Some of the elite teams in the past ten years are a part of this list because they couldn't put it together for a whole decade. Historic programs that fell also take a big chunk of this list, while Baylor and Temple made meteoric rises. These teams are separated by just the slimmest of margins.
50.)
Air Force (Average Rank: 54.9, Previous Decade: 55.3)
The Falcons made seven trips to a bowl game and won four Commander-In-Chief's Trophies. Troy Calhoun has been the man since 2007 and Air Force was able to right the ship after two-straight losing seasons with a 10 win campaign in 2019.
49.)Arizona State (AR: 54.1, PD: 57)
The Sun Devils had a strong decade with eight bowl appearances and ranked a high as No. 7 in 2014. Despite a falling out with Todd Graham, ASU found a strong replacement in Herm Edwards, who has guided the team to some big upsets and also cracking the Top 25 in both seasons.
48.)Nebraska (AR:53.6, PD: 34.8)
The Cornhuskers played their final season in the Big 12 in 2010 and stayed strong in their transition to the Big Ten by posting seven straight 9+ win seasons. They made nine straight bowl appearances, but then the unthinkable happened in 2017, Nebraska became really bad. That season they finished 4-8 that included a loss to Northern Illinois. It was their worst season since 1961, but things actually went downhill after they fired Mike Riley and brought in UCF coach and former Nebraska quarterback, Scott Frost. Under Frost, the Huskers lost their first six games, including a shocker to Troy. They have posted three consecutive losing seasons now and that hasn't happened since they had six straight losing seasons from 1956-61.
The Cornhuskers played their final season in the Big 12 in 2010 and stayed strong in their transition to the Big Ten by posting seven straight 9+ win seasons. They made nine straight bowl appearances, but then the unthinkable happened in 2017, Nebraska became really bad. That season they finished 4-8 that included a loss to Northern Illinois. It was their worst season since 1961, but things actually went downhill after they fired Mike Riley and brought in UCF coach and former Nebraska quarterback, Scott Frost. Under Frost, the Huskers lost their first six games, including a shocker to Troy. They have posted three consecutive losing seasons now and that hasn't happened since they had six straight losing seasons from 1956-61.
47.)Temple (AR:53, PD: 93)
The Owls had one of the biggest jumps from the previous decade. In the 2000's, Temple was booted out of the Big East, played as an independent, and eventually joined the MAC. In 2012 they left the MAC,rejoined the Big East, and then the following year joined the newly created AAC. Al Golden (Miami, FL), Steve Adazzio (Boston College), Matt Rhule (Baylor), and Geoff Collins (Georgia Tech), all found bowl success as they made six bowl appearances in eight bowl eligible seasons. Rod Carey replaced Manny Diaz who left after two weeks to take the Miami (FL) job instead. He finished the decade with a bowl loss to UNC in the Military Bowl.
The Owls had one of the biggest jumps from the previous decade. In the 2000's, Temple was booted out of the Big East, played as an independent, and eventually joined the MAC. In 2012 they left the MAC,rejoined the Big East, and then the following year joined the newly created AAC. Al Golden (Miami, FL), Steve Adazzio (Boston College), Matt Rhule (Baylor), and Geoff Collins (Georgia Tech), all found bowl success as they made six bowl appearances in eight bowl eligible seasons. Rod Carey replaced Manny Diaz who left after two weeks to take the Miami (FL) job instead. He finished the decade with a bowl loss to UNC in the Military Bowl.
46.)Missouri (AR:52.4, PD: 53.2)
The Tigers appeared in just six bowl games throughout the decade, thanks in part to a bowl ban that was upheld this season to prevent a bowl eligible Missouri team from appearing. They had three 10+ win seasons from 2010-14 and were ranked as high as fifth. Gary Pinkel left in 2015 after announcing a diagnosis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and finished as not only the winningest coach at Mizzou, but also Toledo. Barry Odom was fired after this season and former Appalachian State coach Eli Drinkwitz will lead the Tigers into the next decade.
