How good were the games in the 2020-2021 bowl season? Ranking all the bowl games from the worst to the best.
This was a miserable bowl season, but there were different levels of pain and suffering.
Out of the 25 bowl games played – with one big one still to go – 16 of them were double-digit blowouts, most of the close games were ugly-bad, and there wasn’t any classic that hasn’t already been memory dumped by anyone outside of the winning fan base.
But it was a bowl season – the fact that we got as many games as we did is incredible.
There’s still one little game to go with this turning into a ranking of the 26 best bowl games after Monday night.
Here’s how good the bowl games were this season.
Bowl Rankings
Total Duds | Bowls: No More, No Less
Decent Bowls | Good Bowls | Best Bowls
Bowl Rankings: Total Duds
These weren’t just the worst games of this bowl season. These made people question the world and their reason for living in it. None of them were 2018 Cheez-It Bowl-level awful, but …
25. Offerpad Arizona Bowl
Ball State 34, San Jose State 13
Pre-Bowl Matchup Ranking: 11
– 10 Thoughts on the Arizona Bowl
This one wasn’t fair.
Ball State will more than happily take the first bowl win in the program’s history, but San Jose State was walloped by COVID issues announced just before the game, the Mountain West champ was a shadow of its regular season self, and it got ugly immediately.
Ball State got up 27-0 in the first quarter starting with a pick-six, and were up 34-0 in the third before the Spartans finally got on the board with a kickoff return for a touchdown.
24. R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
Georgia Southern 38, Louisiana Tech 3
Pre-Bowl Matchup Ranking: 22
– 10 Things To Know from the New Orleans Bowl
Would Shai Werts play or not?
The Georgia Southern quarterback played through a shoulder problem, he was awesome, and this game was a disaster. The Eagles took a 21-0 first half lead, only allowed one measly Louisiana Tech field goal, and totally dominated.
Louisiana Tech was -4 in turnover margin, never had the ball, and generated 232 yards of total offense whether it needed them or not.
Werts? 71 rushing yards and three touchdowns, and 7-of-12 passes for 126 yards and a touchdown for the option attack.
23. The Rose Bowl Game Presented by Capital One
Alabama 31, Notre Dame 14
Pre-Bowl Matchup Ranking: 9
– 5 Thoughts Reaction, Analysis: Rose Bowl
Start with the Rose Bowl being played in Arlington instead of Pasadena, and it goes downhill from there.
No one thought Notre Dame had a prayer, the game was supposed to be a light scrimmage, and that’s exactly what happened. It was 7-0 Crimson Tide five minutes in, and that was about it.
There was the slightest fraction of a moment in the second quarter when it looked like this might be interesting after a 15-play Irish touchdown drive to make it 14-7, but that only seemed to make Alabama mad.
DeVonta Smith caught a 34-yard touchdown pass just over two minutes later, and that was that.
22. LendingTree Bowl
Georgia State 39, WKU 21
Pre-Bowl Matchup Ranking: 23
– 10 Things To Know from the LendingTree Bowl
WKU was up 7-0 on a strong first quarter drive, the defense was doing okay, and …
Ugh.
Georgia State rolled for 27 straight points on three second quarter touchdown passes from Cornelious Brown, the defense forced three takeaways, and the team was in total control throughout. Even after WKU came up with a third quarter touchdown, it was all Panther O from there with scoring drive after scoring drive to go up 39-14 until the final moments.
21. GoodYear Cotton Bowl Classic
Oklahoma 55, Florida 20
Pre-Bowl Matchup Ranking: 3
– 10 Thoughts on the Cotton Bowl
The ONLY reason why this isn’t even lower is because Oklahoma was so much fun to watch.
It was over the moment most of Florida’s receiving corps opted out, there were more key players out, and Oklahoma put it away with a 17-0 lead – ended on a Tre Norwood pick six of Kyle Trask – in the first seven minutes.
Emory Jones and the Gators made it interesting for a little bit in the second quarter to pull within 17-13, but the Sooners ended the fun four plays later with a quick touchdown drive as part of a 38-point run to turn this into an embarrassment.
Bowl Rankings
Bowls: No More, No Less
Decent Bowls | Good Bowls | Best Bowls
NEXT: Bowl Rankings: Bowl Games. No More, No Less
Bowl Rankings: Bowl Games. No More, No Less
Bowl Rankings
Total Duds | Decent Bowls
Good Bowls | Best Bowls
You watched them, or you didn’t. No big whoop.
20. New Mexico Bowl
Hawaii 28, Houston 14
Pre-Bowl Matchup Ranking: 21
– 10 Things To Know from the New Mexico Bowl
In terms of how good we thought this bowl was going to be, it did exactly what it was supposed to …
Only in a whole other way.
