Power Ranking Bowl Games by the Highest Scoring Potential

With 35 bowl games this season, we are going to see a variety of offenses and the best defenses in the nation.

While some people like a defensive game, there are many fans who do not mind seeing some points.

Some people might have enjoyed the national championship game from a year ago, but many fans would like some more offense.

This bowl season will definitely offer plenty of that.

Here is a list of the bowl games from the lowest scoring potential up to the highest.

35. Russell Athletic Bowl: Rutgers vs. Virginia Tech

Rutgers and Virginia Tech are two teams that love to turn the ball over and that could mean a low point total is on the horizon.

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights are one of the best defenses in the country and the Virginia Tech Hokies are also very solid on that side of the ball.

Expect this to be the lowest scoring bowl game of them all, with the possibility of points being scored on the defensive side.

Total Points: 29

34. BCS National Championship: Alabama vs. Notre Dame

This national championship has the potential to be eerily reminiscent of the one fans were forced to witness last season.

There should be a few more points in this game as neither of these defenses are as good as the two who played in this game last year.

With that being said, these are considered to be the top two defenses in the country according to most.

This is going to be very low scoring.

Total Points: 30

33. AllState Sugar Bowl: Louisville vs. Florida

This is another battle of two very talented defenses, and with the exception of possibly Alabama and Notre Dame, Florida has the best group in the country.

Louisville has struggled at times against top defenses and Florida has the talent to almost completely shut the Louisville Cardinals down.

On the other side of the ball, Florida struggles to score points against a lot of teams and Louisville will likely be another one of those teams.

Expect Florida to win, but there will not be a lot of points put up.

Total Points: 34

32. Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl: TCU vs. Michigan State

Michigan State has lost more than a few close, low-scoring games this season. It is very possible this could be yet another one.

TCU has had a solid season, considering all the injuries it has had to play through.

The TCU Horned Frogs do it with a defense that ranks in the top 20 in the country in total yards.

Michigan State has as much talent on that side of the ball as nearly anybody.

Total Points: 36

31. Outback Bowl: South Carolina vs. Michigan

Michigan has struggled to score points against the talented teams on its schedule.

The Outback Bowl against the South Carolina Gamecocks will be no different. The Gamecocks are another of the very talented SEC defenses.

They are only allowing 17.4 points a game, good for No. 13 in the country.

Michigan can also play a little bit of defense of its own, which will make for a relatively low-scoring game.

Total Points: 37

30. Valero Alamo Bowl: Texas vs. Oregon State

Oregon State and Texas are two teams that have had completely opposite seasons.

The Oregon Beavers were not expected to have the success that they had this season. Texas has been a bit of a disappointment and struggled mightily at the end of the year. 

For the Texas Longhorns, quarterback play continues to be a major issue. That does not bode well with a defense like Oregon State heading its way.

Do not expect there to be too many points between two teams from conferences that are certainly no stranger to offense.

Total Points: 38

29. Music City Bowl: North Carolina State vs. Vanderbilt

The Vanderbilt Commodores have come on very strong at the end of the season, winning their final six games of the year.

They have done it with a combination of defense and a solid running game.

North Carolina State has been up and down all year. With a win over Florida State, there is no question the NC State Wolfpack have the potential to beat anybody

Expect both teams to be around 20 points in this one.

Total Points: 40

28. MAACO Bowl Las Vegas: Boise State vs. Washington

Most seasons Boise State wins games with its offense, but this year has been completely different.

The Boise State Broncos have a very talented defense and will be going up against a Washington team that has struggled at times against solid defenses.

Boise State is not the most talented team offensively, but should have enough to beat Washington.

Look for a low-scoring game that could come down to the wire.

Total Points: 41

28. BBVA Compass Bowl: Pittsburgh vs. Ole Miss

The Pittsburgh Panthers won their final two games of the season to become bowl eligible.

Ole Miss has come a long way from the 2-10 campaign it suffered through last season.

These teams are relatively evenly matched, but Ole Miss is the slightly better of the two.

It might be close, but not a lot of points are going to be scored.

Total Points: 41

28. Poinsettia Bowl: BYU vs. San Diego State

San Diego State has been impressive all season long on its way to a 9-3 campaign.

