College Football Rankings 2015: Power Ranking All 128 FBS Teams After Regular Se
We've reached the end of the college football regular season, with conference championships won and 80 bowl bids handed out. All that's left to do is rank the 128 FBS schools one more time before 2015 is complete.
The Bleacher Report power rankings are comprised of an average of five sources: B/R's weekly Top 25, the Associated Press Top 25, the Amway Coaches Poll, ratings guru Jeff Sagarin's computer rankings and the author's personal rankings for every FBS school. The top 50 teams are broken down individually, while the rest of the 128 FBS teams are summarized in a few easy-to-digest chunks.
Check out where everyone ranks at the end of the regular season, and then give us your thoughts in the comments section.
Nos. 128-91
1 of 53
Georgia State had won one game in its first two seasons of FBS play, but thanks to a four-game win streak, the Panthers will be playing in a bowl. A 34-7 win at Georgia Southern on Saturday locked up a spot in the Cure Bowl in Orlando, Florida, where they'll play San Jose State on Dec. 19.
- 128. Charlotte 49ers (2-10, 0-8 Conference USA)
- 127. Eastern Michigan Eagles (1-11, 0-8 Mid-American)
- 126. North Texas Mean Green (1-11, 1-7 Conference USA)
- 125. UCF Knights (0-12, 0-8 American)
- 124. Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks (2-11, 1-7 Sun Belt)
- 123. Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (3-10, 0-8 Mountain West)
- 122. New Mexico State Aggies (3-9, 3-5 Sun Belt)
- 121. Texas State Bobcats (3-9, 2-6 Sun Belt)
- 120. Miami (Ohio) RedHawks (3-9, 2-6 Mid-American)
- 119. Wyoming Cowboys (2-10, 2-6 Mountain West)
- 118. Kent State Golden Flashes (3-9, 2-6 Mid-American)
- 117. Kansas Jayhawks (0-12, 0-9 Big 12)
- 116. Army Black Knights (2-9)
- 115. UTSA Roadrunners (3-9, 3-5 Conference USA)
- 114. UTEP Miners (5-7, 3-5 Conference USA)
- 113. Tulane Green Wave (3-9, 1-7 American)
- 112. Idaho Vandals (4-8, 3-5 Sun Belt)
- 111. Old Dominion Monarchs (5-7, 3-5 Conference USA)
- 110. Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns (4-8, 3-5 Sun Belt)
- 109. UNLV Runnin' Rebels (3-9, 2-6 Mountain West)
- 108. Massachusetts Minutemen (3-9, 2-6 Mid-American)
- 107. Ball State Cardinals (3-9, 2-6 Mid-American)
- 106. Florida Atlantic Owls (3-9, 3-5 Conference USA)
- 105. Fresno State Bulldogs (3-9, 2-6 Mountain West)
- 104. SMU Mustangs (2-10, 1-7 American)
- 103. Rice Owls (5-7, 3-5 Conference USA)
- 102. South Alabama Jaguars (5-7, 3-5 Sun Belt)
- 101. Florida International Golden Panthers (5-7, 3-5 Conference USA)
- 99. (tie) Troy Trojans (4-8, 3-5 Sun Belt)
- 99. (tie) Oregon State Beavers (2-10, 0-9 Pac-12)
- 98. Buffalo Bulls (5-7, 3-5 Mid-American)
- 97. Purdue Boilermakers (2-10, 1-7 Big Ten)
- 96. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (4-8, 1-7 Big Ten)
- 95. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (3-9, 1-7 ACC)
- 94. Colorado Buffaloes (4-9, 1-8 Pac-12)
- 93. Georgia State Panthers (6-6, 5-3 Sun Belt)
- 92. San Jose State Spartans (5-7, 4-4 Conference USA)
- 91. Boston College Eagles (3-9, 0-8 ACC)
Nos. 90-61
2 of 53
If you're looking for a sign that the bowl season might have jumped the shark, look no further than the inaugural Arizona Bowl. One of two new games added to the bowl lineup for 2015, it was supposed to pit teams from Conference USA and the Mountain West against each other in Tucson, Arizona. It got that half right.
Colorado State and Nevada, teams from opposite sides of the Mountain West, will face off in the first matchup of conference opponents in a non-championship postseason game since 1979, per ESPN's Brett McMurphy.
Only 77 teams reached the six-win threshold this season, so three 5-7 schools were allowed to accept bowl invites. Two of those, Big Ten schools Minnesota and Nebraska, filled slots in the Foster Farms and Quick Lane Bowls that the conference had affiliations with, leading to the all-MWC bowl pairing.
