The top 2023-24 bowl season storylines

The ultimate four-team School Soccer Playoff is more likely to go down as probably the most controversial of all of them. There have been as many as six groups worthy of inclusion, however in the long run, No. 1 Michigan (13-0), No. 2 Washington (13-0), No. 3 Texas (12-1) and No. 4 Alabama (12-1) made the lower. And, fairly truthfully, the Michigan-Alabama and Washington-Texas matchups convey one of the best leisure worth for these trying to spend New 12 months’s Day on the sofa -— hungover or not — watching soccer. A critical case will be made that every of those 4 groups has a critical shot at profitable all of it.

Earlier than we get into the groups that will likely be a part of the 2024 CFP, let’s concerning the ones who aren’t. Florida State, 13-0 and ACC champion, was omitted from the CFP subject (the primary undefeated, Energy 5 Convention champ to have that occur), and can doubtless go down as the most important snub within the historical past of the four-team playoff period, and opened the door for numerous underlying meanings for the choice. Now, arguments will be made for or towards the Seminoles making the playoff. The very fact is, with out injured star quarterback Jordan Travis (2,755 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, two interceptions in 2023), Florida State is just not as potent. In 11 video games with Travis, the Seminoles averaged 38.8 factors, however totaled 40 within the two with out him. That mentioned, Florida State does have the chance to shove it within the face of the CFP committee and its critics by beating Georgia within the Orange Bowl.

Michigan earned the No. 1 spot within the CFP playoff, Jim Harbaugh is again from suspension and the Wolverines protection hasn’t allowed greater than 24 factors in a sport this season — and greater than 19 simply twice. But, they’re just one 1/2-point favorites towards Alabama within the Rose Bowl semifinal. Due to the alleged play-stealing incident and Harbaugh’s matter-of-fact method to all of it, Michigan is perhaps the group we like to hate on this 12 months’s CFP as this system makes a 3rd straight playoff look whereas making an attempt for its first title since 1997. Including to the intrigue, nevertheless the Wolverines fare: Is that this the tip of the road for Harbaugh at Ann Arbor?

One participant would not often maintain a group’s fortune of their collective fingers. Nevertheless, in the case of Alabama’s possibilities of beating Michigan, then both Texas or Washington, to regain its spot atop the school soccer world, the aforementioned Jalen Milroe might be the important thing to this system’s playoff success. Since being picked off twice and sacked 5 occasions towards Texas, then not enjoying in any respect in a 17-3 win over South Florida, Milroe has accomplished 66.7 % of his passes, thrown 18 touchdowns — to simply 4 interceptions — and rushed for 10 scores in beginning the final 10 video games to complete sixth within the Heisman Trophy voting. Now, can he deal with Michigan’s vaunted protection?

Two seasons faraway from a 4-8 effort, Washington is among the many 4 finest groups within the nation. An enormous purpose for the Huskies’ 2023 success is the resilient Michael Penix Jr., the previous Indiana quarterback, who overcame a historical past of knee accidents to finish 65.5 % of his passes for 8,859 yards with 64 touchdowns and 17 interceptions whereas main Washington to a 24-2 document and the ultimate Pac-12 title in his two seasons in Seattle. Really feel-good sports activities tales do not get significantly better than his, and Penix, who completed second within the 2023 Heisman Trophy voting, is straightforward to root for.

School soccer followers may neglect that Washington and Texas confronted off within the Alamo Bowl final season. The Longhorns’ Quinn Ewers threw for 369 yards with a landing, however the Huskies gained 27-20. The aforementioned Michael Penix threw for 287 yards and two touchdowns with a choose in that contest. With Texas averaging 37.1 factors throughout its seven-game profitable streak and Washington scoring 37.7 factors on the season, one would count on the scoreboard on the Superdome to get extra of a exercise when the 2 rematch on the Sugar Bowl. Texas is the the decrease seed, however a four-point favourite for this nationwide semifinal sport. 

When speaking New 12 months’s Six bowl matchups, Florida State-Georgia may supply probably the most intrigue, however in the case of leisure worth, our cash is on the Fiesta Bowl matchup of Oregon (11-2) — which suffered its solely losses to Washington — towards Group of 5 stud Liberty (13-0). Final season, Tulane surprised USC within the Cotton Bowl, and the undefeated Flames will take their shot at pulling off a fair larger upset (they’re 17 1/2-point canine). And, for many who like offense, this is perhaps your sport. Led by Heisman finalist Bo Nix (4,145 passing yards, 77.2 completion proportion, 40 touchdowns, three interceptions, six dashing TDs), Oregon ranks second within the nation in common scoring (44.2 factors), complete yards (527.4) and first in common passing yards (344.1). In the meantime, Liberty and Kaidon Salter (2,750 passing yards, 60.9 completion proportion, 31 touchdowns, 5 interceptions; 1,064 dashing yards, 12 dashing TDs), are fifth within the nation in scoring (40.8 factors), third in common complete yards (514.9) and boast America’s high dashing offense at 302.9 yards per sport.

