Rating each school soccer bowl sport from worst to finest

[ad_1] Bowl season is nearly upon us.

The primary sport kicks off on Dec. 13 with the LA Bowl and the final non-playoff video games happen on Jan. 2. General, there are 39 bowl video games counting the 4 first-round playoff video games ... and it took some finagling to get all of the spots stuffed.

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Notre Dame (10-2) declined a spot in a bowl sport after getting bumped from the School Soccer Playoff in Sunday's ultimate rankings. Iowa State (8-4) refused a bowl bid after coach Matt Campbell went to Penn State and Kansas State (6-6) declined a bowl sport after coach Chris Klieman retired. Each Massive 12 colleges have been fined $500,000 by the convention for not going to a postseason sport.

The three groups' choices meant that three sub-.500 groups have been wanted to fill the bowl area. And that wasn't simple. A number of groups declined bowl bids earlier than the Birmingham Bowl was lastly stuffed.

Here is our rating from No. 41 by way of No. 1 of the bowl video games this season. All instances are Japanese and the quarterfinal and semifinal video games of the School Soccer Playoff usually are not included since we have no idea the individuals in these video games.

39. Armed Forces Bowl (Jan. 2, 1 p.m., ESPN) Rice (5-7) vs. Texas State (6-6)

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The Owls are bowling due to their Tutorial Progress Charge. Rice gained simply two video games after the primary 4 weeks of the season. These victories came to visit UConn and UAB. The Bobcats gained three straight video games to get bowl eligible after a five-game dropping streak in the midst of the season.

38. Birmingham Bowl (Dec. 29, 2 p.m., ESPN) Appalachian State (5-7) vs. Georgia Southern (6-6)

The Mountaineers have been the ultimate crew within the area after the choose outs. App State misplaced 5 of its final six video games —4 have been by one possession and the opposite was a 58-10 loss to James Madison — and a one-point loss to Arkansas State denied them a sixth win in Week 14. The Eagles are heading to a bowl sport for a fourth straight season. They’ve misplaced the earlier three. Can they reverse the pattern this 12 months?

37. Independence Bowl (Dec. 30, 2 p.m., ESPN) Coastal Carolina (6-6) vs. Louisiana Tech (7-5)

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The Chanticleers are enjoying on this sport after firing coach Tim Beck and scoring simply 23 factors per sport. Coastal additionally gave up 34 factors per sport. Solely eight groups allowed extra. The Bulldogs don’t have an extended journey from Ruston after successful their ultimate two video games of the season to ensure a successful file.

36. First Responder Bowl (Dec. 26, 8 p.m., ESPN) Florida Worldwide (7-5) vs. UTSA (6-6)

Coach Willie Simmons led FIU to its first bowl sport since 2019 in his first season. RB Kejon Owens leads the crew with 1,298 yards and 11 TDs. UTSA may be actually good and actually unhealthy. The Roadrunners blew out Tulane and East Carolina and acquired blown out by North Texas and South Florida.

35. 68 Ventures Bowl (Dec. 17, 8:30 p.m., ESPN) Louisiana (6-6) vs. Delaware (6-6)

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The Ragin’ Cajuns have been 2-6 after a loss to Troy on Oct. 25. They’ve gained 4 straight since and the final three got here by one rating. Louisiana acquired bowl eligible in Week 14 with a 30-27 additional time win in opposition to Louisiana-Monroe. QB Lunch Winfield has a implausible identify and leads the crew with 9 speeding TDs. The Blue Hens are of their first season on the high degree of school soccer and have been in a position to go to a bowl sport as a result of there weren't sufficient bowl-eligible groups who have been eligible for bowl video games.

34. Xbox Bowl (Dec. 18, 9 p.m., ESPN2) Missouri State (7-5) vs. Arkansas State (6-6)

The Bears posted a successful season of their first 12 months on the high degree of school soccer. QB Jacob Clark has 27 whole touchdowns and leads an offense that averages practically 275 yards passing per sport. Arkansas State is coached by former Tennessee coach Butch Jones and snuck right into a bowl sport with a 30-29 win over App State within the ultimate week of the season.