- 90. Vanderbilt Commodores (4-8, 2-6 SEC)
- 89. New Mexico Lobos (7-5, 5-3 Mountain West)
- 87. (tie) Akron Zips (7-5, 5-3 Mid-American)
- 87. (tie) Nevada Wolf Pack (6-6, 4-4 Mountain West)
- 86. Maryland Terrapins (3-9, 1-7 Big Ten)
- 84. (tie) Tulsa Golden Hurricane (6-6, 3-5 American)
- 84. (tie) Syracuse (4-8, 2-6 ACC)
- 83. Kentucky Wildcats (5-7, 2-6 SEC)
- 80. (tie) Virginia Cavaliers (4-8, 3-5 ACC)
- 80. (tie) South Carolina Gamecocks (3-9, 1-7 SEC)
- 80. (tie) East Carolina Pirates (5-7, 3-5 American)
- 79. Connecticut Huskies (6-6, 4-4 American)
- 78. Ohio Bobcats (8-4, 5-3 Mid-American)
- 76. (tie) Iowa State Cyclones (3-9, 2-7 Big 12)
- 76. (tie) Colorado State Rams (7-5, 5-3 Mountain West)
- 74. (tie) Illinois Fighting Illini (5-7, 2-6 Big Ten)
- 74. (tie) Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (3-9, 1-7 ACC)
- 73. Central Michigan Chippewas (7-5, 6-2 Mid-American)
- 72. Minnesota Golden Gophers (5-7, 2-6 Big Ten)
- 70. (tie) Missouri Tigers (5-7, 1-7 SEC)
- 70. (tie) Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (7-5, 6-2 Conference USA)
- 69. Georgia Southern Eagles (8-4, 6-2 Sun Belt)
- 68. Utah State Aggies (6-6, 5-3 Mountain West)
- 67. Indiana Hoosiers (6-6, 2-6 Big Ten)
- 66. Texas Longhorns (5-7, 4-5 Big 12)
- 64. (tie) Nebraska Cornhuskers (5-7, 3-5 Big Ten)
- 64. (tie) Marshall Thundering Herd (9-3, 6-2 Conference USA)
- 63. Air Force Falcons (8-5, 6-2 Mountain West)
- 62. Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles (9-4, 7-1 Conference USA)
- 61. Western Michigan Broncos (7-5, 6-2 Mid-American)
Nos. 60-51
3 of 53
Kansas State won its third straight game to turn around its season and become bowl-eligible, winning 24-23 at home Saturday against West Virginia. The Wildcats would have been in line to get a bowl invite even with a 5-7 record because of their Academic Progress Rate score, but the victory enabled them to qualify the normal way.
- 60. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (8-4, 6-2 Conference USA)
- 59. Northern Illinois Huskies (8-5, 6-2 Mid-American)
- 56. (tie) Virginia Tech Hokies (6-6, 4-4 ACC)
- 56. (tie) Kansas State Wildcats (6-6, 3-6 Big 12)
- 56. (tie) Duke Blue Devils (7-5, 4-4 ACC)
- 55. Arizona Wildcats (6-6, 3-6 Pac-12)
- 54. Cincinnati Bearcats (7-5, 4-4 American)
- 53. North Carolina State Wolfpack (7-5, 3-5 ACC)
- 52. Boise State Broncos (8-4, 5-3 Mountain West)
- 51. Auburn Tigers (6-6, 2-6 SEC)
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50. Penn State Nittany Lions
4 of 53
Average rating: 48.5
Most recent result: Lost 55-16 at Michigan State
Up next: Jan. 2 vs. Georgia in TaxSlayer Bowl
Penn State (7-5, 4-4 Big Ten) will be playing in a Sunshine State bowl for the first time since 2011, a 37-24 loss to Florida in the Outback Bowl. The Nittany Lions haven't been to Jacksonville since losing to Notre Dame in the 1976 Gator Bowl.
This will be the fifth year in a row that Lions coach James Franklin has gotten his team into a bowl, having taken Vanderbilt to three straight before coming to Penn State last season.
49. Appalachian State Mountaineers
5 of 53
Average rating: 45.83
Most recent result: Won 34-27 at South Alabama
Up next: Dec. 19 vs. Ohio in Camellia Bowl
Appalachian State (10-2, 7-1 Sun Belt) will be making its first-ever bowl appearance after finishing in second place in the conference. It will mark the Mountaineers' first postseason game since 2012, when they lost in the second round of the FCS playoffs.
The Sun Belt Conference is 13-15 all time in bowl games, never winning more than two in one season. Appalachian State, Georgia Southern and Georgia State will be making their bowl debuts for the league.
48. Miami (Florida) Hurricanes
6 of 53
Average rating: 44.5
Most recent result: Won 29-24 at Pittsburgh
Up next: Dec. 26 vs. Washington State in Sun Bowl
Miami (8-4, 5-3 ACC) has found its replacement for the fired Al Golden, bringing in Mark Richt just days after his 15-year tenure with Georgia came to an end. Though he might provide input during bowl preparation, the Hurricanes' first trip to El Paso, Texas, since 2010 will be led by interim coach Larry Scott.
The Hurricanes have lost their last five bowl games, the last victory coming in 2006 against Nevada in the MPC Computers Bowl (now known as the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl).
47. Arizona State Sun Devils
7 of 53
Average rating: 44.0
Most recent result: Lost 48-46 at California
Up next: Jan. 2 vs. West Virginia in Cactus Bowl
Arizona State (6-6, 4-5 Pac-12) will have to wait longer than almost every other school to play its bowl game this season, but it won't have to go very far for the appearance. The Sun Devils' matchup against West Virginia is in Phoenix at Chase Field, home of baseball's Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Cactus Bowl had been held at ASU's Sun Devil Stadium since 2006, but renovation to that facility has moved the game back to the field it was played on from 2000-05. ASU played in the last game held at Chase Field, a 45-40 win over Rutgers.
46. Washington Huskies
8 of 53
Average rating: 42.0
Most recent result: Won 45-10 vs. Washington State
Up next: Dec. 26 vs. Southern Mississippi in Heart of Dallas Bowl
Washington (6-6, 4-5 Pac-12) won its final two games to extend a bowl streak to six years, though this will be its first trip to Texas since the 2011 Alamo Bowl. That game produced the highest-scoring non-overtime bowl ever, a 67-56 win by Baylor.
The Huskies are 1-4 all time in bowls played in Texas, their lone win coming in 1979 when they beat Texas, 14-7, in the Sun Bowl.
45. Arkansas State Red Wolves
9 of 53
Average rating: 41.9
Most recent result: Won 55-17 vs. Texas State
Up next: Dec. 19 vs. Louisiana Tech in New Orleans Bowl
Arkansas State (9-3, 8-0 Sun Belt) takes an eight-game win streak into its fifth straight bowl game, but the first that won't be played in Alabama. The Red Wolves' past four seasons have all ended in the GoDaddy Bowl, where they're 2-2 overall but lost 63-44 last season to Toledo.
