Today we will be Ranking the SEC Bowl Games from worst to best. All but two of the 14 teams in the SEC are playing in the postseason.
A season after setting a football record by winning nine bowls games this season, seven of the 12 SEC teams are underdogs in their games.
The twelve games can be divided into three categories and without any further ado let’s get right to it.
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12. Mississippi State vs. Miami (Ohio)- (St. Petersburg Bowl)
At 5-7, the Bulldogs only got into a bowl game because of their APR score and not for what they did on the field. The Red Hawks started the season 0-6 before winning their last six games. There is nothing about this game says you need to watch.
11. South Carolina vs. South Florida- (Birmingham Bowl)
The man who coached the Bulls this season, Willie Taggart, has moved onto Oregon. Former Texas coach Charlie Strong was named the new coach on Sunday. Co-offensive coordinator T.J. Weist will coach the Bulls in this game.
The Gamecocks went 4-2 with Jake Bentley under center to make it to a bowl game. This is the definition of a “lame-duck” game for the Bulls. It is doubtful they will be motivated for this game. Look for Carolina to win and build for next season.
10. Vanderbilt vs. North Carolina State- (Independence Bowl)
Speaking of improbability, Derek Mason’s Commodores beat Ole Miss and Tennessee in the last two games of the season to make a bowl game.
This will be first of four games to feature an SEC vs. ACC match-up. More than likely this will be a defensive battle which doesn’t lend itself to a great game.
9. Texas A&M vs. Kansas State- (Texas Bowl)
Another November swoon has dropped the Aggies from a possible New Years’ game to playing in the Texas Bowl. This will be your last chance to see potential 2017 number one pick Myles Garrett play in college.
At age 77, Bill Synder continues to do a wonderful job in Manhattan, Kansas year after year. The Wildcats have won three in a row against the Aggies and should make it four after this game.
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8. Georgia vs. TCU- (Liberty Bowl)
A 7-5 record and playing in Memphis is not what Bulldog fans had in mind when Kirby Smart took over the program.
The Horned Frogs lost four of their last six and need a win here to avoid a losing season.
7. Florida vs. Iowa- (Outback Bowl)
If you like defensive struggles, this is the game for you. One of the most interesting things about this game is the possibility of a free appetizer for fans of the winning team.
For clarification 🙂 @Outback @GatorsFB = Bloomin' Onion@HawkeyeFootball = Coconut Shrimp pic.twitter.com/rADVGoz8bU
— ReliaQuest Bowl (@ReliaQuestBowl) December 4, 2016
The Gators won the SEC East but were blown out in their last two games. The Hawkeyes won their last three to head into this game with a lot of momentum. More than likely a big defensive play will be the difference.
6. Arkansas vs. Virginia Tech- (Belk Bowl)
In Justin Fuente’s first season the Hokies won nine games and nearly derailed Clemson’s title hopes in the ACC Title Game.
The Razorbacks limped home down the stretch after starting the year 5-2. A win here could help jump start the 2017 season.
A chance to win 10 games for the first time since 2011 should be more than enough motivation for Tech.
5. Kentucky vs. Georgia Tech- (TaxSlayer Bowl)
This game will feature two of the hottest teams in their respective leagues. The Yellow Jackets and Wildcats rank 11th and 17th in the nation in rushing yards.
Boom Williams and Benny Snell are both 1,000 yards rushers for the Cats while Paul Johnson’s triple option features three players who ran for over 500 yards. Whatever the over is on this game, take it as it promises to be an offensive shoot out.
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4. Tennessee vs. Nebraska- (Music City Bowl)
Two schools with rich traditions will meet in what will be a home game for the Volunteers in Nashville.
Butch Jones’ club began the season with SEC title aspirations and hopes of a much better game, but injuries and a couple of really bad losses derailed their season.
The Cornhuskers finished the season 2-3 after starting 7-0. Mike Riley’s club will more than likely be without quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr.
Whichever one of these teams can find the motivation to put a disappointing season behind them will be the victor.
3. Auburn vs. Oklahoma- (Sugar Bowl)
Amazingly enough, this will be only the second time in history these two storied programs will have played. The Sooners beat Auburn 40-22 in the 1972 Sugar Bowl.
Bob Stoops’ club will be out to prove they belonged in the College Football Playoff after winning the Big 12. The Sooners will look to light up the scoreboard behind Baker Mayfield and Dede Westbrook.
If they are healthy behind Kamryn Pettway and Sean White, the Tigers can also score in bunches, just not enough to keep up with Oklahoma.
2. LSU vs. Louisville- (Citrus Bowl)
It is unfortunate that two of the best bowl games of the year will be going on at the same time. The TaxSlayer Bowl will be going on up the road in Jacksonville.
Even worse for the Cardinal faithful, the highly ranked basketball team will be facing arch rival Indiana at the same time this game will be happening.
As far as individual match-ups go, you can’t ask for much better in this game. Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson will try to shake off two sub-par games down the stretch.
In addition to Jackson playing for the Cards, this will be your last chance to see Leonard Fournette play in college, assuming his ankle will allow him. In his absence, Derrius Guice has put up some incredible numbers.
Another interesting twist to this game, this will be the first time these two schools will have ever met on the gridiron.
No. 1- Alabama vs. Washington- (Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl)
The Huskies and the Pac-12 want to prove they belong at the big kids table when it comes to the playoffs.
Chris Petersen is one of the best coaches in football. Furthermore, it will be interesting to see what he can come up with a month to prepare.
Almost every college football fan will remember will remember Boise State’s upset of Oklahoma in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl. If you need a reminder, here you go:
While this should be a very good game, it is difficult to see them stopping the juggernaut that has become Alabama football. The Crimson Tide have won 25 games in a row, and while this should be a really good game, Nick Saban’s club will win again.
Looking further ahead, the thirteenth game on the schedule will feature Alabama versus the winner of Ohio State and Clemson. While a 2015 title game rematch against the Tigers and Heisman runner-up Deshaun Watson would make for a great game, most college football fans are anxiously awaiting a possible Tide-Buckeyes championship game.
A match-up of Nick Saban versus Urban Meyer for the title would be an epic game on so many levels.
As always thank you for reading, and we will see you next time.
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