45.)West Virginia (AR:51.7, PD:30.2)
The Mountaineers were a fun team to watch no matter if they played in the Big East or Big 12. Dana Holgorsen was the head man for eight seasons and was responsible for seven of the eight bowl appearances. He surprised everyone by taking the Houston job, leaving former Troy head coach Neal Brown as the new man in charge. West Virginia struggled to a 5-7 finish to close out the decade.
45.)West Virginia (AR:51.7, PD:30.2)
The Mountaineers were a fun team to watch no matter if they played in the Big East or Big 12. Dana Holgorsen was the head man for eight seasons and was responsible for seven of the eight bowl appearances. He surprised everyone by taking the Houston job, leaving former Troy head coach Neal Brown as the new man in charge. West Virginia struggled to a 5-7 finish to close out the decade.
44.)Miami (AR: 51.3, PD:26.5)
A powerhouse in the early 2000's, the Hurricanes haven't been able to recover from the Randy Shannon era from 2007-2010 when they went 28-23. Al Golden was fired in the middle of his fifth season and Mark Richt retired after three seasons, including the lone 10 win season of the decade. Manny Diaz initially took the Temple job, but left two weeks later after Richt announced his was leaving. The Hurricanes struggled under Diaz to close out the decade with and embarrassing loss in the Independence Bowl to finish 6-7.
43.)Louisiana Tech (AR:50.9, PD:73.7)
The Bulldogs have found great success under Skip Holtz, who has guided them to six straight bowl wins in his first seven seasons. The most recent victory was a dominating 14-0 performance of Miami (FL) that ending up getting the Hurricanes offensive coordinator fired. Sonny Dykes led the way for the first three seasons with one bowl appearance, but had a chance for another in 2012. Hoping for a better bowl bid, the Bulldogs kept the Independence Bowl waiting, but took too long to answer and their spot was given away to Ohio.
42.)Iowa (AR:50.5, PD:39.8)
The Hawkeyes are one of most consistent teams in the Big Ten that has never won anything, but is always a tough game. Kirk Ferentz has continued in the footsteps of his mentor Hayden Fry, who recently passed away. Iowa honored him with their uniforms in the Holiday Bowl and won their third straight bowl in their ninth appearance of the decade to finish with their second double digit win season.
The Hawkeyes are one of most consistent teams in the Big Ten that has never won anything, but is always a tough game. Kirk Ferentz has continued in the footsteps of his mentor Hayden Fry, who recently passed away. Iowa honored him with their uniforms in the Holiday Bowl and won their third straight bowl in their ninth appearance of the decade to finish with their second double digit win season.
41.)Houston (AR:49.9, PD: 62.2)
The Cougars were one of the top Group of 5 teams in the decade as they posted two 13-1 seasons and made three appearances in the AP Top 10. Four coaches led Houston to eight bowl games with Tom Herman claiming the biggest win in the Peach Bowl. Herman left for Texas, Kevin Sumlin headed for Texas A&M, while Tony Levine and Major Applewhite were shown the door after just three seasons each. Former offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen left a head coaching job at West Virginia to return to become the fifth head coach of the decade, but his results were more than disappointing at 4-8.
The Cougars were one of the top Group of 5 teams in the decade as they posted two 13-1 seasons and made three appearances in the AP Top 10. Four coaches led Houston to eight bowl games with Tom Herman claiming the biggest win in the Peach Bowl. Herman left for Texas, Kevin Sumlin headed for Texas A&M, while Tony Levine and Major Applewhite were shown the door after just three seasons each. Former offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen left a head coaching job at West Virginia to return to become the fifth head coach of the decade, but his results were more than disappointing at 4-8.
40.)
Marshall (AR:49.6, PD: 57.9)
The Thundering Herd had great consistency throughout the decade thanks in part to Doc Holliday staying as the head coach for all ten years. He finally had his six bowl game win streak snapped against UCF in the Gasparilla Bowl this year. Marshall had three 10+ win seasons including a 13-1 finish in 2014 with their only blemish coming in a wild 67-66 loss to Western Kentucky.
The Thundering Herd had great consistency throughout the decade thanks in part to Doc Holliday staying as the head coach for all ten years. He finally had his six bowl game win streak snapped against UCF in the Gasparilla Bowl this year. Marshall had three 10+ win seasons including a 13-1 finish in 2014 with their only blemish coming in a wild 67-66 loss to Western Kentucky.