Their last appearance in the New Orleans Bowl came in 2005, a 31-19 loss to Southern Mississippi. That's the only time Arkansas State has faced a Conference USA team in a bowl.
43. (tie) Texas Tech Red Raiders
10 of 53
Average rating: 40.0
Most recent result: Won 48-45 at Texas
Up next: Dec. 29 vs. LSU in Texas Bowl
Texas Tech (7-5, 4-5 Big 12) brings the nation's No. 2-ranked scoring offense into its fifth in-state bowl game since 2009, and it's going to need every bit of that attack to counter the nation's top running back.
The Red Raiders will have to deal with Leonard Fournette, who averages more than 158 rushing yards per game. Tech allows 271.8 rushing yards per game with 42 touchdowns, giving up at least 300 yards to six different opponents.
43. (tie) Louisville Cardinals
11 of 53
Average rating: 40.0
Most recent result: Won 38-24 at Kentucky
Up next: Dec. 30 vs. Texas A&M in Music City Bowl
Louisville (7-5, 5-3 ACC) will be playing an SEC team in a bowl game for the second year in a row, though it hopes to do much better than last December's 37-14 loss to Georgia in the Belk Bowl.
This will be the Cardinals' first appearance in the Music City Bowl, though they have played bowl games in Tennessee. The last came in 2004, a 44-40 win over Boise State in the Liberty Bowl.
42. Pittsburgh Panthers
12 of 53
Average rating: 38.67
Most recent result: Lost 29-24 vs. Miami (Florida)
Up next: Dec. 28 vs. Navy in Military Bowl
Pittsburgh (8-4, 6-2 ACC) finished in second place in the Coastal Division under first-year coach Pat Narduzzi, a result that earned it a relatively close bowl game but one where it will essentially be playing a road game. The Panthers' opponent, Navy, plays its home games at Navy-Marine Corps Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland.
The Panthers were 5-1 on the road this season, their only loss coming on a last-second field goal in September at Big Ten West Division champion Iowa. Pitt's other losses this season included against North Carolina and Notre Dame.
41. West Virginia Mountaineers
13 of 53
Average rating: 38.5
Most recent result: Lost 24-23 at Kansas State
Up next: Jan. 2 vs. Arizona State in Cactus Bowl
West Virginia (7-5, 4-5 Big 12) had a four-game win streak snapped on Saturday, finishing in a three-way tie for fifth place in the conference with Texas and Texas Tech.
The Mountaineers haven't played in Arizona since 2008, when they beat Oklahoma, 48-28, in the Fiesta Bowl.
39. (tie) Toledo Rockets
14 of 53
Average rating: 37.88
Most recent result: Lost 35-30 vs. Western Michigan
Up next: Dec. 22 vs. Temple in Boca Raton Bowl
Toledo (9-2, 6-2 Mid-American) lost head coach Matt Campbell to Iowa State, but it shouldn't miss a beat now that the school has promoted offensive coordinator Jason Candle. Candle has been with the Rockets since 2009, first under Todd Beckman and then with Campbell.
The Rockets' bowl will be their first postseason game in Florida since 1971, when they won 28-3 against Richmond in the Tangerine Bowl (now called the Citrus Bowl).
39. (tie) Texas A&M Aggies
15 of 53
Average rating: 37.88
Most recent result: Lost 19-7 at LSU
Up next: Dec. 30 vs. Louisville in Music City Bowl
Texas A&M (8-4, 4-4 SEC) continues a school-record seven-year bowl streak by playing in Tennessee to end the season for a second year in a row. Last December, the Aggies beat West Virginia, 45-37, in the Liberty Bowl.
A&M has won four straight bowl games, including all three since joining the SEC. It hasn't lost in a bowl since January 2011, falling to LSU in the Cotton Bowl.
38. California Golden Bears
16 of 53
Average rating: 37.5
Most recent result: Won 48-46 vs. Arizona State
Up next: Dec. 29 vs. Air Force in Armed Forces Bowl
California (7-5, 4-5 Pac-12) is heading to its first bowl since the 2011 Holiday Bowl, which it lost to Texas. The Golden Bears' last bowl victory came in 2008.
Their last bowl in Texas came in 2007, when they posted a 42-36 win over Air Force.
37. South Florida Bulls
17 of 53
Average rating: 36.38
Most recent result: Won 44-3 at UCF
Up next: Dec. 21 vs. Western Kentucky in Miami Beach Bowl
South Florida (8-4, 6-2 American) is set for its first bowl game since 2010 and the first under coach Willie Taggart. It's fitting that it will come against Taggart's former team, which he coached from 2010-12.
The Bulls are 4-2 all time in bowls, winning their last three. Their most recent appearance came in the 2010 Meineke Bowl, now known as the Belk Bowl, when it won 31-26 against Clemson.
36. Washington State Cougars
18 of 53
Average rating: 35.3
Most recent result: Lost 45-10 at Washington
Up next: Dec. 26 vs. Miami (Florida) in Sun Bowl
Washington State (8-4, 6-3 Pac-12) is making its second bowl appearance in the past three seasons after a 10-year hiatus. It will be the Cougars' first trip to the Sun Bowl since 2001, when they earned a 33-27 victory over Purdue.
The break between the regular-season finale and the game in El Paso should provide quarterback Luke Falk plenty of time to return to form after he missed WSU's last game. Falk, who has thrown a school-record 36 touchdown passes, suffered a head injury on Nov. 21 and wasn't able to play against Washington. He's the FBS leader in passing yards per game, at 387.8.
