Final Rankings 60-51: Ballers of the Beehive State and the Midwest

We've now reached beyond the midway point and as these are the teams that fell just outside the coveted Top 50 programs of 2019. These rankings also feature the first conference champion on the list as well as the Liberty Flames, who won their first bowl game in their first appearance. Indiana also had their best season since 1993 while BYU lost to Hawai'i for the first time since 2001.
Here's the list in full:
60.) Utah State (7-6, 82.1 WP, 46.7 LP)
The Aggies couldn't repeat their strong 2018 performance, but still had some nice moments, starting with a near win at Wake Forest on the road. After a rocky middle of the season, Utah State bounced back with back-to-back wins over Fresno State and Wyoming to become bowl eligible. They played Kent State in the Frisco Bowl, and while they dropped 41 points, it still wasn't enough to keep up with the Golden Flashes, who won their first bowl game ever. In his second stint with the Aggies, Gary Andersen will have the task of finding the replacement for the talented Jordan Love, who will be playing in the upcoming Senior Bowl.
Best Win: Wyoming
Worst Loss: Kent State
2018 Finish: 11-2 (New Mexico Bowl), No. 12

59.) Michigan State (7-6, 80.3 WP, 23.2 LP)
The Spartans got off to a 4-1 start, but a rough patch of Ohio State, Wisconsin, and Penn State put them at 4-4. With a chance to end the streak, they instead lost to Illinois and were throttled by Michigan. Luckily Rutgers and Maryland were left on the schedule and MSU salvaged a bowl bid and Mark Dantonio's job. The Spartans earned a trip to Yankee Stadium and found their offensive rhythm against Wake Forest to finish the season on a three game win streak.
Best Win: Wake Forest
Worst Loss: Illinois
2018 Finish: 7-6 (Redbox Bowl), No. 58

58.) Iowa State (7-6, 75 WP, 25.2 LP)
The Cyclones were once again a thorn in the side of Big 12 opponents, but didn't have enough firepower to get the job done. After nearly losing in overtime to Northern Iowa (FCS), the followed that up with a one-point loss to Iowa. Then came a two-point loss to Baylor, they were within a touchdown against Oklahoma State, and missed a two-point try against Oklahoma to lose by one. Still they won the games they needed to including a two-point victory against Texas to become bowl eligible. They met Notre Dame in the Camping World Bowl, but unlike their close calls, this one was ugly fast at the Irish rolled to a 33-9 win.
Best Win: Texas
Worst Loss: Oklahoma State
2018 Finish: 8-5 (Alamo Bowl), No. 39

57.) BYU (7-6, 70.7 WP, 50.5 LP)
Despite injuries to their quarterbacks, the Cougars, like the Cyclones, were not a team you wanted to face in 2019. After a disappointing loss to Utah, they hit the road and beat Tennessee in double overtime and then USC in a single overtime. Then inexplicably they dropped games against Toledo and USF. BYU rebounded with a big win over ranked Boise State and then wins over bowl bound Utah State and Liberty. They earned a trip to the Hawai'i Bowl against the Rainbow Warriors, whom they had a long winning streak against. However, one play prevented the Cougars from going up by seven and it would take a late Hawai'i score to win 38-34 and snap BYU's streak.
Best Win: USC
Worst Loss: USF
2018 Finish: 7-6 (Famous Idaho Potato Bowl), No. 59

56.) Central Michigan (8-6, 98.4 WP, 63.8 LP)
The best turnaround in 2019, the Chippewa's went from dead last at 1-11 to MAC West Champions. Under new coach Jim McElwain, CMU romped through the MAC and nearly added Miami (FL) to their win tally in a 17-12 loss. However, a loss to Western Michigan had them at the mercy of the final week. CMU needed to beat Toledo and WMU had to lose to Northern Illinois. Both happened and it set up a MAC Championship showdown with Miami (OH). The Chips got a late touchdown and an onside kick recovery to make it interesting, but the Redhawks held on to win 26-21. CMU settled for a New Mexico Bowl appearance against San Diego State, but the Aztecs overpowered them in a 48-11 beatdown.
Best Win: Toledo
Worst Loss: Western Michigan
2018 Finish: 1-11, No. 130

