SEC PRIMER (BOWL EDITION): The count is 13... Is that lucky, good or mediocore?
Compiled by GRAHAM DUNN
Thirteen bowl teams.
That includes two teams in the College Football Playoff.
Has there ever been a more impressive end to the season by a conference?
Records were checked. It’s never happened before.
It might again one day since the “bowl season” committee wants everybody to get a trophy.
So, diving into this number…. Does 13 bowls teams from the Southeastern Conference suggest domination? Or is it a sign of mediocrity in the middle of the standings?
You could make a case for both.
Looking outwardly, the SEC was somewhat impressive out of the conference with (collectively) victories over teams such as Clemson, Miami, Louisville, Texas…. Not sure how those wins are rated today. Take out the FCS wins (14-1, thanks Vandy) and the OOC record was 15-7 with the majority of those losses coming against the ACC (four to be exact).
In reality, what does that tell us? The overall wining percentage outside the conference was .857. That’s on par with the average since the league added Arkansas and South Carolina in 1992.
Now look at what happened inside the league. There were upsets with the biggest coming back on Oct. 9 when Texas A&M knocked off top-ranked Alabama. Everything else fell in line, particularly considering that seven teams finished 7-5 or 6-6.
At the time, Kentucky’s win over Florida (Oct. 2) looked like a big deal. Ditto Mississippi State over Texas A&M but those two teams were even in the standings when all was said and done.
Surprises? Certainly Missouri and South Carolina finishing at .500 fits. Most didn’t see Tennessee finishing above .500.
The disappointments were numerous. A&M’s finish after beating the mighty Tide was momentous. In a way, it was a tale of three seasons with the poor start that included inexplicable losses to Arkansas (sorry Razorbacks) and Mississippi State. Then came the Bama upset followed by two more losses that didn’t make much sense.
The Aggies weren’t alone and, in fact, Florida was on top of the list. No one expected the Gators to stay on top in the East. But the total collapse was almost putrid.
That leads us back to the top. Alabama and Georgia lived up to billing – save the discussion of Bama’s close calls for another time – and may end up facing off again in the national championship. No matter how you slice it, that’s the ultimate for a conference.
Back to the original question – is having 13 teams in bowl action a big deal? Yes. Not much will be made of it until a few of these teams lose (and a few will) but the envy is flowing across the college football plain.
Life is good in the SEC.
SEC BOWL GAMES (DEC. 22-JAN.4)
(RANKINGS FROM FINAL CFP POLL)
LOCKHEED MARTIN ARMED FORCES BOWL
Missouri (6-6, 3-5 SEC) vs. Army (8-4)
DEC. 22, 8 p.m. EST • ESPN
Ft. Worth, Texas • Amon Carter Stadium (45,000)
Series: Mizzou leads, 3-1 (Last meeting – 1971, Army, 22-6)
Bowl history (appearances): Mizzou - 33 (Last – 2018 season: Liberty Bowl – Lost to Oklahoma St, 38-33); Army - 9 (Last – 2020 season: Liberty Bowl- Lost to W. Virginia, 24-21)
Last game: Arkansas def. Missouri, 34-17; Navy def. Army, 17-13
What about The LOCKHEED MARTIN ARMED FORCES Bowl
Army played in its first-ever bowl game in 1984. The Knights have won six of their nine appearances and have faced two other SEC opponents, losing to Alabama (’88 Sun Bowl) and Auburn (’96 Independence Bowl).
Missouri was scheduled to play in last year’s Music City Bowl but was cancelled due to COVID-19.
Army LB Andre Carter was the school’s first AP All-American in 31 years.
Mizzou RB Tyler Badie had a career high 41 carries in the season finale against Arkansas, finishing with 219 yards and a TD. He finished third in the nation with 1,604 yards. But he will not play in the bowl game.
Army finished second in the nation in rushing yards per game with 286.4, behind Air Force (341.4). The Black Knights had 3,437 yards rushing for the season.
RRS Prediction: Army 23, Missouri 20 (Army favored by 3.5)
UNION ONE GASPARELLA BOWL
Florida (6-6, 2-6 SEC) vs. Central Florida (8-4, 5-3 AAC)
DEC. 23, 7 p.m. EST • ESPN
Tampa, Fla. • Raymond James Stadium (65,890)
Series: UF leads, 2-0 (Last meeting – 2006, @ UF, 42-0)
Bowl history (appearances): UF - 46 (Last – 2020 season: Cotton Bowl – Lost to Oklahoma, 55-20); UCF - 12 (Last – 2020 season: Boca Ration Bowl- Lost to BYU, 49-23)
Last game: Fla. def. Fla. St 24-21; UCF def. South Fla., 17-13
What about The UNION ONE GASPARELLA Bowl
In two previous meetings, FLA has outscored UCF 100-27 in combined games.