35. Memphis Tigers
19 of 53
Average rating: 35.2
Most recent result: Won 63-0 vs. SMU
Up next: Dec. 30 vs. Auburn in Birmingham Bowl
Memphis (9-3, 5-3 American) had a disappointing end to its season, losing three of four after an 8-0 start. It also lost coach Justin Fuente to Virginia Tech, though the Tigers moved quickly and replaced him with Arizona State offensive coordinator Mike Norvell for 2016.
In between, they'll be led by assistant Darrell Dickey, who will be in charge as the Tigers try to earn their third win this season against a power-conference opponent and second against an SEC school. Memphis won at Kansas in September and knocked off Ole Miss in October, both of which came during a 15-game win streak.
34. BYU Cougars
20 of 53
Average rating: 34.8
Most recent result: Won 51-28 at Utah State
Up next: Dec. 19 vs. Utah in Las Vegas Bowl
BYU (9-3) had agreed to play in the Las Vegas Bowl a few weeks ago, but it wasn't until Sunday that it found out it would be playing its archrival in what will be Bronco Mendenhall's final game as the Cougars' coach.
Mendenhall was hired Thursday by Virginia to be its coach, a move that was among the most surprising of the coaching carousel. He'd been BYU's coach since 2005, and a win against Utah would be the 100th of his career.
BYU hasn't played in the Las Vegas Bowl since 2009, the last of five consecutive years appearing in that game.
33. San Diego State Aztecs
21 of 53
Average rating: 33.7
Most recent result: Won 27-24 vs. Air Force in Mountain West Championship Game
Up next: Dec. 24 vs. Cincinnati in Hawaii Bowl
San Diego State (10-3, 8-0 Mountain West) claimed its first outright conference title since 1986, and the reward for that was a second trip to Honolulu this season.
The Aztecs won 28-14 at Hawaii in mid-October, part of their current nine-game win streak. Their only trip to the islands for a bowl game came in 1952, when they beat Hawaii, 34-13, in the final edition of the now-defunct Pineapple Bowl.
SDSU is making its sixth consecutive appearance in a bowl. Before 2010, it had only played in seven bowl games.
32. Mississippi State Bulldogs
22 of 53
Average rating: 32.6
Most recent result: Lost 38-27 vs. Ole Miss
Up next: Dec. 30 vs. North Carolina State in Belk Bowl
Mississippi State (8-4, 4-4 SEC) is playing in a bowl game for a school-record sixth consecutive season, but it will be the first time it's ever played a bowl in North Carolina.
The Bulldogs are 4-3 all time against ACC opponents in bowl games, though last season they lost 49-34 to Georgia Tech in the Orange Bowl.
31. Bowling Green Falcons
23 of 53
Average rating: 32.4
Most recent result: Won 34-14 vs. Northern Illinois in Mid-American Conference Championship Game (in Detroit)
Up next: Dec. 23 vs. Georgia Southern in GoDaddy Bowl
Bowling Green (10-3, 7-1 Mid-American) won its second conference title in the last three seasons, and just as was the case after the 2013 championship, it will be headed into a bowl game without its head coach. Less than 24 hours after beating Northern Illinois, the Falcons saw Dino Babers leave to take over the Syracuse program.
The Falcons lost Dave Clawson to Wake Forest after winning the MAC title in 2013, and under interim coach Adam Scheier,they lost to Pittsburgh in the Little Caesars Bowl.
This is Bowling Green's 13th all-time bowl appearance and sixth since 2008. The Falcons are 1-1 in the GoDaddy Bowl, losing in 2008 and winning in 2004.
30. UCLA Bruins
24 of 53
Average rating: 31.9
Most recent result: Lost 40-21 at USC
Up next: Dec. 26 vs. Nebraska in Foster Farms Bowl
UCLA (8-4, 5-4 Pac-12) was playing for a chance to be in the conference title game in Levi's Stadium a little more than a week ago. Now it gets to prepare for a bowl game on that same field, although against an opponent with a losing record.
The Bruins are one of three teams that were paired against teams with 5-7 records, the result of only 77 schools getting to six wins but spots available for 80 bowl entrants.
UCLA is making a bowl appearance for the fifth year in a row, a streak that started in 2011 with a 20-14 loss to Illinois in the Fight Hunger Bowl.
29. Arkansas Razorbacks
25 of 53
Average rating: 30.38
Most recent result: Won 28-3 vs. Missouri
Up next: Jan. 2 vs. Kansas State in Liberty Bowl
Arkansas (7-5, 5-3 SEC) will be facing a Big 12 team in a bowl for the third straight time, having beat Texas in last season's Texas Bowl and Kansas State in the 2012 Cotton Bowl. This will be the Razorbacks' first trip to Memphis since an overtime victory over East Carolina in the 2010 Liberty Bowl.
The Razorbacks will be trying to get to eight wins for the first time since 2011. If that happens, it will likely be due to quarterback Brandon Allen, who has thrown for 3,125 yards and 29 touchdowns.
28. Temple Owls
26 of 53
Average rating: 29.9
Most recent result: Lost 24-13 at Houston in American Athletic Championship Game
Up next: Dec. 22 vs. Toledo in Boca Raton Bowl
Temple (10-3, 7-1 American) came up short in its quest for the program's first conference title in 48 years, but there should be other chances in the near future now that coach Matt Rhule has agreed to a new six-year contract.
The Owls are headed to their first bowl game since 2011 and the fifth in school history. They're 2-2 all time, beating Wyoming in the 2011 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.
27. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
27 of 53
Average rating: 26.9
Most recent result: Won 45-28 vs. Southern Mississippi in Conference USA Championship Game
Up next: Dec. 21 vs. South Florida in Miami Beach Bowl
Western Kentucky (11-2, 8-0 Conference USA) won its first conference title since 2002, when it was at the FCS level. The Hilltoppers had to rally from a 14-point first-half deficit to claim the championship, but in the end, they topped 40 points for the ninth time this season.