The thought was that Houston would come out roaring against an inconsistent Hawaii team that didn’t have the pop, and all of that blew up fast with a 21-0 Rainbow Warrior lead going into halftime.
It got interesting in the third quarter as Houston woke up, scored 14 points, and all the excitement lasted about 30 seconds as Calvin Turner returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown.
19. RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl
BYU 49, UCF 23
Pre-Bowl Matchup Ranking: 5
– 10 Things To Know from the Boca Raton Bowl
This was interesting in a Let’s Watch The Top 5 NFL Draft Franchise Quarterback sort of way.
It was supposed to a fun and wild shootout between two of the best offenses in college football, and BYU ended that five plays in on a Zach Wilson touchdown run. He ran for a second score on the way to a 21-0 BYU first quarter lead, threw two touchdown passes for a 35-7 lead going into halftime, and it got up to 49-10 with 20 minutes left to play.
Wilson threw for 425 yards and three scores and ran for the two touchdowns, but … yuck. This game was a massive disappointment.
18. Montgomery Bowl
Memphis 25, Florida Atlantic 10
Pre-Bowl Matchup Ranking: 26
– 10 Things To Know from the Montgomery Bowl
In a normal year this would’ve been near the bottom, but it’s saved by a whole slew of worse games this bowl season.
This was never supposed to be a good game – Memphis was a nine-point favorite – and it wasn’t.
Florida Atlantic never showed any offense, Memphis QB Brady White led the way to an early lead, and this was over – quick and painless.
It was an 18-0 halftime lead for the Tigers,
17. Valero Alamo Bowl
Texas 55, Colorado 23
Pre-Bowl Matchup Ranking: 17
– 10 Things To Know from the Alamo Bowl
The 2020 Valero Alamo Bowl was exactly what we all thought it would be.
We didn’t think it was Tom Herman’s last game, but it was Herman in a bowl game – he doesn’t lose them.
Texas got up 14-0, there was a bit of intrigue going into halftime with the score 17-10 Longhorns with QB Sam Ehlinger hurt, and then it got ugly in a hurry.
Casey Thompson threw four second half touchdown passes, hitting Joshua Moore for two touchdown passes and working with RB Bijan Robinson for a scoring play. It was all a fun exhibition for the Longhorns after it got to 34-10.
16. Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Nevada 38, Tulane 27
Pre-Bowl Matchup Ranking: 13
– 10 Things To Know from the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
It got somewhat interesting, but Tulane was never able to make the push to get over the hump.
Nevada took a 19-0 first half lead, but just when it looked like something special was going to happen with Tulane pulling within 26-20 in the third quarter, Carson Strong threw two touchdown passes to pull the Wolf Pack ahead for good.
Tulane never led, it was -3 in turnover margin, and Nevada was able to hold on whenever it was truly threatened.
15. Myrtle Beach Bowl
Appalachian State 56, North Texas 28
Pre-Bowl Matchup Ranking: 25
– 10 Things To Know from the Myrtle Beach Bowl
North Texas scored just enough to make Appalachian State keep pressing, and that was a problem.
The Mountaineers kept on trying after getting up 14-0 in the first quarter and 35-14 at halftime, and that led to a whole lot of fun if you enjoy a great running day vs. a totally miserable run defense.
Cameron Peoples ran for 317 yards and five scores, ASU ran for 500 yards and averaged close to 13 yards per carry, and considering it was the first bowl game of the season, it was at least memorable.
14. PlayStation Fiesta Bowl
Iowa State 34, Oregon 17
Pre-Bowl Matchup Ranking: 14
– 5 Thoughts Reaction, Analysis: Fiesta Bowl
It was 14-14 in the first half as it looked like the bowl season was finally going to give America something special, and then …
Nope.
Iowa State came up with its biggest bowl win ever. It was relentless in the second quarter on the way to a 28-17 halftime lead, Oregon looked lost and couldn’t score in the second half, the Cyclones managed two field goals, and the game closed with a whimper.
Oregon turned it over four times, Iowa State had the ball for 43 minutes, and then it was over and everyone went home.
13. Vrbo Citrus Bowl
Northwestern 35, Auburn 19
Pre-Bowl Matchup Ranking: 19
– 10 Thoughts Reaction, Analysis: Citrus Bowl
It was a not-horrible bowl only because it was a one-point game late in the third. To sound like a cliché, Northwestern up by one late in the second half might as well be a two touchdown lead for most teams.
Sorry about that.
Auburn didn’t have its former or next head coach, it didn’t have enough offense, and Northwestern all of a sudden found an attack that was more physical, more creative, and more productive on the way to a dominant run to go up 35-13 in a ten minute span.