<img alt="Nick Bromberg ranks all the bowl games from worst to best. (Bruno Rouby/Yahoo Sports)" loading="lazy" width="960" height="540" decoding="async" data-nimg="1" class="standard-img" style="color:transparent" src="https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/hO2THlrV5iR8ZRx11kjrkw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MDtjZj13ZWJw/https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-12/b3289e40-d3cf-11f0-bb2b-17723af1d5d6"/> Nick Bromberg ranks all of the bowl video games from worst to finest. (Bruno Rouby/Yahoo Sports activities)

33. Duke’s Mayo Bowl (Jan. 2, 8 p.m., ESPN) Mississippi State (5-7) vs. Wake Forest (8-4)

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The Bulldogs are going to a bowl sport for the primary time since 2022 thanks to groups opting out. It was a season of enchancment in Starkville, as Jeff Lebby’s crew went from 2-10 in 2024 to 5-7. Freshman QB Kamario Taylor ought to be enjoyable to observe. The Demon Deacons took down Virginia and SMU in ACC play and misplaced by one to Georgia Tech in September.

32. New Orleans Bowl (Dec. 23, 5:30 p.m., ESPN) Western Kentucky (8-4) vs. Southern Miss (7-5)

The Hilltoppers are making their seventh straight bowl look below coach Tyson Helton however misplaced their final two video games of the common season. Each have been by three factors, although a 13-10 loss to LSU was a bit nearer than it really was due to a late fumble return TD. The Eagles misplaced coach Charles Huff to Memphis after a six-win enchancment in 2025 earlier than three straight losses to finish the season.

31. GameAbove Sports activities Bowl (Dec. 26, 1 p.m., ESPN) Central Michigan (7-5) vs. Northwestern (6-6)

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The Chippewas are again in a bowl sport for the primary time since 2021. It was a tough final three seasons below former coach Jim McElwain. CMU rushes the ball over 40 instances a sport but no participant has greater than 105 carries or 540 speeding yards. Northwestern scraped its option to a bowl sport after standing at 5-2 following a win over Purdue on Oct. 18. The Wildcats misplaced three straight earlier than getting that elusive sixth win in opposition to Minnesota in Week 13.

30. Potato Bowl (Dec. 22, 2 p.m., ESPN) Washington State (6-6) vs. Utah State (6-6)

The Cougars simply misplaced coach Jimmy Rogers to Iowa State after Matt Campbell went to Penn State. It was a bizarre season for Wazzu. They acquired blown out by North Texas and misplaced to Oregon State, however solely misplaced to Ole Miss by three, Virginia by two and James Madison by 4. The Aggies have alternated wins and losses over their ultimate six video games and practically took down Boise State at residence to finish the common season.

29. Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl (Dec. 27, 4:30 p.m., CW) Miami (Ohio) (7-6) vs. Fresno State (8-4)

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The RedHawks are making consecutive journeys to the Arizona Bowl. Miami gained this sport a 12 months in the past. WR Kamryn Perry has 966 receiving yards on simply 42 catches. That’s 23 yards a reception. The Bulldogs are making their fifth consecutive bowl look and have wins over Boise State and Hawaii in 2025.

28. Las Vegas Bowl (Dec. 31, 3:30 p.m., ESPN) Nebraska (7-5) vs. No. 15 Utah (10-2)

This seems to be like a mismatch. Utah has been on the margins of the playoff dialogue for many of November whereas Nebraska has simply been current within the Massive Ten. Particularly as QB Dylan Raiola is out for the season. Will he be again in 2026? Extra urgent for Nebraska is an opportunity for the Cornhuskers to win eight video games in a season for the primary time since 2016. It’s arduous to overstate simply how unhealthy issues have been for the Cornhuskers not too long ago after their many years of dominance.

27. Gasparilla Bowl (Dec. 19, 2:30 p.m., ESPN) NC State (7-5) vs. Memphis (8-4)

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The Wolfpack gained three of their final 4 video games to make sure a successful file and a sixth straight bowl look below coach Dave Doeren. However NC State would like a bowl win greater than most faculties. The Wolfpack have misplaced their final 5 bowl video games — the 2021 Vacation Bowl was canceled — and haven’t scored a bowl victory since 2017. Memphis misplaced coach Ryan Silverfield to Arkansas and ended the season on a three-game dropping streak to fall out of School Soccer Playoff competition.

26. Boca Raton Bowl (Dec. 23, 2 p.m., ESPN Louisville (8-4) vs. Toledo (8-4)

Louisville went on a there-game dropping streak in November to lose any probability on the ACC title. The Cardinals’ first three ACC losses got here by a mixed seven factors … after which SMU blew them out 38-6 earlier than the Cardinals acquired their mojo again with a 41-0 win over Kentucky. The Rockets misplaced coach Jason Candle to UConn this week and defensive coordinator Vince Kehres went to Syracuse. That’s huge. The Rockets enable simply 12 factors per sport.