The Miami Beach Bowl will mark just the fourth bowl appearance in program history but third in the last four seasons. The opponent will have a familiar face, as South Florida coach Willie Taggart was in charge of the Hilltoppers from 2010-12.
26. Georgia Bulldogs
28 of 53
Average rating: 26.8
Most recent result: Won 13-7 vs. Georgia Tech
Up next: Jan. 2 vs. Penn State in TaxSlayer Bowl
Georgia (9-3, 5-3 SEC) has already found its next head coach, hiring Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart to replace the outgoing Mark Richt. But neither will run the team in its bowl game, as Smart plans to stay with Alabama as it prepares for the playoffs, while Richt has been hired to coach Miami (Florida).
Instead, assistant Bryan McClendon will be the interim coach when the Bulldogs play in Jacksonville, Florida, for the second time this season. They lost 27-3 to rival Florida there on Oct. 31.
Georgia is making a bowl appearance for the 19th straight year, having won 13 of the previous 18. Last year, it posted a 37-14 win over Louisville in the Belk Bowl.
25. USC Trojans
29 of 53
Average rating: 25.2
Most recent result: Lost 41-22 vs. Stanford in Pac-12 Championship Game (in Santa Clara, California)
Up next: Dec. 30 vs. Wisconsin in Holiday Bowl
USC (8-5, 6-3 Pac-12) just can't seem to avoid being in the news for things other than on-field performance, which is why the headlines associated with the Trojans aren't solely associated with their conference title-game loss or a second straight trip to the Holiday Bowl.
The day after losing to Stanford for the second time this season, new head coach Clay Helton announced he would not be retaining several defensive assistants. Then on Monday TMZ.com reported that former coach Steve Sarkisian was suing the school for wrongful termination.
24. Tennessee Volunteers
30 of 53
Average rating: 24.2
Most recent result: Won 53-28 vs. Vanderbilt
Up next: Jan. 1 vs. Northwestern in Outback Bowl
Tennessee (8-4, 5-3 SEC) takes a five-game win streak into bowl season, registering its most wins since 2007. The Volunteers are finishing in Florida for the second year in a row, beating Iowa in the 2015 TaxSlayer Bowl.
The Vols last appeared in the Outback in 2008, beating Wisconsin 21-17 after falling to Penn State in the same game the season before.
23. Wisconsin Badgers
31 of 53
Average rating: 23.6
Most recent result: Won 31-21 at Minnesota
Up next: Dec. 30 vs. USC in Holiday Bowl
Wisconsin (9-3, 6-2 Big Ten) will be playing a bowl game in California for the seventh time in school history, but this will be the first one that isn't the Rose Bowl.
The Badgers are making their 14th consecutive bowl appearance, and one more victory will give them 10 wins for the fifth time in the last seven seasons and seventh time since 2005.
22. Navy Midshipmen
32 of 53
Average rating: 22.9
Most recent result: Lost 52-31 at Houston
Up next: Dec. 12 vs. Army (in Philadelphia)
Navy (9-2, 7-1 American) is set to play on its home field against Pittsburgh in the Military Bowl on Dec. 28, but first the Midshipmen have their annual clash with rival Army on Saturday. It will mark the official end to the 2015 regular season.
Winners of 13 straight against Army, Navy needs one more victory for its first 10-win season since 2009. The Midshipmen have never won 11 games in one year.
With two games left, senior quarterback Keenan Reynolds can add to his FBS career-record 83 rushing touchdowns. One more score will also move him into first all time in terms of total TDs scored.
21. Utah Utes
33 of 53
Average rating: 22.3
Most recent result: Won 20-14 vs. Colorado
Up next: Dec. 19 vs. BYU in Las Vegas Bowl
Utah (9-3, 6-3 Pac-12) had its best season since joining the conference in 2011, though two losses in November kept it from being able to win the South Division. It slipped in the Pac-12's bowl pecking order, but that ended up producing one of the most intriguing bowl matchups of the season.
BYU and Utah's rivalry, which dates back to 1896, is known as the Holy War, and for the first time it will be played somewhere other than Provo or Salt Lake City. The schools last met in September 2013, a 20-13 Utah win for its fourth straight victory in the series.
Utah is 14-4 all time in bowl games, the best record of any school with at least 15 appearances.
20. LSU Tigers
34 of 53
Average rating: 22.0
Most recent result: Won 19-7 vs. Texas A&M
Up next: Dec. 29 vs. Texas Tech in Texas Bowl
LSU (8-3, 5-3 SEC) is playing in a bowl game for the 16th consecutive season, the sixth-longest active streak in FBS. But the Tigers' postseason appearances have been on a downward trend since playing Alabama in the 2012 BCS Championship Game.
This is the Tigers' first bowl in Texas since beating Texas A&M in the 2011 Cotton Bowl.
The matchup with Texas Tech figures to produce one of the largest mismatches of the bowl season, as Leonard Fournette—who leads the nation in rushing average, at 158.27 yards per game—will be facing the third-worst run defense in FBS.
19. Florida Gators
35 of 53
Average rating: 21.6
Most recent result: Lost 29-15 vs. Alabama in SEC Championship Game (in Atlanta)
Up next: Jan. 1 vs. Michigan in Citrus Bowl
Florida (10-3, 7-1 SEC) exceeded all expectations in Jim McElwain's first season as coach, winning the East Division title thanks to the No. 6 defense in FBS. But the Gators head into their bowl game having fallen apart on offense, scoring 17 total points during a two-game losing streak and averaging 16.2 over their last six games.