BYU is only 7-5, but has lost some close games to very talented teams. The BYU Cougars have a defense that is very stingy, allowing only 14.7 points a game. That is good for fifth in the nation. 

The San Diego Aztecs can score points and have won seven games in a row.

This should be another close game that will not feature a lot of points.

Total Points: 41

25. Military Bowl: San Jose State vs. Bowling Green

San Jose State and Bowling Green is an intriguing matchup between two teams from completely different parts of the country.

Both are very talented and have come on strong at the end of the season.

The San Jose Spartans might have too much talent for the Bowling Green Falcons, but the Falcons will be able to hang around for most of the game. 

The Falcons are as battle-tested as most teams and will not back down from the nationally ranked Spartans.

Total Points: 44

25. Chick-Fil-a Bowl: LSU vs. Clemson

This game is a battle of the Tigers, and is one of the best of the pre-New Year's Day bowl games.

LSU has one of the most talented defenses in the country and Clemson is no stranger to putting points up.

Clemson did however struggle to score against the talented South Carolina defense.

The LSU group is even better. This will make for a game played in the low-20s for each team.

Total Points: 44

23. Gator Bowl: Mississippi State vs. Northwestern

Mississippi State looked like a possible SEC title contender earlier in the season, but stumbled near the end, finishing the year 8-4.

Northwestern has been very impressive this season and was a few close losses away from possibly playing in the Rose Bowl.

These two teams do it with a balanced offensive attack and a very solid defense. This game will feature that and be played in the 20s.

Total Points: 45

23. Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl: Rice vs. Air Force

This might be one of the least popular bowl games, as it features two teams who are not as talented as a lot of others playing in bowl games.

Rice did win its final four games of the season to get here. The Rice Owls beat who they were supposed to and also knocked off SMU.

Air Force also finished the year 6-6, but lost three of its final four games.

This one might be close, but just does not have the star power of a lot of other bowl games.

Total Points: 45

21. AT&T Cotton Bowl: Texas A&M vs. Oklahoma

This is one of the most intriguing games of the entire bowl season as Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel will take on former Big 12 rival Oklahoma.

The Oklahoma Sooners have a very talented offense, but do not fare as well against competitive defenses.

This will be the final collegiate game for quarterback Landry Jones, and he will have his hands full with a solid Texas A&M Aggies defense.

Look for Manziel and Texas A&M to have a little too much for the Sooners.

Total Points: 47

20. Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Toledo vs. Utah State

Utah State and Toledo are two teams who have had very excellent seasons.

The Utah State Aggies are currently in the top 25 and at one point Toledo was there as well.

At 10-2, the only losses for Utah State have come to Wisconsin and BYU by a combined total of five points.

Toledo struggled toward the end of the season and might have a hard time putting up points against a very good Utah State defense.

Total Points: 48

20. Belk Bowl: Duke vs. Cincinnati

The Duke Blue Devils are not known for being a solid football program, but at 6-6, they are bowl eligible.

The Blue Devils have lost four games in a row after starting the season 6-2, and may be slightly overmatched against a Cincinnati team that shared its fourth Big East title in five seasons.

The Cincinnati Bearcats may still be waiting to join the ACC, but in the meantime, they have dominated the Big East.

At 9-3, Cincinnati will be looking for another 10-win season and should be able to put up some points against Duke.

Total Points: 48

20. Orange Bowl: Northern Illinois vs. Florida State

Northern Illinois is one of the biggest surprises of any team to reach a BCS bowl game.

The Norther Illinois Huskies are currently 12-1 with their only loss coming by one-point against Iowa in the season-opener.

They have one of the most explosive players in the country in quarterback Jordan Lynch and might be able to hang around with the Florida State Seminoles for a little while.

With that being said, Florida State has too much talent and should be able to knock off Northern Illinois by two scores.

Total Points:48

17. AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl: Ohio vs. Louisiana-Monroe

At one point in the season Ohio looked like a possible BCS contender.

By the end of the year, they were not even one of the more dangerous teams in the MAC.

After starting the year 7-0, Ohio finished 8-4, and appears to be headed in the wrong direction.

