wake Forest to jump out to a 3-0 start and a Top 25 appearance. Just as they did to Ohio State weeks later, Purdue crashed the party and shutdown the high octane Eagles 30-13. At 7-2 they jumped back into the rankings for a pivotal showdown with Clemson and were easily handled by the Tigers. That led to three straight conferences losses to wrap up the season.
Boston College looked good to start the First Responder Bowl against Boise State, but then the weather had other ideas. A delay that lasted nearly an hour and a half would end in a cancellation of the contest and both schools would go home without a victory to salvage their seasons.
Best Win: Miami (FL)
Worst Loss: Florida State
2017 Finish: 61
A team that was hard to figure out this year, the Eagles wowed the nation with a offensive explosion against Wake Forest to jump out to a 3-0 start and a Top 25 appearance. Just as they did to Ohio State weeks later, Purdue crashed the party and shutdown the high octane Eagles 30-13. At 7-2 they jumped back into the rankings for a pivotal showdown with Clemson and were easily handled by the Tigers. That led to three straight conferences losses to wrap up the season.
Boston College looked good to start the First Responder Bowl against Boise State, but then the weather had other ideas. A delay that lasted nearly an hour and a half would end in a cancellation of the contest and both schools would go home without a victory to salvage their seasons.
Best Win: Miami (FL)
Worst Loss: Florida State
2017 Finish: 61
No comments:
Post a Comment