Staying with the New 12 months’s Six, regulate the Cotton Bowl. Missouri (10-2) is a well-liked bowl choose, and enter as 2 1/2-point favorites towards Ohio State (11-1), which gave the impression to be effective with quarterback Kyle McCord coming into the switch portal. It seems Devin Brown will likely be beneath heart for the Buckeyes, who’re awaiting to see if star receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (67 receptions, 1,211 yards, 14 touchdowns) will decide out of the Cotton Bowl, too. In the meantime, the media loves Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz, whose squad’s solely losses got here to LSU and Georgia — however it totaled 60 factors in each video games.

No shock that Caleb Williams has opted out of USC’s Vacation Bowl matchup with Louisville. Williams, who can be set to forego his senior season for the NFL, had a stable follow-up to his Heisman Trophy-winning season by finishing 68.6 % of his passes for 3,633 yards with 30 touchdowns and 5 interceptions, and in addition dashing for 11 TDs, in 2023. Nevertheless, the Trojans as soon as once more underachieved whereas going 1-5 following 6-0 begin. Whereas Williams is little doubt the school sport’s greatest identify to decide out of a bowl sport, there are a lot extra distinguished gamers who will do the identical.

Throughout this period of the switch portal, there’s maybe a very good likelihood down the highway that Jaylen Raynor will likely be enjoying for a perennial nationwide school soccer energy. For the second, he is about to conclude a stellar true freshman season as Arkansas State’s quarterback. Usually, Dec. 23’s Camellia Bowl wouldn’t be appointment viewing for many, however school soccer followers may wish to take a look at Raynor when his Purple Wolves face Northern Illinois. Raynor simply is perhaps probably the most thrilling participant in school soccer that no person has heard of this season. He debuted in Arkansas State’s third sport of the season towards Stony Brook, and has held the beginning quarterback spot ever since, throwing for two,293 yards with 15 touchdowns, six interceptions and 5 dashing TDs in 10 video games.

On the lookout for a non-CFP or New 12 months’s Six matchup to not miss? Attempt the Armed Forces Bowl. This Dec. 23 contest pits Air Drive, which began 8-0 earlier than dropping its closing 4 video games, however ranks second within the nation with its choice offense averaging 275.8 dashing yards, towards 11-1 upstart James Madison, in its second FBS season — for the FCS. Usually the Dukes, who permit a median of 18.5 factors, wouldn’t be eligible for a bowl sport whereas nonetheless within the transitional part of its FBS tenure, however since there weren’t sufficient eligible groups (reaching a 6-6 or higher document) to fill the 82 bowl slots this season, James Madison was granted a much-deserved spot after beating the likes of Virginia and Troy this season. JMU additionally occurs to be a 2 1/2-point favourite.

James Madison is just not the one transitional FBS soccer program headed to a bowl sport. Jacksonville State, in its first season on the high stage of faculty soccer, went 8-4, together with 6-2 in Convention USA, for 2023. Notable wins for the Gamecocks, who’ve held six opponents to 17 or fewer factors this season, included Jap Michigan and Western Kentucky — each bowl groups. And, as a result of there are too few eligible bowl groups, Jacksonville State will tackle Louisiana within the New Orleans Bowl on Dec. 16.

Minnesota went 5-7 and completed final within the Huge Ten West Division, and but — for the second time in a decade — it is going bowling. However, as famous, there weren’t sufficient groups eligible at 6-6, so after James Madison and Jacksonville State certified with their profitable data regardless of being a transitional interval, the Gophers earned the 82nd and closing bowl spot due to having the very best Tutorial Progress Price rating amongst these 5-7 groups. Minnesota, which earned a bowl bid the identical approach in 2015, will face Bowling Inexperienced within the Fast Lane Bowl on Dec. 26. 

Wanting on the bowl schedule, the hardcore school soccer fan may surprise what occurred to the Bahamas Bowl? Not often the sexiest contest on the annual bowl slate, however watching soccer in a warm-weather paradise just like the Bahamas is soothing for these in cold-weather climates. Do not fret, the 2023 Bahamas Bowl, pitting Outdated Dominion versus Western Kentucky, has been quickly relocated to Charlotte, N.C. and renamed the Well-known Toastery Bowl, whereas renovations proceed on Thomas A. Robinson Stadium in Nassau. This 12 months’s sport will likely be performed on Monday, Dec. 18. The bowl is anticipated to return to the Bahamas for 2024.