Louisiana-Monroe made a name for itself with a win early in the season against Arkansas and also finished the year 8-4.

This should be a very evenly matched game where there will be plenty of points to go around.

Total Points: 49

17. Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl: Navy vs. Arizona State

This is certainly not one of the more talked about bowl games, and with the way Arizona State played during its final two games of the season, this one could get ugly.

Navy does have an 8-4 record, but has played an extremely easy schedule this season. The Navy Midshipmen love to run the football, and that will be the key to the game.

The Arizona Sun Devils have a more balanced offensive attack, but either way can put some serious points up.

This one could be a blowout in favor of Arizona State.

Total Points: 49

15. AutoZone Liberty Bowl: Iowa State vs. Tulsa

Tulsa defeated Central Florida in the Conference USA championship game and its reward will be to face the ninth place team in the Big 12.

The Tulsa Golden Hurricanes have no trouble putting points on the board. Iowa State will offer some resistance in this game, but there will still be plenty of points to go around.

Iowa State on the other hand has a very solid defense and sometimes struggles to score points.

They are however battle-tested, having played nine bowl eligible teams, including Tulsa earlier in the season. A game the Iowa State Cyclones won by 15 points.

Total Points: 54

14. Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas: Minnesota vs. Texas Tech

Minnesota is a team very fortunate to reach a bowl game. With an easy Big Ten schedule and a non-conference slate that featured some easy wins, the Minnesota Gophers were able to finish 6-6 and qualify.

Texas Tech will have to rebound from the sudden departure of head coach Tommy Tuberville.

With that being said, there is plenty of talent on offense for Texas Tech to be able to roll over Minnesota.

This game should have no problem going over 50 points.

Total Points: 55

14. Little Caesars Pizza Bowl: Western Kentucky vs. Central Michigan

This is a game featuring two teams that many thought would be shut out of a bowl game, despite becoming bowl eligible.

Western Kentucky and Central Michigan both finished in the middle of their respective conferences, but showed the ability to hang with the big boys all season long.

At 6-6, the Central Michigan Chippewas won their final three games of the season to become bowl eligible. Western Kentucky on the other hand stumbled toward the end, losing three of its final four games to finish 7-5.

This one should be close and feature enough points for fans to enjoy.

Total Points: 55

14. Rose Bowl: Wisconsin vs. Stanford

Wisconsin dominated Nebraska in the Big Ten title game, and if it can play like that, there is a chance to pull off the upset against Stanford.

Even though the Wisconsin Badgers have five losses, they are hitting their stride at just the right time.

Former head coach Barry Alvarez will be running the show and will certainly have his team ready.

Stanford has been solid all season, particularly on defense. The Stanford Cardinals also love to run the football. This will be a battle of who can control the time of possession.

The talent of Stanford should be too much in the end, but there will be points going around all day long.

Total Points: 55

11. Heart of Dallas Bowl: Purdue vs. Oklahoma State

With multiple Big Ten teams ineligible for a bowl game, the 6-6 Purdue Boilermakers managed to get a New Year's Day bowl game.

After starting the season 3-6, Purdue managed to win its final three games of the season to become bowl eligible.

Oklahoma State is its opponent and this one has blowout written all over it.

The Oklahoma Cowboys have one of the most explosive offenses in the country, averaging nearly 45 points a game.

They could get close to that number in this one.

Total Points: 57

10. GoDaddy.com Bowl: Kent State vs. Arkansas State

This game should be very fun to watch as two talented teams square off. It is also the night before the national championship so fans might need something to hold them over.

Kent State is 11-2 and was a double-overtime game away from the Orange Bowl. They have some explosive players, particularly on offense.

Arkansas State started off the season slow with losses at Oregon and Nebraska, but has come on strong toward the end of the year.

The Arkansas State Red Wolves have won seven games in a row and have done it with offense. That should make for a very entertaining bowl game.

Total Points: 58

10. Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl: Ball State vs. Central Florida

Central Florida and Ball State might not be two of the most well-known teams in the country, but their matchup should make for a very entertaining bowl game.