Greg Knox will be interim HC for the game for UF but new coach Billy Napier is expected to be on hand and part of bowl preparations. Knox is 2-0 as an interim coach, winning the final regular season game against FSU and he led Mississippi State to a win in the Gator Bowl in 2017 against Louisville.
UCF coach Gus Malzahn is 0-1 as a head coach against UF with the loss coming in 2019 at Auburn.
UF QB Emory Jones leads the Gators in several offensive categories but has announced his plans to transfer and will not play in the game.
Teams faced that are bowl eligible – UCF 6 (3-3); UF 8 (2-6)
UF enters the game minus-7 in turnover margin while UCF is plus-6.
RRS Prediction: Florida 27, UCF 24 (UF favored by 6.5)
TICKET SMARTER BIRMINGHAM BOWL
Auburn (6-6, 3-5 SEC) vs. Houston (11-2, 8-1 AAC)
DEC. 28 11 a.m. CST • ESPN
Birmingham, AL • Protective Stadium (47,000)
Series: Auburn leads, 5-1 (Last meeting – 1973, AU, 7-0)
Bowl history (appearances): Houston - 28 (Last – 2018 season: Armed Forces Bowl – Lost to Army, 70-14); Auburn - 45 (Last – 2020 season: Citrus Bowl- Lost to Northwestern, 35-19)
Last game: Alabama def. Auburn, 24-22 (4 OT); Cincinnati def. Houston, 35-20 (AAC Championship)
What about The TICKET SMARTER BIRMINGHAM Bowl
Auburn is making its ninth-straight bowl appearance, which ties a school record (1982-90). The two programs have met one other time in a bowl – 1969 Bluebonnet Bowl, a 36-7 Houston win.
Auburn finished the regular season on a four game losing streak, tying the mark in 1976 (one loss was later forfeited back to Auburn). The worst was the Tigers 0-10 season in 1950.
Both teams are making their second appearance in the Birmingham Bowl. Houston played in 2014, losing to Vanderbilt (41-24) while Auburn played in 2015, defeating Memphis, 31-10.
Houston last played an SEC team in 2015, defeating Vanderbilt, 34-0. The Cougars are 5-4 against SEC foes, defeating LSU, Miss St. (three times) and Vandy.
Auburn finished second in the SEC and 13th nationally in TFLs with 7.67 per game.
Houston QB Clayton Tune ranks among national leaders in passing efficiency, completion percentage, passing touchdowns and passing yards.
RRS Prediction: Auburn 24, Houston 20 (Auburn favored by 3)
AUTOZONE LIBERTY BOWL
Mississippi State (7-5, 4-4 SEC) vs. Texas Tech (6-6, 3-6 Big 12)
DEC. 28 5:45 p.m. CST • ESPN
MEMPHIS, TN • Liberty Bowl Stadium (61,000)
Series: Miss St leads, 4-2-1 (Last meeting – 1970, Miss St (@ Jackson, Miss, 20-16)
Bowl history (appearances): Miss St - 24 (Last – 2020 season: Armed Forces Bowl – Def. Tulsa, 28-26); Texas Tech - 38 (Last – 2017 season: Birmingham Bowl- Lost to South Fla, 38-34)
Last game: Ole Miss def. Miss St., 31-21; Baylor def. Texas Tech, 27-24
What about The AUTOZONE LIBERTY Bowl
Mike Leach led Texas Tech to nine bowl berths between 2000-08, winning five games. He is 1-0 at Miss State in bowls.
Texas Tech has not beaten an SEC school in bowl play since 1973 (Tennessee). The Red Raiders are 0-5-1 in that stretch.
Miss St threw 36 touchdowns this season, a school record.
MSU WR Makai Polk broke the school record for receptions with 98 set in 2015 (Fred Ross – 88).
MSU QB Will Rogers has thrown for 300-plus yards in 10 straight games, the nation’s longest streak and holds the season record for passing yards with 4,453.
RRS Prediction: Miss St 27, Texas Tech 24 (Texas Tech favored by 9.5)
DUKE’S MAYO BOWL
South Carolina (6-6, 3-5 SEC) vs. North Carolina (6-6, 4-5 ACC)
DEC. 30, 11:30 a.m. CST • ESPN
CHARLOTTE, NC • Bank of America Stadium (73,778)
Series: UNC leads, 35-19-4 (Last meeting – 2019, UNC, 24-20)
Bowl history (appearances): SC - 13 (Last – 2018 season: Belk Bowl – Lost to Virginia, 28-0); UNC - 35 (Last – 2020 season: Orange Bowl- Lost to Texas A&M, 41-27)
Last game: Clemson def. SC, 30-0; NC St def. UNC, 34-30
What about The DUKE’S MAYO Bowl
South Carolina was slated to play in last year’s Gasparilla Bowl against UAB but the game was canceled due to COVID-19. This is the first trip to a bowl since 2018 (Belk).