25. Navy Bowl (Dec. 27, 11 a.m., ESPN) Pitt (8-4) vs. East Carolina (8-4)

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Pitt beat Georgia Tech to finish the Yellow Jackets’ ACC title hopes however that win was sandwiched round blowout losses at residence to each Miami and Notre Dame. Do you know the Panthers common over 35 factors per sport? Now you do. The Pirates gained 5 of their final six video games and are within the Navy Bowl for the second straight season.

24. Pinstripe Bowl (Dec. 27, Midday, ABC) Penn State (6-6) vs. Clemson (7-5)

A Penn State-Clemson bowl sport would have been an attractive proposition earlier than the season. Now, notsomuch. Each groups had extremely underwhelming seasons after they have been ranked within the high 10 of the AP High 25 to begin the season. It’ll be the ultimate sport in cost for Penn State interim coach Terry Smith, although he’s staying on new coach Matt Campbell’s employees for 2026 and past.

23. Fenway Bowl (Dec. 27, 2:15 p.m., ESPN) Military (6-5) vs. UConn (9-3)

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Bear in mind, Military nonetheless has another sport to go as Navy looms on Dec. 13. The Black Knights misplaced to FCS Tarleton State to open the season earlier than beating Kansas State in Week 2 after which dropping back-to-back video games to North Texas and East Carolina. Military’s triple-option offense will look to grind UConn’s protection to mud. UConn coach Jim Mora Jr. is now at Colorado State. Hopefully QB Joe Fagnano retains throwing. The seventh-year QB has thrown for practically 3,500 yards and 28 TDs with only one interception in 2025.

22. IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl (Dec. 16, 9 p.m., ESPN) Troy (8-5) vs. Jacksonville State (9-4)

It’s a sport between two groups who can keep of their residence state after dropping their respective convention title video games. Troy misplaced to James Madison within the Solar Belt championship sport whereas Jacksonville State’s comeback fell brief in opposition to Kennesaw State within the Convention USA title sport.

21. Hawaii Bowl (Dec. 24, 8 p.m., ESPN) Cal (7-5) vs. Hawaii (8-4)

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It’s a return to the islands for former Hawaii coach Nick Rolovich. He’s the interim at Cal following Justin Wilcox’s firing and the Bears beat SMU of their regular-season finale in his first sport in cost. It’s additionally an opportunity for Cal freshman QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele to play in his residence state. He’s staying with Cal for 2026 below new coach Tosh Lupoi. This has been the very best season for Hawaii for the reason that Rainbow Warriors went 10-5 in 2019. That was Rolovich’s ultimate season earlier than leaving for Washington State.

20. Myrtle Seashore Bowl (Dec. 19, 11 a.m., ESPN) Kennesaw State (10-3) vs. Western Michigan (9-4)

The Owls are among the best tales of the season. In simply their second season on the FBS degree, Kennesaw State has made an eight-win enchancment and gained Convention USA by avenging a regular-season loss to Jacksonville State. Western Michigan took down Miami (Ohio) within the MAC title sport and permits simply 18 factors per sport.

19. Frisco Bowl (Dec. 23, 9 p.m., ESPN) UNLV (10-3) vs. Ohio (8-4)

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The Rebels have back-to-back 10-win seasons and back-to-back seasons that ended with a loss to Boise State within the Mountain West title sport. It’s been a enjoyable first season for former Florida coach Dan Mullen at UNLV. Ohio has an interim coach for the sport after Brian Smith was positioned on go away at first of the month. No motive has been given for Smith’s absence and Smith’s lawyer mentioned on Dec. 4 that Smith had not been supplied a proper motive why he was positioned on go away.

18. Remedy Bowl (Dec. 17, 5 p.m., ESPN) Outdated Dominion (9-3) vs. South Florida (9-3)

This is among the most enjoyable Group of 5 matchups on the bowl calendar. ODU ripped off 5 straight wins to finish the season and blew out Troy 33-0 in that stretch. The Trojans made it to the Solar Belt title sport. South Florida beat Florida in Week 2 however misplaced to Memphis and Navy to overlook out on a shot within the School Soccer Playoff. Coach Alex Golesh was employed at Auburn and the Bulls have employed Ohio State offensive coordinator Brian Hartline as his alternative.

17. Charge Bowl (Dec. 26, 4:30 p.m., ESPN) New Mexico (9-3) vs. Minnesota (7-5)

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It’s been an unbelievable season for the Lobos below first-year coach Jason Eck. New Mexico is making its first bowl look since 2016 below coach Bob Davie. It’s additionally the primary bowl sport outdoors the state of New Mexico for the Lobos since an look within the 2004 Emerald Bowl. Minnesota is a program that simply wins bowl video games. Particularly below PJ Fleck. The Gophers are 6-0 in bowls throughout Fleck’s tenure and haven’t misplaced since a Citrus Bowl defeat to Missouri in 2014.