The Ball State Cardinals have been hot toward the end of the season, winning six games to close out the regular season, including victories over Toledo and Ohio.

The Central Florida Knights are another solid team who have four losses this season to the likes of Ohio State, Missouri, and Tulsa (twice).

Both of these teams average over 35 points a game and this game should be played close to those numbers. 

Total Points: 58

10. Capital One Bowl: Georgia vs. Nebraska

After the heartbreak Georgia suffered in the SEC championship game, it will be interesting to see how it responds against Nebraska.

The same can be said for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. After being dismantled by Wisconsin in the Big Ten title game, Nebraska certainly has a lot of questions, particularly surrounding its defense.

Georgia is the clear favorite in this one and should have no trouble putting some serious points on the board.

Nebraska still has enough talent however to hang around for most of this game.

Total Points: 58

7. New Era Pinstripe Bowl: Syracuse vs. West Virginia

This will be the final time Geno Smith will take the field for West Virginia and the senior quarterback will be finishing off a very solid career.

The WVU Mountaineers have much more talent on offense than Syracuse, but the Syracuse Orange are playing very close to home in New York City.

That should make for a very intriguing game.

Syracuse quarterback Ryan Nassib will also be able to showcase his talents one final time. This has shootout written all over it and will be closer than some might anticipate.

Total Points: 59

6. Sheraton Hawaii Bowl: SMU vs. Fresno State

Fresno State has an offense that is one of the best in the country and it is led by star quarterback Derek Carr.

Carr has passed for 3,742 yards with 36 touchdowns and only five interceptions. He has helped lead the Fresno State Bulldogs to a 9-3 record and six straight victories to close out the regular season.

SMU is 6-6 and appears to be completely overmatched. The SMU Mustangs did win their final game of the season against Tulsa to become bowl eligible.

With that being said, it is going to be a long Christmas Eve for the SMU defense.

Total Points: 61

5. Gildan New Mexico Bowl: Nevada vs. Arizona

Arizona and Nevada both love to put points on the board and this game should be the perfect matchup to kick off bowl season. 

Both teams rank in the top 20 in the country, averaging over 37 points a game.

While they will both not likely reach those numbers in this game, it is going to be very close and there will be plenty of points scored.

Expect a shootout to get the bowl season started off.

Total Points: 63

4. New Orleans Bowl: East Carolina vs. Louisiana-Lafayette

East Carolina is one of the premier teams from Conference USA and has turned it on in recent weeks.

The East Carolina Pirates have won three games in a row to finish the regular season 8-4 and have done it with a very strong offense.

Louisiana-Lafayette will be playing very close to home, which should help. The Louisiana-Lafayette Rajin' Cajuns are also 8-4 and have won their final three games of the season.

This team can score some points, averaging nearly 35 a night.

This game will be high-scoring and close.

Total Points: 64

3. Hyundai Sun Bowl: USC vs. Georgia Tech

Even though these two teams only have a combined record of 13-12, this is still a popular bowl game.

The USC Trojans have no problem putting points up and if quarterback Matt Barkley can come back healthy, this will be even more of a blowout.

Georgia Tech is 6-7 and certainly does not deserve to be in this big of a bowl game. But, they are here and will likely have trouble slowing down the talented USC offense.

Expect a three-touchdown Trojan victory and a lot of points scored in this one.

Total Points: 66

2. Holiday Bowl: Baylor vs. UCLA

Any game Baylor plays in is certain to feature a lot of excitement. There are few teams in the country that score points like Baylor, and not many who give up as many as they do.

UCLA has a solid defense, but will not be able to slow down the Baylor Bears too much.

With that being said, UCLA is not going to have any trouble putting points on the board against a very weak Baylor offense.

This is going to be one of the most exciting of all the bowl games for those fans who enjoy points.

Total Points: 72

1. Tostitos Fiesta Bowl: Oregon vs. Kansas State

There was not much question who number one on the list would be.

Oregon is averaging over 50 points a game, good for second in the country and Kansas State also ranks in the top 10, averaging over 40 points a night.

This could be the most anticipated bowl game with the exception of the national championship and should be very fun to watch.

It is going to be very competitive and could come down to who has the ball last.

Total Points: 82

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