39.)South Carolina (AR:49.5, PD: 53)
"The Old Ball Coach" had the Gamecocks humming in the first half of the decade including three straight 11-2 seasons. Steve Spurrier ended his 11 year run on a sour note when he resigned in the middle of a 3-9 season. Will Muschamp took over and led South Carolina to three straight bowl games and their eighth appearance overall, but once again, a sour note ended the decade with a 4-8 season.
38.)BYU (AR:49.5, PD:40.4)
The Cougars have found great results after leaving the Mountain West to become an independent back in 2011. BYU has made nine bowl games in the decade under Bronco Mendenhall and Kalani Sitake, but they ended the decade on a sour note, with a loss to rival Hawai'i for the first time since 2001 in the Hawai'i Bowl.
37.)Arkansas State (AR:48.9, PD:81.1)
The Red Wolves have now appeared in nine straight bowl games and capped the decade off with a win over FIU. Arkansas State has done so despite a revolving door of coaches leaving for the SEC. Hugh Freeze went 10-3 before heading to Ole Miss while his replacement, Gus Malzahn, went to Auburn after a 9-3 run. Even Malzahn's replacement was short lived as Bryan Harsin went 7-5 and then left for Boise State before they found their guy in Blake Anderson, who has been the coach for the last six seasons.
36.)Navy (AR:48.6, PD:55.8)
Ken Niumatalolo picked up where Paul Johnson left off in 2007 and has guided the Midshipmen to eight bowl games in the decade. In 2015, Navy did something they had never done in school history for football, join a conference. They became members of the very competitive AAC and made the Championship Game in 2016. The Midshipmen entered the game at 9-2, but lost the final three games they played, including their first loss to Army since 2001. They would end up losing three straight to the Black Knights before winning this season.
35.)Cincinnati (AR:48.4, PD:44.7)
The Bearcats made seven bowl games and had four 10+ win seasons. Butch Jones and Luke Fickell both had two of those big seasons with Fickell's squad going for 11 wins in back-to-back seasons with an opportunity to do so in the Birmingham Bowl.
34.)Ohio (AR:47.4, PD:76.3)
The Bobcats are one of the few teams in the country to not post a losing season throughout the decade (they're currently 6-6 with a bowl game to play) and also held on to their coach. Frank Solich has guided Ohio to nine bowl this decade and at 76 has no signs of slowing down. He's led the Bobcats to four MAC Championship Games (2006, 2009, 2011, 2016), but is 0-4. On Nov. 19, 2019, Solich became the winningest coach in MAC history with 111th and win 112 got Ohio bowl eligible for the eleventh straight season.
The Bobcats are one of the few teams in the country to not post a losing season throughout the decade (they're currently 6-6 with a bowl game to play) and also held on to their coach. Frank Solich has guided Ohio to nine bowl this decade and at 76 has no signs of slowing down. He's led the Bobcats to four MAC Championship Games (2006, 2009, 2011, 2016), but is 0-4. On Nov. 19, 2019, Solich became the winningest coach in MAC history with 111th and win 112 got Ohio bowl eligible for the eleventh straight season.
33.)Mississippi State (AR:46, PD:85.6)
Dan Mullen created a force to be reckoned with in the SEC. The Bulldogs made a bowl game for the entire decade, something they had never accomplished before. They were ranked as high as No. 1 in 2014 before losing to Alabama and then dropping their final two games. Joe Moorhead took over for Mullen in 2018 after he left for Florida. Mississippi State was in danger of having their streak end this season, but a costly celebration penalty by Ole Miss in the Egg Bowl allowed them to sneak away with a 21-20 victory and a 6-6 season.
32.)Kansas State (AR:44.5, PD:54.8)
Bill Snyder returned to the program in 2009 after coaching the team from 1989-2005. He had the Wildcats ranked as high as No. 2 in 2012 and led them to eight straight bowl appearances before they finished 5-7 in his final season. In 2019, Chris Klieman left the FCS powerhouse North Dakota State to lead Kansas State. He picked up his first signature win by handing Oklahoma their only loss of the season and guided the Wildcats to a Liberty Bowl appearance.