Two SC players – DE Kingsley Enagbare and RB ZaQuandre White - will sit out the game to prepare for the NFL draft.
SC came from behind to win five games this season, twice from 14-0 deficits (East Carolina and Auburn).
UNC QB Sam Howell has thrown a touchdown pass in all 36 games, the longest active streak in the country.
UNC WR Josh Downs is the single-season leader in receptions (98) and receiving yards (1,273).
The two teams are slated to open the season against each other in 2023 in Charlotte.
RRS Prediction: North Carolina 34, South Carolina 28 (UNC favored by 9)
TRANS PERFECT MUSIC CITY BOWL
Tennessee (7-5, 5-3 SEC) vs. Purdue (8-4, 6-3 ACC)
DEC. 30, 2 p.m. CST • ESPN
NASHVILLE, TN • Nissan Stadium (69,143)
Series: Purdue leads, 1-0 (Last meeting – 1979, Purdue, 27-22)
Bowl history (appearances): UT - 53 (Last – 2020 season: Gator Bowl – Def Indiana, 23-22); Purdue - 19 (Last – 2018 season: Music City Bowl- Lost to Auburn, 63-14)
Last game: Tenn. def. Vanderbilt, 44-21; Purdue def. Indiana, 44-7
What about The TRANS PERFECT MUSIC CITY Bowl
Purdue won eight games for the first time since 2006 (regular season).
UT QB Hendon Hooker finished the season with a touchdown pass in 11 straight games. He had five games with both a passing and rushing TD.
Purdue held four opponents to 10 or less points for the first time since 1978
UT had three pick six interceptions this season, including one in the final game against Vanderbilt.
Purdue wideout David Bell is among the school career leaders in several categories including second in receiving yards in a single season with 1,286.
RRS Prediction: Tennessee 41, Purdue 37 (Purdue favored by 4.5)
TAXSLAYER GATOR BOWL - CANCELLED (COVID-19)
(25) Texas A&M (8-4, 4-4 SEC) vs. (17) Wake Forest (10-3, 7-3 ACC)
DEC. 31, 11 a.m. EST • ESPN
JACKSONVILLE, FL • TIAA Bank Field (76,867)
Series: Wake Forest leads, 1-0 (Last meeting – 2017 Belk Bowl, Wake, 55-52)
Bowl history (appearances): A&M - 42 (Last – 2020 season: Orange Bowl – Def North Carolina, 42-27); Wake Forest - 15 (Last – 2020 season: Duke’s Mayo Bowl- Lost to Wisconsin, 42-28)
Last game: LSU def. A&M, 27-24; Pitt def. Wake Forest, 45-21 (ACC Championship)
What about The TAXSLAYER GATOR Bowl
Aggies are on a three-game bowl winning streak, with last loss coming at the hands of Wake Forest in the 2017 Belk Bowl.
A&M kicker Seth Small moved to seventh all time in career points in the SEC with 377.
A&M had six sacks in the loss against LSU, which was the most since the 2020 Miss State game.
Wake finished in double digit wins for the second time in program history.
The Deacons broke their single-season record for points with 536. Their 41.2 points per game is currently a program record.
WF Kicker Nick Sciba has an .895 career field goal percentage which is second highest in NCAA history.
RRS Prediction: Texas A&M 31, Wake Forest 30 (A&M favored by 5)
OUTBACK BOWL
(21) Arkansas (8-4, 4-4 SEC) vs. Penn State (7-5, 4-5 Big 10)
JAN. 1, 12 p.m. EST • ESPN2
TAMPA, FL • Raymond James Stadium (65,908)
Series: First meeting
Bowl history (appearances): Arkansas - 42 (Last – 2016 season: Belk Bowl – Lost to Va Tech, 35-24); Penn St - 50 (Last – 2019 season: Cotton Bowl- Def. Memphis, 53-39)
Last game: Ark def. Missouri, 34-17; Mich St. def. Penn St, 30-27
What about The OUTBACK Bowl
First bowl game for Arkansas since 2016 although the Razorbacks were scheduled to play in the Texas Bowl last year against TCU but the game was cancelled due to COVID-19.
