Houston, TCU feeling great about bowl wins
— -- The bowls are over, and unless you're a Clemson or an Alabama fan, you're probably in a reflective mood.
So, how do you feel about your team? Wait, before you answer, remember that bowl results shouldn't be viewed in a vacuum.
Some bowl wins cause justified euphoria, which lingers throughout the seemingly endless offseason. Some bowl losses cap disappointing seasons, or sully promising ones.
There are many factors involved: quality of bowl, quality of opponent, coaching changes/absences, personnel absences, in-game competitiveness, pre-bowl record, overall record, and preseason expectations ... just to name a few.
Here's an attempt to gauge the post-bowl mood for all 80 participating teams, assigning each to one of three categories, and spotlighting five of the best examples in each category. Not surprisingly, most teams end up in the middle.
ON CLOUD NINE (17)
Others: Clemson (regardless of championship game result), Alabama (with championship game win), Tennessee, Ole Miss, Western Kentucky, Washington State, Toledo, Georgia Southern, Navy, Appalachian State, Marshall, Western Michigan
MIDDLE GROUND (44)
Others: Alabama (with championship game loss), Oklahoma, Michigan State, Georgia, Boise State, Notre Dame, Arizona, Cal, Mississippi State, Duke, Utah, LSU, Wisconsin, South Florida, Arkansas, Washington, Akron, Temple, Nevada, Indiana, Bowling Green, Auburn (just barely), Miami, Louisiana Tech, Middle Tennessee, Louisville, Virginia Tech, Nebraska, Minnesota, Pittsburgh, Colorado State, New Mexico, Ohio, Central Michigan, San Jose State, Arkansas State, Connecticut, Southern Miss, Tulsa, Air Force
DOWN IN THE DUMPS (19)
Others: USC, Texas A&M, Oklahoma State, Florida State, Arizona State, Utah State, Texas Tech, NC State, Northern Illinois, BYU, Memphis, Kansas State, Cincinnati, Georgia State
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