16. Texas Bowl (Dec. 27, 9:15 p.m., ESPN) LSU (7-5) vs. No. 21 Houston (9-3)

The possibilities of a senior sendoff for QB Garrett Nussmeier appear slim after Michael Van Buren has taken over as LSU’s quarterback. In case you’re going to observe this sport, be ready for lots of discuss Lane Kiffin and perhaps even a Kiffin look within the sales space. You’ve been warned. The potential Kiffin discuss shouldn’t distract from how good of a season Houston had. The Cougars made a five-win enchancment and additional cemented Willie Fritz’s standing as one of the underrated school soccer coaches.

15. Liberty Bowl (Jan. 2, 4:30 p.m., ESPN) Navy (9-2) vs. Cincinnati (7-5)

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The Midshipmen earned a second journey to Memphis in three video games. Navy spent Thanksgiving in Memphis with a 28-17 win over the Tigers. Now it’ll spend New 12 months’s there too. The Bearcats simply collapsed in November. Cincinnati was 7-1 after beating Baylor however went 0-4 to finish the season in opposition to Utah, Arizona, BYU and TCU.

14. New Mexico Bowl (Dec. 27, 5:45 p.m., ESPN) San Diego State (9-3) vs. North Texas (11-2)

The Aztecs are permitting opponents to common simply 4.1 yards a play and 12.6 factors per sport. SDSU opponents scored seven or fewer factors in seven video games this season. Each Hawaii and Washington State topped 35, nevertheless, and North Texas’ explosive offense will hope to be the third crew. The Imply Inexperienced common 7.3 yards a play as QB Drew Mestemaker has accomplished over 70% of his passes.

13. Vacation Bowl (Jan. 2, 8 p.m., Fox) No. 17 Arizona (9-3) vs. SMU (8-4)

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The Wildcats have gained their final 5 video games following back-to-back losses to BYU and Houston. It’s simply the second bowl sport in eight seasons for Arizona and the Wildcats have the prospect to win 10 video games in every of these seasons. The Mustangs have been within the ACC title sport with a win over Cal in Week 14, however went down early and threw away a late comeback as Cal scored with 43 seconds to go in a 38-35 win.

12. LA Bowl (Dec. 13, 8 p.m., ABC) Boise State (9-4) vs. Washington (8-4)

The Broncos gained the Mountain West on Friday night time over UNLV after moving into the title sport by way of tiebreakers in a four-way tie. Washington’s losses got here to Ohio State, Oregon, Michigan and … Wisconsin. That latter sport ruined any probability the Huskies had of sneaking into the Massive Ten title sport. QB Demond Williams Jr. is a enjoyable watch. He simply wants 150 passing yards to get to three,000.

11. Solar Bowl (Dec. 31, 2 p.m., CBS) Arizona State (8-4) vs. Duke (8-5)

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The Blue Devils gained the ACC and acquired a visit to El Paso in among the best under-the-radar bowls yearly. Arizona State appears unlikely to have QB Sam Leavitt as he’s solely performed seven video games this season. However the profession resurgence of Jeff Sims has been enjoyable to observe after his struggles at Nebraska. Duke QB Darian Mensah was price it for the Blue Devils as he instantly was among the best QBs within the ACC after his switch from Tulane.

10. Alamo Bowl (Dec. 30, 9 p.m., ESPN) No. 16 USC (9-3) vs. TCU (8-4)

It’s USC’s first journey to the Alamo Bowl because the Trojans search for simply their fourth 10-win season over the previous decade. With each groups averaging over 30 factors per sport and out of doors the highest 40 in scoring protection, this might simply have the best over/below of any bowl sport. The Horned Frogs’ offense sputtered down the stretch, nevertheless. Earlier than scoring 45 in opposition to Cincinnati within the regular-season finale, TCU hadn’t scored greater than 17 factors since October.

9. Music Metropolis Bowl (Dec. 30, 5:30 p.m., ESPN) Illinois (8-4) vs. Tennessee (8-4)

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A crew coached by Bret Bielema vs. a crew coached by Josh Heupel is a distinction that might make for a really intriguing sport. The Illini gained three of their ultimate 4 video games whereas Tennessee misplaced two of its final 4 video games. The Vols gave up greater than 30 factors in seven video games this season. Can Illinois take benefit? QB Luke Altmyer was very environment friendly and WR Hank Beatty had an enormous first half of the season earlier than slowing down in convention play.