55.) Miami, OH (8-6, 96.8 WP, 46.8 LP)
The Redhawks turned around a rough 2-4 start that included a 76-5 drubbing at Ohio State and came back to win the MAC East thanks to a 5-0 record against their half of the conference. Miami had to cling on to a victory in the MAC Championship over CMU for their third title in school history and first since 2010. They earned a bid in the penultimate game of the season, in the Lending Tree Bowl against Sun Belt runner-up Louisiana. They were unable to rally against the Ragin' Cajuns who went on to win 27-17.
Best Win: Buffalo
Worst Loss: Ball State
2018 Finish: 6-6, No. 76

54.) Liberty (8-5, 107.4 WP, 70.4 LP)
The Flames entered their second season in the FBS with a brand new head coach. Turner Gill stepped down to be with his family and he was replaced by former Ole Miss outcast Hugh Freeze. Liberty got out of the gates quickly after an 0-2 start they went on a five game winning streak, but were one of the few wins recorded by Rutgers. A win over UMass made them bowl eligible and their second win over New Mexico State ensured their first bowl appearance. The Flames met Georgia Southern, who had just appeared in their first bowl the season before, winning the Camellia Bowl against EMU. Liberty ensured it wouldn't be back-to-back bowl wins for the Eagles as they built a big lead early that proved insurmountable in the Cure Bowl. Through their first two seasons they have amassed a 14-11 record with one bowl win under their belt, but next year's schedule could prove to be more difficult. In 2020 they'll face four ACC teams and two Conference USA schools that were bowl bound this season.
Best Win: Buffalo
Worst Loss: Rutgers
2018 Finish: 6-6, No. 78

53.) Indiana (8-5, 99 WP, 24.6 LP)
The Hoosiers had their best season since 1993 and jumped out to a 7-2 start and nearly made it 8-2, but fell short against Penn State 34-27. After a pummeling by Michigan, Indiana fought off an epic rally by Purdue and they took the Old Oaken Bucket from Purdue for the first time since 2016 in a 44-41 double overtime win. They earned a spot in the Gator Bowl against Tennessee and the Hoosiers held the lead for a good chunk of the game, but the Volunteers came back to win 23-22, in one of the better attended bowl games of the year.
Best Win: Nebraska
Worst Loss: Michigan State
2018 Finish: 5-7, No. 88

52.) Texas A&M (8-5, 92.3 WP, 8.6 LP)
The Aggies had a tough road to travel, but couldn't pull off the big win and instead of being at the top of the SEC, fell somewhere in the middle. The five losses were a murder's row of Clemson, LSU, Alabama, Georgia, and Auburn. They struggled to beat Arkansas and Ole Miss, but nonetheless took care of business against their weaker opponents to get to seven wins. Texas A&M earned an invite to the Texas Bowl against former Big 12 foe Oklahoma State. The Cowboys jumped out to a 14-0 lead, but the Aggies came roaring back for the their first win over a ranked opponent, 24-21.
Best Win: Oklahoma State
Worst Loss: Auburn
2018 Finish: 9-4 (Gator Bowl), No. 26

51.) Wyoming (8-5, 87.9 WP, 45.2 LP)
After a 6-6 finish in 2018 the Cowboys wanted to make a statement in 2019. They did so right away with a win over Missouri on the road and started the year 4-1. They got to 6-2 with a win over Nevada, but ran into a rough patch in the Mountain West and finished by losing three of their final four. Still, Wyoming earned a bowl spot and spent their New Year's Eve in the Arizona Bowl. There they took it to Georgia State for an easy victory to earn their third eight win season in four years.
Best Win: Missouri
Worst Loss: Tulsa
2018 Finish: 6-6, No. 80