12. TaxSlayer Gator Bowl
Kentucky 23, NC State 21
Pre-Bowl Matchup Ranking: 15
– 5 Thoughts Reaction, Analysis: Gator Bowl
It probably should’ve been a bit higher on the list, but it was chippy, it was ugly at times, and it wasn’t the most aesthetically pleasing game to watch.
Three NC State turnovers were a problem, and there wasn’t a lot of offense on either side, but it was close late until a pick led to a UK TD run and a 23-14 lead in the final minutes.
The final score is better than the game – NC State never led, and the final Wolfpack touchdown came with just over a minute to go.
Bowl Rankings
Total Duds | Decent Bowls
Good Bowls | Best Bowls
NEXT: Bowl Rankings: The Decent Bowls
Bowl Rankings: The Decent Bowls
Bowl Rankings
Total Duds | Bowls: No More, No Less
Good Bowls | Best Bowls
They weren’t bad and they weren’t amazing, but they were football games on television. They helped make the bowl season worth the effort.
11. Outback Bowl
Ole Miss 26, Indiana 20
Pre-Bowl Matchup Ranking: 8
– 5 Thoughts Reaction, Analysis: Outback Bowl
It wasn’t the crazy offensive show we wanted and deserved, but it was still okay if you sat through the first three quarters.
It’s not the Outback Bowl’s fault that it wasn’t what it should’ve been.
Ole Miss came in with one of the nation’s worst defenses, Indiana had a fun offense, and neither one showed up. Somehow, the Hoosiers came up with two field goals before the fourth quarter, but two Stevie Scott touchdown runs tied it up at 20 late. Ole Miss answered with a quick touchdown drive, held, and pulled off the win when the D held.
10. Allstate Sugar Bowl
Ohio State 49, Clemson 28
Pre-Bowl Matchup Ranking: 2
If this was any other bowl game it would’ve been much further down the list – this was over at halftime. However, because it was a College Football Playoff semifinal, and because it was so dramatic in so many ways, yeah, it makes the top ten.
Clemson scored with ease on its first two drives, Ohio State didn’t look like it had any sort of an answer, and then … boom.
28 straight points, a 35-14 halftime lead, and it was on to the national championship with the ribs of Justin Fields the only question after taking a big early shot.
The Buckeyes cranked up 639 yards of total offense, Fields threw six touchdown passes, Clemson was held to 44 rushing yards, and this was anything but what was expected.
9. Duke’s Mayo Bowl
Wisconsin 42, Wake Forest 28
Pre-Bowl Matchup Ranking: 24
– 10 Things To Know from the Duke’s Mayo Bowl
At least it was unique.
This wasn’t your normal bowl game blowout with the bigger, stronger program rolling past the fun team putting up a good fight. This was, again … unique.
Wake Forest looked like it was going to blow the doors off the Badgers with a 14-point first quarter, and then the interceptions started coming, and they didn’t stop.
Sam Hartman threw three touchdowns and four picks for the Demon Deacons, the Badgers capitalized on everything scoring 14 points in each of the last three quarters, and it became an entertaining all-around game from start to midway through the fourth.
Bowl Rankings
Total Duds | Bowls: No More, No Less
Good Bowls | Best Bowls
NEXT: Bowl Rankings: The Good Bowls
Bowl Rankings: The Good Bowls
Bowl Rankings
Total Duds | Bowls: No More, No Less
Decent Bowls | Best Bowls
You watched these, you had a good time, you now have hope for a better and brighter tomorrow.
8. Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl
Mississippi State 28, Tulsa 26
Pre-Bowl Matchup Ranking: 16
– 10 Thoughts on the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl
From the 18 penalties, to the bad weather, to the fight, to the lack of Mississippi State offense, it was all … ugly. But it was a close game late.
All anyone will remember is the brawl at the end, but it was certainly a spirited game to get there.
The Mississippi State offense didn’t really work, but a 90-yard Emmanuel Forbes pick six was big a fourth quarter Will Rogers touchdown pass pushed the Bulldogs to a nine-point lead, and Tulsa’s late comeback attempt fell short.
7. Camellia Bowl
Buffalo 17, Marshall 10
Pre-Bowl Matchup Ranking: 10
– 10 Things To Know from the Camellia Bowl
Yeah it was close, and yeah it came down to a two-yard touchdown run from Kevin Marks to get Buffalo the win with just over a minute to play, but the game was just sort of … dull.
The star running backs – Jaret Patterson from Buffalo and Brendan Knox for Marshall – were missing on both sides, the Marshall passing game was brutal, Buffalo was struggling with fewer than 300 yards, and again, it was all just sort of … dull.
The UB 13 play, 88-yard drive was fantastic to close, but it was a grind.
