For all of the time that goes in to determining which teams make it to every individual bowl games – including the playoffs – it’s pretty amazing that three teams with losing records will actually play another game this season. Heading into this season, there were only four teams in the history of college football to reach bowl games despite having losing records. That number will almost double with three five-win teams earning invites. Nebraska, Minnesota and San Jose State will go bowling after making the final cut based on the fact they own the highest Academic Progress Rate score of the eligible five-win teams. Here is a look at their bowl game matchups for all three five-win teams.
AutoNation Cure Bowl: Georgia State (6-6) vs. San Jose State (5-7)
Saturday December 19, 2015 – 7 PM ET
The fact that San Jose State reached a bowl games despite a 5-7 record that included a loss to 2-10 Oregon State is considered an absolute travesty by some. However, rules are rules and their APR was enough to get them in with five wins. The Spartans registered only two wins over teams with winning records this season. As impressive as running back Tyler Ervin has been this season, he is not going to be able to carry San Jose State to a win on his own. Georgia State won’t blow the Spartans out of the water but they should be able to find a way to win one of the most unappealing games of this upcoming bowl season.
Foster Farms Bowl: UCLA (8-4) vs. Nebraska (5-7)
Saturday December 26, 2015 – 9:15 PM ET
This might actually be the most intriguing matchup of the three with UCLA an eight-win team and Nebraska considered a team that underachieved based on its talent this season. The Huskers are at least a big enough program to merit some attention – especially when you consider their upset of Michigan State. That was the only team the Spartans lost to this season. They will be trying to slow down true freshman Josh Rosen on the heels of a quality season in which he responded well after being thrown into the fire right away.
UCLA has posted at least nine wins in three consecutive seasons and there is a very good chance they make it four in a row when they clash with a Nebraska team that simply doesn’t have the talent to keep up with them.
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Quick Lane Bowl Central Michigan (7-5) vs. Minnesota (5-7)
Monday December 28, 2015 – 5:00 PM ET
Central Michigan has some good wins this year and will have the benefit of playing what amounts to a home game at Ford Field in the Quick Lane Bowl. Minnesota can win this game and still finish with a losing record but the more likely scenario has Chippewas finding a way to get the job done in order to hit the eight-win mark and complete the sweep of five-win teams losing their respective bowl games.
Central Michigan has had an interesting season as most of their struggles came early. They’ve played some tough games this year, which includes the likes of Oklahoma State, Michigan State and Western Michigan. They ended up losing four of their first six games this year before turning the tide and finishing the year as one of the hottest teams in the country. They actually won five of their final six games and come into this spot with plenty of momentum.
As for Minnesota, they come in at the opposite end of the momentum spectrum. This is a team that’s dropped five of their last six games with their lone win coming at home against Illinois. That’s nothing to hang your hat on. The Gophers might have the best chance of any of the teams with losing records to score an upset if they play like they did earlier in the year (started 4-2) but it’s still unlikely given the momentum of both sides.