8. Gator Bowl (Dec. 27, 7:30 p.m., ABC) Missouri (8-4) vs. No. 19 Virginia (10-3)

The Tigers have one other probability for a win over a ranked opponent. Mizzou is 8-0 in opposition to unranked groups and 0-4 in opposition to ranked groups in 2025. RB Ahmad Hardy has rushed for 1,560 yards and 16 TDs after transferring from Louisiana-Monroe. Virginia missed out on a fourth additional time win within the ACC title sport in opposition to Duke however nonetheless has another probability to win 11 video games for the primary time in class historical past.

7. Pop-Tarts Bowl (Dec. 27, 3:30 p.m., ESPN) Georgia Tech (9-3) vs. BYU (11-2)

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Had Notre Dame not opted out of a bowl sport, we'd have gotten the Preventing Irish in opposition to the Cougars. Georgia Tech is an ample alternative. This shall be a enjoyable sport between two offenses dedicated to working the soccer with quarterbacks who can run over defenders. Georgia Tech misplaced three of its final 4 video games whereas BYU’s solely losses got here to Texas Tech.

6. ReliaQuest Bowl (Dec. 31, Midday, ESPN) No. 14 Vanderbilt (10-2) vs. No. 23 Iowa (8-4)

There’s a small probability Diego Pavia might enter this sport as a Heisman winner. He ought to be a Heisman finalist regardless and he’ll need to cap his Vanderbilt profession with an enormous win. Iowa’s protection will current a tricky take a look at and Mark Gronowski wants two passing touchdowns to turn into the primary Iowa QB since Spencer Petras in 2021 to have 10 passing touchdowns. Three TD passes will give Gronowski 11 for the season and make him the best Iowa QB since Nathan Stanley threw 16 scores in 2019.

5. Citrus Bowl (Dec. 31, 3 p.m., ABC) No. 18 Michigan (9-3) vs. No. 13 Texas (9-3)

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These two groups met a season in the past within the common season with the Longhorns getting a street win. They each look quite a bit completely different now and it ought to be the very best non-playoff bowl sport of the season. Texas QB Arch Manning has gotten higher because the season has progressed and some weeks of bowl practices for Michigan QB Bryce Underwood ought to be an actual asset for the previous five-star recruit's growth.

4. CFP first-round sport (Dec. 20, 7:30 p.m., TNT) No. 12 James Madison (12-1) at No. 5 Oregon (11-1)

This sport has the largest unfold of any first-round sport for a very good motive. Oregon can put up factors in a rush and James Madison performed only one energy convention opponent all season. That was JMU’s solely loss because the Dukes fell 28-14 to Louisville in Week 2. Let’s hope that this sport is best than the final time Oregon performed a non-power convention opponent in a serious bowl sport. Two seasons in the past, the Geese obliterated Liberty within the Fiesta Bowl to spoil the Flames’ unbeaten season.

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3. CFP first-round sport (Dec. 20, 3:30 p.m., TNT) No. 11 Tulane (11-2) at No. 6 Ole Miss (11-1)

It’s arduous to get too excited a few rematch of a sport that was 45-10. However there’s the added stakes of the School Soccer Playoff and the teaching conditions surrounding every crew. It’s the primary sport in cost for former Ole Miss defensive coordinator Pete Golding after Lane Kiffin left for LSU. And it may very well be the final sport with the Inexperienced Wave for Tulane coach Jon Sumrall as he takes over at Florida in 2026.

2. CFP first-round sport (Dec. 19, 8 p.m., ABC) No. 9 Alabama (10-3) at No. 8 Oklahoma (10-2)

It was arduous to justify placing a rematch at No. 1 even when the primary sport was exceptionally shut. Alabama turned the ball over thrice in its residence loss to the Sooners in November. These turnovers gave Oklahoma nice area place. The Sooners had simply 212 yards of whole offense within the upset win. Can they rely on forcing turnovers once more? Alabama has dedicated half of its 12 turnovers over the previous 4 video games.

1. CFP first-round sport (Dec. 20, Midday, ABC) No. 10 Miami (10-2) at No. 7 Texas A&M (11-1)

Does the winner of this sport get the last word bragging rights over Notre Dame? The Preventing Irish’s losses to each the Hurricanes and Aggies within the first two weeks of the season saved them out and acquired Miami in. The Aggies had eyes on a first-round bye earlier than dropping to Texas on Black Friday and Miami has gained 5 straight video games after dropping to Louisville. Carson Beck by no means confronted Texas A&M whereas at Georgia and a win in opposition to the Aggies would give him the prospect to begin in opposition to his former crew.