6. AutoZone Liberty Bowl
West Virginia 24, Army 21
Pre-Bowl Matchup Ranking: 20
Army wasn’t supposed to be able to hang with a Big 12 team with a great defense, but it looked like it was going to pull it off.
The Black Knight defense was able to come up with big defensive play after big defensive play on the way to a 21-10 lead late in the third quarter. West Virginia scored 14 unanswered points with the final touchdown coming with just over five minutes to go, and then breathed a massive sigh of relief.
Army won’t take moral victories, but it played a whale of a game.
5. SERVPRO First Responder Bowl
Louisiana 31, UTSA 24
Pre-Bowl Matchup Ranking: 27
– 10 Things To Know from the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl
This was supposed to be a dominant performance by a Louisiana team that beat Iowa State, was named a co-Sun Belt champ, and only lost to Coastal Carolina.
It was never able to pull away until the end.
The Ragin’ Cajuns got up 10-0 in the second quarter and looked like they were going to make it a blowout early in the second half with a score for a 24-7 advantage, and then everything changed.
Frank Harris threw two touchdown passes as part of a 17-point Roadrunner run to tie it, Louisiana went on a terrific touchdown march for what would be the winning score, and UTSA’s final drive stalled.
Bowl Rankings
Decent Bowls | Best Bowls
NEXT: Bowl Rankings: Best Bowls of the Season
Bowl Rankings: Best Bowls of the Season
Bowl Rankings
Total Duds | Bowls: No More, No Less
Decent Bowls | Good Bowls | Best Bowls
If you saw these bowl games, you’re living better, you’re loving better, you are better. These are why you watch bowl games.
4. Cheez-It Bowl
Oklahoma State 37, Miami 34
Pre-Bowl Matchup Ranking: 6
– 10 Things To Know from the Cheez-It Bowl
Lots of offense, a gutty comeback, and lots of big moments – it was all enough to overcome a slew of problems.
Oklahoma State got up to a 21-0 first quarter lead, and it looked like this would be yet another ugly 2020 bowl game.
Miami started to come back, star QB D’Eriq King suffered a knee injury, and it looked like this would be yet another ugly 2020 bowl game.
But Miami fought and clawed its way to within two late in the third, kept answering Cowboy scores, and was still alive with a touchdown with just over five minutes to play.
Oklahoma State got the win, but it was a struggle.
3. Capital One Orange Bowl
Texas A&M 41, North Carolina 27
Pre-Bowl Matchup Ranking: 4
– 5 Thoughts Reaction, Analysis: Orange Bowl
Ignore the final score – unless you’re an investor, in which case the 21 unanswered Texas A&M points and Orange Bowl record 24 points in the fourth quarter mattered. This was a much better, much more interesting game than the numbers.
Sam Howell and the North Carolina offense were missing their top running backs and best receiver, but it was a 27-20 Tar Heel lead with just over 10 minutes to play.
Both teams traded big shots, it was a spirited effort on both sides, and then after all of the body shots from the Texas A&M ground game, Devon Archane spring a 76-yard touchdown run to finally break the tie and turn the game around with under four minutes left.
2. Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl
Georgia 24, Cincinnati 21
Pre-Bowl Matchup Ranking: 7
– 5 Thoughts Reaction, Analysis: Peach Bowl
It would’ve been a little nicer if there weren’t the clock management issues at the end for both sides – especially Cincinnati – to take over the talking points, but it was a strong bowl game no matter what.
There’s no argument that Georgia was trying – there wasn’t the SEC malaise that the conference often gets accused of in non-playoff games. There’s no argument that Cincinnati was good – even if the loss didn’t help the cause of the Group of Five programs.
There’s no argument that this was a great finish, with Georgia coming back with 14 fourth quarter points and a walk-off 53-yard bomb of a field goal from Jack Podlesny for the win.
1. Cure Bowl
Liberty 37, Coastal Carolina 34 OT
Pre-Bowl Matchup Ranking: 1
– 10 Things To Know from the Cure Bowl
It was supposed to be the best game of the bowl season, and it turned out to be even better than hoped for.
It had a little of everything. There was a big comeback from Coastal Carolina. There was overtime. There was a big play on a blocked kick to win it for Liberty. There was a phenomenal performance by Flame QB Malik Willis. And …
There was an all-timer of a bowl controversy with Liberty trying not to get a touchdown from the one-yard line with the score tied in the final moments – wanting to run the clock and win on a field goal – and Coastal Carolina trying to get them to score, and a fumble that screwed it all up to force the OT.
There were turnovers, there was lots of offense, and there was a great game from these two terrific teams.
Bowl Rankings
Total Duds | Bowls: No More, No Less
Decent Bowls | Good Bowls