The 180 yards gained against Alabama in the SEC title game were a season low and marked the fifth time in 2015 they've failed to reach 300 yards. Four of those came after quarterback Will Grier, a key component in a 6-0 start, was suspended for a year after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs.
18. Baylor Bears
36 of 53
Average rating: 17.0
Most recent result: Lost 23-17 vs. Texas
Up next: Dec. 29 vs. North Carolina in Russell Athletic Bowl
Baylor (9-3, 6-3 Big 12) heads into bowl season on a two-game losing streak and having dropped three of four. The last was the most troubling result, falling at home to Texas in a game that saw the Bears have to turn to a wide receiver to play quarterback after Chris Johnson was hurt.
The Bears have had three starting quarterbacks go down with injury, and though they ran for nearly 400 yards against Texas the offense has been out of rhythm for weeks. They'll need to use the bowl preparation to regroup for a matchup with the nation's top-ranked team in terms of yards gained per play.
Baylor is making its first trip to Florida for a bowl game since 1960, when it lost 13-12 to Florida in the Gator Bowl.
16. (tie) Michigan Wolverines
37 of 53
Average rating: 16.8
Most recent result: Lost 42-13 vs. Ohio State
Up next: Jan. 1 vs. Florida in Citrus Bowl
Michigan (9-3, 6-2 Big Ten) put together a heck of a first season under coach Jim Harbaugh, and one more win will double the victory total from last season.
The Wolverines are playing in the Citrus Bowl (or its other name variations) for the fifth time, the last coming in 2008 when they also faced Florida and won 41-35. That's one of only two bowl victories in nine tries since 2004.
Michigan will bring the nation's fourth-ranked defense to Orlando. It allowed 281.3 yards per game this season, posting three consecutive shutouts earlier in the year.
16. (tie) Houston Cougars
38 of 53
Average rating: 16.8
Most recent result: Won 24-13 vs. Temple in American Athletic Championship Game
Up next: Dec. 31 vs. Florida State in Peach Bowl
Houston (12-1, 7-1 American) finished as the highest-ranked non-power conference champion after winning the first-ever American title game, and with that victory, it earned the “Group of Five” spot in a major bowl game. It's just the latest in a long string of significant accomplishments for the Cougars in Tom Herman's first season as coach.
The Cougars have never played in the Peach Bowl and only once have played in a bowl outside of Texas since 2007. It will also be their first game against Florida State since 1978, the last of 12 wins in 16 matchups against the Seminoles.
Quarterback Greg Ward Jr. has 35 total touchdowns this season, including 19 on the ground. His 1,041 rushing yards are second only to Navy's Keenan Reynolds among quarterbacks.
15. Northwestern Wildcats
39 of 53
Average rating: 16.4
Most recent result: Won 24-14 vs. Illinois (in Chicago)
Up next: Jan. 1 vs. Tennessee in Outback Bowl
Northwestern (10-2, 6-2 Big Ten) brings a five-game win streak into its first bowl game since after the 2012 season, when it beat Mississippi State in the Gator Bowl to reach 10 wins. A victory against Tennessee will give the Wildcats their most wins in school history.
The win over MSU in 2013 was just the second in 11 bowl games for Northwestern, which went from 1950-2012 without a postseason victory.
Northwestern finished the regular season with the No. 11 overall defense, allowing 310.5 yards per game. It held seven opponents to 14 or fewer points this season.
14. Oregon Ducks
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Average rating: 15.2
Most recent result: Won 52-42 vs. Oregon State
Up next: Jan. 2 vs. TCU in Alamo Bowl
Oregon (9-3, 7-2 Pac-12) played in the College Football Championship Game last season, falling to Ohio State in Arlington, Texas. The Ducks' 2015 season will also come to an end in the Lone Star State, in the same place it finished up the 2013 campaign with a 23-point win over Texas.
The Ducks bring a six-game win streak into the Alamo Bowl, rebounding from a rough first half of the season thanks to the return of quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. The transfer from Eastern Washington averaged 324.2 passing yards with 21 touchdown passes during the win streak, when Oregon scored 44.8 points per game and beat Pac-12 title game participants Stanford and USC.
Another victory will give Oregon its eighth consecutive season with at least 10 wins.
13. Oklahoma State Cowboys
41 of 53
Average rating: 14.4
Most recent result: Lost 58-23 vs. Oklahoma
Up next: Jan. 1 vs. Ole Miss in Sugar Bowl
Oklahoma State (10-2, 7-2 Big 12) finished in a tie for second in the conference, and though TCU was ranked higher in the final playoff standings, the Cowboys earned the better bowl slot thanks to their win over the Horned Frogs in November.
The Cowboys haven't played in the Sugar Bowl since 1946, when they logged a 33-13 win over St. Mary's. That was their second-ever bowl appearance.
OK State's bowl streak stands at a school-record 10 years, with wins in four of the previous five. Its last two bowl losses have come to SEC teams, falling to Missouri in the 2014 Cotton Bowl and Ole Miss in the 2010 Cotton Bowl.
12. Ole Miss Rebels
42 of 53
Average rating: 13.4
Most recent result: Won 38-27 at Mississippi State
Up next: Jan. 1 vs. Oklahoma State in Sugar Bowl
Ole Miss (9-3, 6-2 SEC) ended up as the second-best team from its conference in the final playoff rankings, which meant earning a spot in its first Sugar Bowl since 1970 as the highest-rated SEC team not in the semifinals. It's the Rebels' second straight trip to a New Year's Six-affiliated game, having lost badly to TCU in last season's Peach Bowl.
It's only about 350 miles to New Orleans from Ole Miss' campus in Oxford, which should make for a decidedly home-field advantage compared to Oklahoma State. The Rebels fans will get to see quarterback Chad Kelly add to his single-season school records for passing yards (3,740), total offense (4,167) and total touchdowns (37).