Penn State is tied for third in wins in bowl history with 30 (Texas). But the Nittany Lions have lost three of the last five trips.
ARK QB KJ Jefferson had a 49-yard run against Missouri, which tied the longest from scrimmage for the Razorbacks this season (Treylon Burks). It was the longest for an ARK quarterback since 2004 (Matt Jones – 70 yds).
Burks eclipses 1,000 yards in receiving becoming the fourth player in team history to do so.
After starting 5-0, the Nittany Lions lost five of their last seven games by a combined 18 points.
PSU finished the season ranked sixth in the Big 10 in total defense (344 ypg) and seventh in total offense (380 ypg).
RRS Prediction: Arkansas 27, Penn St 21 (Penn St favored by 2)
Vrbo CITRUS BOWL
(22) Kentucky (9-3, 5-3 SEC) vs. (15) Iowa (10-3, 7-3 Big 10)
JAN. 1, 1 p.m. EST • ABC
ORLANDO, FL • Camping World Stadium (65,438)
Series: First meeting
Bowl history (appearances): Kentucky - 20 (Last – 2020 season: Gator Bowl – Def. NC State, 23-21); Iowa - 33 (Last – 2019 season: Holiday Bowl- Def. Southern Cal, 49-24)
Last game: Kentucky def. Louisville, 52-21; Michigan def. Iowa, 42-3 (Big 10 Championship)
What about The Vrbo CITRUS Bowl
KY is making their fourth-consecutive appearance in a bowl game, tying a school record. The Wildcats have won the last three bowl games.
Iowa was scheduled to be in last year’s Music City Bowl against Missouri but was cancelled due to COVID-19.
Both teams are on non-conference winning streaks. KY has won 15 straight while Iowa has won 16 straight.
With 58, Mark Stoops is now two wins behind Paul “Bear” Bryant for most victories as a head coach at Kentucky.
Iowa is plus-19 in turnover margin in its 10 wins but minus-5 in losses. The Hawkeyes have a school record 24 interceptions.
Against Louisville, UK had a season-high 362 yards rushing.
RRS Prediction: Kentucky 23, Iowa 20 (KY favored by 3)
ALL-STATE SUGAR BOWL
(8) Ole Miss (10-2, 6-2 SEC) vs. (7) Baylor (11-2, 8-2 Big 12)
JAN. 1, 7:45 p.m. CST • ESPN
NEW ORLEANS, LA • Caesars Superdome (73,208)
Series: Baylor leads, 1-0 (Last meeting – 1975, Baylor, 20-10)
Bowl history (appearances): Ole Miss - 34 (Last – 2020 season: Outback Bowl – Def. Indiana, 26-20); Baylor - 25 (Last – 2019 season: Sugar Bowl- Lost to Georgia,26-14)
Last game: Ole Miss def. Miss St., 31-21; Baylor def. Okla. St, 21-16 (Big 12 Championship)
What about The ALL-STATE SUGAR Bowl
The Rebels are celebrating the first-ever 10-win season in school history. The Rebels did not allow a point in the final 52 minutes of the win over Miss St.
Ole Miss has played in nine Sugar Bowls, winning six including the defeat of Oklahoma State in the 2016 edition.
Baylor played in the Sugar Bowl two years ago, losing to Georgia. The only other trip came in 1956, a win over Tennessee at Tulane Stadium.
Baylor won its ninth conference championship and the first since going back-to-back in 2013-2014.
Ole Miss QB Matt Corral finished the regular season with a 68-percent completion rating.
DE Sam Williams finished with a school-record 12.5 sacks, which was good for fourth in the nation.
RRS Prediction: Ole Miss 31, Baylor 24 (Ole Miss favored by 1)
TaxAct TEXAS BOWL
LSU (6-6, 3-5 SEC) vs. Kansas St (7-5, 4-5 Big 12)
JAN. 4, 8 p.m. CST • ESPN
HOUSTON, TX • NRG Stadium (71,054)
Series: LSU leads, 1-0 (Last meeting – 1980, @ LSU, 21-0)
Bowl history (appearances): LSU - 52 (Last – 2019 season: Fiesta Bowl (CFP semis) – Def. Okla, 63-28/ CFP National Championship – Def. Clemson, 42-25); K-State - 22 (Last – 2019 season: Liberty Bowl- Lost to Navy, 20-17)
Last game: LSU def. Texas A&M., 27-24; Texas def. K-St, 22-17
What about The TaxAct TEXAS Bowl
Since winning the national championship in 2019, LSU is 11-11 overall and 8-10 in the SEC in last two seasons.
LSU freshman Garrett Nussmeier is expected to start at quarterback after Max Johnson announced his intentions to transfer (headed to Texas A&M).