31.)Louisville (AR:44.5, PD:36.7)
The Cardinals were all over the place in the 2010's. In conference they went from the Big East to the American and finally to the ACC in 2014. They had a Heisman Trophy winner in Lamar Jackson, but as soon as he left, Louisville finished 2-10 and allowed 44 points per game, including 77 to Clemson. Charlie Strong headed for Texas after four winning seasons while Bobby Petrino returned for four winning seasons before he was fired amid the disastrous 2018 campaign. Appalachian State coach Scott Satterfield took the job this season and got Louisville back on track and in their ninth bowl game of the decade.
30.)
Virginia Tech (AR:44.2, PD:17)
This decade saw the end of the Frank Beamer era, who retired after 29 seasons in 2015. Not ending under Justin Fuente was the Hokies bowl streak that now has a chance to span over four decades. The last time Virginia Tech didn't make a bowl was in 1992 and they have a chance to notch their fifth 9+ win season with a victory in the Belk Bowl.
30.)
This decade saw the end of the Frank Beamer era, who retired after 29 seasons in 2015. Not ending under Justin Fuente was the Hokies bowl streak that now has a chance to span over four decades. The last time Virginia Tech didn't make a bowl was in 1992 and they have a chance to notch their fifth 9+ win season with a victory in the Belk Bowl.
29.)Baylor (AR:43.3,PD:97.2)
Art Briles guided the Bears to seven straight bowls and they were once ranked as high as No. 2 in 2015, but a sexual assault scandal involving members of the football program led to his termination. His replacement Matt Rhule broke the bowl streak after several players left the team and they finished 1-11. They bounced back the next two seasons with bowl appearances and Baylor made its first appearance in the Big 12 Championship this season, but they couldn't avenge their only loss to Oklahoma.
28.)Florida (AR:43.3, PD:19.5)
The Gators had their worst decade since the 1970's despite having four 10+ win seasons. They won two National Championships in the previous decade, so it was bound to be a let down, but Florida finished with two losing seasons and lost to Kentucky (2018) for the first time since 1986. Dan Mullen has them back on the right track, going 20-5 in his first two seasons, but the decade began with Urban Meyer's final season. Meyer was replaced by Will Muschamp who was out after four years, while Jim McElwain was shown the door despite a 22-12 record. They had a streak of bowl appearances since 1991 snapped in 2012.
The Gators had their worst decade since the 1970's despite having four 10+ win seasons. They won two National Championships in the previous decade, so it was bound to be a let down, but Florida finished with two losing seasons and lost to Kentucky (2018) for the first time since 1986. Dan Mullen has them back on the right track, going 20-5 in his first two seasons, but the decade began with Urban Meyer's final season. Meyer was replaced by Will Muschamp who was out after four years, while Jim McElwain was shown the door despite a 22-12 record. They had a streak of bowl appearances since 1991 snapped in 2012.
27.)Washington (AR:43.2, PD:75.9)
After an abysmal decade in the 2000's where they had three seasons of two wins or fewer, the Huskies bounced back under Steve Sarkisian before he left for USC. Former Boise State boss Chris Petersen continued the roll and Washington made a bowl in all ten seasons. The best years came from 2016-18 when they won two PAC-12 Championships and made three straight New Year's Six bowls. Petersen announced his retirement at the end of this season and won his final game, appropriately over Boise State.
After an abysmal decade in the 2000's where they had three seasons of two wins or fewer, the Huskies bounced back under Steve Sarkisian before he left for USC. Former Boise State boss Chris Petersen continued the roll and Washington made a bowl in all ten seasons. The best years came from 2016-18 when they won two PAC-12 Championships and made three straight New Year's Six bowls. Petersen announced his retirement at the end of this season and won his final game, appropriately over Boise State.
26.)
TCU (AR:40.7, PD:27.6)The Horned Frogs made the jump from the Mountain West to the Big 12 and made eight bowl appearances in the decade. The biggest came as a member of the MWC when they finished 13-0 and got a Rose Bowl win. Gary Patterson has now put in 20 years at TCU and they finished with five seasons this decade of 11+ wins.
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