Ole Miss will also be vying for its first 10-win season since 2003 and its third in the past 43 years.
11. North Carolina Tar Heels
43 of 53
Average rating: 10.4
Most recent result: Lost 45-37 vs. Clemson in ACC Championship Game (in Charlotte)
Up next: Dec. 29 vs. Baylor in Russell Athletic Bowl
North Carolina (11-2, 8-0 ACC) might have had a chance to create the kind of chaos that this year's playoff rankings didn't experience had it not been called for a phantom offsides penalty on an onside kick with just over a minute left in the conference title game. The Tar Heels recovered that ball, but had they not been flagged, they'd still have had to score a touchdown and get a two-point conversion just to force overtime.
“I had a chance to look at it, and they missed it," UNC coach Larry Fedora said, per Steve Petrella of the Sporting News. “They were wrong.”
The loss snapped a 10-game win streak for the Heels, and it kept them behind Florida State in the playoff rankings, meaning they didn't get to play in a New Year's Six Bowl. But the Russell Athletic Bowl is still a major step up from last season, when UNC lost by 19 points to Rutgers in the Quick Lane Bowl in Detroit.
10. TCU Horned Frogs
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Average rating: 10.2
Most recent result: Won 28-21 (in 2 OT) vs. Baylor
Up next: Jan. 2 vs. Oregon in Alamo Bowl
TCU (10-2, 7-2 Big 12) lost twice in November to fall out of the national title hunt as well as the race for the conference championship, and despite finishing 11th in the final playoff rankings, they weren't able to grab the Big 12's spot in the Sugar Bowl that ultimately went to Oklahoma State.
Still, the Horned Frogs will get to finish the season in a well-regarded bowl game, playing in the Alamo Bowl for the first time ever and in its home state for the first time since beating Houston in the 2007 Texas Bowl.
The break between the regular season and the bowl should allow many of TCU's injured players to heal up, including quarterback Trevone Boykin. He played in the finale against Baylor despite being hobbled by a sprained ankle, yet he produced two touchdowns in overtime.
8. (tie) Notre Dame Fighting Irish
45 of 53
Average rating: 8.4
Most recent result: Lost 38-36 at Stanford
Up next: Jan. 1 vs. Ohio State in Fiesta Bowl
Notre Dame (10-2) saw its hope of competing for a national title come to an end on Nov. 28 when it lost in the final minute at Stanford, but a strong overall season earned it a spot in its best bowl game since losing to Alabama in the 2013 BCS Championship Game.
The Fighting Irish have only played a January bowl game once since 2008, and this is their first appearance in the Fiesta Bowl since 2006. That was also against Ohio State, a 34-20 loss that dropped them to 1-3 all time in the Fiesta Bowl.
Notre Dame has won four of its last six postseason games after losing nine in a row from 1995-2007.
8. (tie) Florida State Seminoles
46 of 53
Average rating: 8.4
Most recent result: Won 27-2 at Florida
Up next: Dec. 31 vs. Houston in Peach Bowl
Florida State (10-2, 6-2 ACC) won a national title two seasons ago and played in the first-ever college football playoffs last season. Ending up in a New Year's Six game after 2015 might seem like sliding, but the Seminoles were ravaged by the NFL draft and faced the possibility of a major rebuild this season, so getting to 10 wins and playing in one of the top bowl games on the schedule is a major accomplishment.
This is FSU's first trip to Atlanta for a bowl game since 2010, when it beat South Carolina in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. That was part of a six-game bowl win streak that was snapped in January by Oregon in the Rose Bowl.
The Seminoles leaned heavily on their defense and running back Dalvin Cook this season. Cook, a sophomore, set the school rushing record with 1,658 yards. He ranks third in FBS in yards per game at 150.73.
7. Iowa Hawkeyes
47 of 53
Average rating: 7.8
Most recent result: Lost 16-13 vs. Michigan State in Big Ten Championship Game (in Indianapolis)
Up next: Jan. 1 vs. Stanford in Rose Bowl
Iowa (12-1, 8-0 Big Ten) got within 27 seconds of making the playoffs, giving up a one-yard touchdown at the end of an epic 22-play drive by Michigan State on Saturday. Though the school's first national championship since 1958 is no longer in play, the Hawkeyes are still getting to make their first Rose Bowl appearance in 25 years.
“If this is the consolation prize, then what a deal it is for both of us,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said of the Hawkeyes and Stanford meeting in Pasadena, per Nicole Auerbach of USA Today.
It's the program's third straight January bowl game, though the last two weren't nearly as prominent. Iowa lost by 17 to Tennessee in the TaxSlayer Bowl after last season, losing to LSU in the Outback Bowl the year before that.
The Hawkeyes' last bowl win came in 2010, beating Missouri in the Insight Bowl.
6. Ohio State Buckeyes
48 of 53
Average rating: 5.6
Most recent result: Won 42-13 at Michigan
Up next: Jan. 1 vs. Notre Dame in Fiesta Bowl
Ohio State (11-1, 7-1 Big Ten) is still technically the defending national champions until a new winner is crowned, but after being left out of the playoffs, the Buckeyes won't have a chance to repeat. The three-point home loss to Michigan State on Nov. 21 meant they finished second in the East Division, though by ending up fifth in the final playoff rankings they might have slipped into the final four had someone above them lost on Saturday.
The Buckeyes still get a marquee bowl game to end their title defense with, facing Notre Dame for the first time since beating the Fighting Irish in the 2006 Fiesta Bowl.
Ohio State's last trip to the Fiesta Bowl, in 2009, ended in a 24-21 loss to Texas.