K-State had at least nine TFLs in four of the last five games of the season.
LSU running back Ty Davis-Price finished the season with more than 1,000 yards rushing, the 15th Tiger to do so in program history.
K-State RB Deuce Vaughn finished the season with 1,729 all-purpose yards and 1,258 yards rushing in 2021.
LSU kicker Cade York converted his 15th field goal of 50 yards or more in the win over Texas A&M. It was his fifth of the season.
RRS Prediction: Kansas State 27, LSU 24 (K-State favored by 1.5)
CFP SEMIFINAL at the GOODYEAR COTTON BOWL
(1) Alabama (12-1, 7-1 SEC) vs. (4) Cincinnati (13-0, 8-0 AAC)
DEC. 31, 2:30 p.m. CST • ESPN
Arlington, Texas • AT&T Stadium (80,000)
Series: Bama leads, 5-0 (Last meeting – 1990, @ Bama (B’ham), 45-7)
Bowl history (appearances): Bama - 68 (Last – 2020 season: Rose Bowl - def. Notre Dame/CFP Championship – def. Ohio State, 52-24); Cincinnati - 19 (Last – 2020: Peach Bowl - Lost to Georgia, 52-46)
Last game: Bama def. Georgia (SEC Championship), 41-24; Cincinnati def. Houston (AAC Championship), 35-20
What about The CFP at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl
Alabama is making its first appearance in the Cotton Bowl since defeating Michigan State in 2015. The Crimson Tide has made eight appearances in the bowl and has a 4-4 record. The Tide also played in the Rose Bowl last year in AT&T Stadium. Cincinnati is making its first trip to the Cotton Bowl.
Alabama finished second in the nation in yards rushing allowed with a 2.51 ave. per carry.
Cincinnati is 13-0 for the first time in school history but the program enjoyed a 13-game win streak between 1953-54.
Cincinnati is 37-2 when leading at halftime under Luke Fickell.
UC RB Jerome Ford transferred to the Bearcats from Alabama in 2020 and has 1,242 yards rushing this season. He had 141 yards on 31 carries with a touchdown in two years at Alabama.
UC QB Desmond Ritter has five games with at least five TD passes. He has 6,905 career passing yards.
UA QB Bryce Young led the SEC with 43 TD passes and was among the leaders in passing completion percentage at 68 percent.
The Bearcats defense was second in the nation in passing defense averaging 168.2 yards per game. Alabama was seventh in the nation in passing offense, averaging 347.9 yards per game.
RRS Prediction: Alabama 31, Cincinnati 20 (Bama favored by 13.5)
CFP SEMIFINAL at the CAPITAL ONE ORANGE BOWL
(3) Georgia (12-1, 8-0 SEC) vs. (2) Michigan (12-1, 8-1 Big 10)
DEC. 31, 6:30 p.m. CST • ESPN
Miami Gardens, Fla. • Hard Rock Stadium (65,300)
Series: Tied, 1-1 (Last meeting – 1965, UGA, 15-7)
Bowl history (appearances): UGA - 58 (Last – 2020 season: Peach Bowl - Def. Cincinnati, 24-21); Michigan - 48 (Last – 2019 season: Citrus Bowl- Lost to Alabama, 35-16)
Last game: Alabama def. Georgia (SEC Championship), 41-24; Michigan def. Iowa (Big 10 Championship), 42-3
What about The CFP at the CAPITAL ORANGE Bowl
Georgia is making its 58th bowl appearance in school history, second most to Alabama. It is their 25th consecutive bowl appearance, which is the longest active streak in the country. It is the third appearance in the Orange Bowl.
Michigan has lost its last four bowl appearances wit three of those against SEC foes (Alabama, South Carolina and Florida).
Michigan won its first Big 10 title since 2004, the 43rd in school history, which leads the league. The Wolverines earned their first 12-win season since 1997.
Michigan Heisman finalist Aiden Hutchinson holds school record for sacks with 14.
Michigan RB Hassan Haskins set the single season rushing touchdown record with two against Iowa in the Big 10 championship game (20).
UGA freshman TE Brock Bowers had 10 catches for 139 yards and a touchdown in the SEC Championship game against Alabama. He was the SEC Freshman of the Year.
Both teams are in the top four nationally in scoring defense with UGA leading the nation at 9.5 ppg while Michigan is allowing 16.1 ppg, good for fourth.
RRS Prediction: Georgia 23, Michigan 20 (UGA favored by 7.5)
RRS RECORD: Final week: 0-1 (1-0 vs. spread); Season: 88-27 (46-50-1 vs. spread)