5. Stanford Cardinal
49 of 53
Average rating: 5.4
Most recent result: Won 41-22 vs. USC in Pac-12 Championship Game (in Santa Clara, California)
Up next: Jan. 1 vs. Iowa in Rose Bowl
Stanford (11-2, 8-1 Pac-12) didn't get the chaos it needed above it in the playoff rankings, and thus has to settle for playing in the Rose Bowl for the third time in the last four years. Not many people thought even that was possible after the Cardinal opened this season with a dreadful effort in a 16-6 loss at Northwestern.
But that was the last time they didn't score at least 30 points, ending up averaging 39.8 points over the next 12 games behind the winningest quarterback in school history (fifth-year senior Kevin Hogan) and the most prolific yard-gained total in FBS history. Sophomore Christian McCaffrey, thanks to an astounding 461 all-purpose yards in the Pac-12 title game, shattered Barry Sanders' record and now has 3,496 yards as a running back, receiver and return man this season.
The second-best player in the country, San Jose State's Tyler Ervin, has 2,410.
McCaffrey, named a Heisman finalist on Monday, scored a rushing and receiving touchdown and also threw one to Hogan, who also threw a TD pass and ran for a score.
4. Michigan State Spartans
50 of 53
Average rating: 4.6
Most recent result: Won 16-13 vs. Iowa in Big Ten Championship Game (in Indianapolis)
Up next: Dec. 31 vs. Alabama in Cotton Bowl
Michigan State (12-1, 7-1 Big Ten) is one of the four playoff teams after winning its second conference title in the last three seasons, but it had to earn its spot more stressfully than the other three qualifiers after outlasting previously unbeaten Iowa. And the Spartans did so with a game-winning drive that will go down in history as one of the greatest ever.
“Sorry to the Iowa fans who are going to see that Michigan State drive every time they turn on (the) Big Ten Network next summer,” Matt Brown of Sports on Earth tweeted.
A 22-play, 82-yard drive that lasted 9:04 of clock time ended with freshman LJ Scott lunging forward on a second effort for a one-yard touchdown run. It came with 27 seconds left and while quarterback Connor Cook was dealing with a re-injured throwing shoulder and it was facing a defense that it had only managed three field goals against beforehand.
The Spartans are playing for a national title thanks to that win and victories over Michigan and Ohio State in which their only lead came with no time left on the clock.
3. Oklahoma Sooners
51 of 53
Average rating: 3.2
Most recent result: Won 58-23 at Oklahoma State
Up next: Dec. 31 vs. Clemson in Orange Bowl
Oklahoma (11-1, 7-1 Big 12) didn't play in a conference championship game on the final weekend of the regular season, something that contributed to Baylor and TCU being shut out of last year's playoffs. It didn't make a difference for the Sooners, since their stellar run through the Big 12's best competition in November had them playing some of the best ball in the country down the stretch.
Since losing to rival Texas in Dallas on Oct. 10, Oklahoma won its next seven games by an average of 32.6 points and scored at least 44 in six of those contests. It won at Baylor and Oklahoma State, convincingly in both occasions.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield's play has provided the biggest boost to the 2015 Sooners, with 42 total touchdowns and only five interceptions in a revamped offense that turned to the pass under first-year coordinator Lincoln Riley. The Sooners have thrown for 1,049 more yards than a year ago, with 37 TDs compared to 17.
Oklahoma's defense has also made a big leap from last season, allowing only 20.8 points per game in a league where six other teams averaged at least 30 points and four (besides Oklahoma) scored 40 or more per game.
2. Alabama Crimson Tide
52 of 53
Average rating: 1.8
Most recent result: Won 29-15 vs. Florida in SEC Championship Game (in Atlanta)
Up next: Dec. 31 vs. Michigan State in Cotton Bowl
Alabama (12-1, 7-1 SEC) is on a 10-game win streak, a run that has been aided by beefed-up defense and much better care of the ball on offense. After committing five turnovers in the home loss to Ole Miss, the Crimson Tide gave it away only 10 more times and had just five giveaways in their final five games.
A lot of that had to do with getting very basic on offense, turning to Heisman finalist Derrick Henry and letting him rumble. The junior is the SEC single-season rushing leader, with 1,986 yards and 23 touchdowns, and in his past two games, he's carried the ball 90 times.
Alabama coach Nick Saban, speaking Sunday on ESPN's playoff reveal show, said he would have liked to use Henry less of late but the game plan called for him to get the ball and the results have been there.
“How do you not play the guy?” Saban said. “He gets better as he goes.”
Alabama is making its second visit to the semifinals, the only school repeating from last year's field. It hopes to do better than the first time out, when it lost to eventual champion Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl.
1. Clemson Tigers
53 of 53
Average rating: 1.4
Most recent result: Won 45-37 vs. North Carolina in ACC Championship Game (in Charlotte)
Up next: Dec. 31 vs. Oklahoma in Orange Bowl
Clemson (13-0, 8-0 ACC) doled out 20,000 slices of pizza on Sunday to help celebrate its spot atop the final playoff rankings. If the Tigers are able to make it through the postseason unscathed, what will coach Dabo Swinney have on the menu to honor a national championship?
The Tigers have won 16 consecutive games, the longest streak in the nation, yet they are currently an underdog to Oklahoma, according to Odds Shark. They destroyed the Sooners last year in the Russell Athletic Bowl, doing so without quarterback Deshaun Watson available, though Oklahoma was a shell of the team it's bringing to Miami for the playoffs.
And Watson is far better than he was before getting hurt in 2014. The sophomore has topped 400 yards of total offense five times this season, accounting for 41 touchdowns in the process. As a result, he was named a Heisman finalist on Monday.
Clemson will take the No. 7 overall defense and fifth-ranked pass defense into the semifinals.
Statistics provided by CFBStats.com.
Follow Brian J. Pedersen on Twitter at @realBJP.
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