It is unbeaten and top-ranked Indiana in opposition to Tenth-seeded Miami for the School Soccer Playoff Nationwide Championship later this month in Miami Gardens, Florida — similar to all of us thought. The 2025 season was something however predictable and that has continued all through the bowl slate, which culminates on Jan. 19 when a nationwide champion is topped.
We noticed loads of choose outs in latest weeks and mass teaching adjustments impression outcomes, however for each rout, there have been aggressive matchups throughout the board. The SEC took one on the chin through the postseason and did not push a crew into the CFP remaining for the third straight marketing campaign.
The Pop-Tarts Bowl — even with out Notre Dame — was the second-most-watched sport of the postseason outdoors of the playoff, a results of how effectively that matchup is marketed via edible mascots, hilarious shenanigans and a trophy that moonlights as a working toaster.
Here is how we rank the 41 bowl outcomes since mid-December forward of the nationwide championship sport that includes the Hoosiers and Hurricanes.
Indiana flirting with all-time nice standing as Hoosiers plow via Oregon, into CFP Nationwide Championship
John Talty
41. LA Bowl
Washington 38, Boise State 10: 4 landing passes by Demond Williams Jr., together with 86 yards speeding and a rating from Jonah Coleman in his remaining sport, led a Huskies crew that was freed from opt-outs underneath coach Jedd Fisch. A number of groups failed to point out through the postseason, and surprisingly, Boise State was certainly one of them. The Mountain West champions turned it over 5 occasions in a matchup that was by no means aggressive.
Pregame rating: No. 23
40. Myrtle Seaside Bowl
Western Michigan 41, Kennesaw State 6: Western Michigan received 10 video games for the second time in program historical past because of a 27-point first quarter on the seaside earlier than Christmas. Jalen Buckley rushed for 174 yards for the Broncos, had been who coming off a win over Miami (OH) to win the MAC. The Myrtle Seaside Bowl was the one bowl sport outdoors of the School Soccer Playoff to characteristic a pair of convention champions, however just one confirmed up. Kennesaw State was making its first bowl look as an FBS crew after becoming a member of final season.
Pregame rating: No. 26
39. First Responder Bowl
UTSA 57, FIU 20: FIU ended a six-year bowl drought with the sport’s first 14 factors earlier than UTSA ran off 38 straight at one level, fueled by three touchdowns from Will Henderson III. It was an unsightly outing for the Panthers following the early two-score lead.
Pregame rating: No. 33
38. GameAbove Sports activities Bowl
Northwestern 34, Central Michigan 7: Make that six straight postseason wins for the Wildcats, who have not misplaced a bowl sport for the reason that 2015 Outback Bowl. Preston Stone completed with three touchdowns passes and Northwestern by no means trailed after breaking open a scoreless sport with a 21-point second quarter.
Pregame rating: No. 28
Fresno State 18, Miami (OH) 3: Snoop Dogg caught the opening kickoff with a diving snare behind the tip zone, however sadly, that was the lone spotlight on this one. Dylan Lynch kicked 4 subject objectives for Fresno State to assist get first-year coach Matt Entz his first bowl win.
Pregame rating: No. 35
36. Fenway Bowl
Military 41, UConn 16: Black Knights quarterback Cale Hellums accounted for 4 touchdowns and Military received its second straight bowl sport underneath Jeff Monken. UConn performed with out quarterback Joe Fagnano, who threw for 3,448 yards, 28 touchdowns and one interception this season earlier than opting out in prep for the NFL Draft. The Huskies had been additionally with out coach Jim Mora, who assumed the position at Colorado State.
Pregame rating: No. 34
Navy 35, Cincinnati 13: In his remaining sport for the Midshipmen, senior quarterback Blake Horvath threw two landing passes and ran for an additional to help Navy in successful its eleventh sport. Greater than a half-dozen regulars missed the competition for the Bearcats, who performed with out quarterback Brendan Sorsby and main rusher Tawee Walker after each entered the switch portal.
Pregame rating: No. 20
34. Armed Forces Bowl
Texas State 41, Rice 10: One among a pair five-win squads to fill out the bowl schedule, Rice struggled to include Texas State’s explosive offense throughout a contest that opened up within the third quarter after the Bobcats ran off 17 straight factors. Texas State sign caller Brad Jackson was chargeable for 4 complete touchdowns within the win.
Pregame rating: No. 30
33. Independence Bowl
Louisiana Tech 23, Coastal Carolina 14: Trailing 14-6 getting into the fourth quarter in Shreveport, Louisiana, the Bulldogs outscored the Chanticleers 17-0 within the remaining body to select up their eighth win. This one was marred by flags within the first half after the groups mixed for 17 penalties, probably the most in a half throughout any FBS sport this season.
Pregame rating: No. 36
32. Birmingham Bowl
Georgia Southern 29, Appalachian State 10: Make that two wins for Georgia Southern over Appalachian State this season after the Mountaineers jumped in line for a bowl alternative following a number of eligible groups opting out of the postseason. This time round, this rivalry matchup wasn’t shut because of OJ Arnold’s 152 yards speeding on 11 carries. Fourth-year Georgia Southern coach Clay Helton has now led the Eagles to 4 consecutive bowl appearances, a program first.
Pregame rating: No. 40
31. 68Ventures Bowl
Delaware 20, Louisiana 13: The Fightin’ Blue Hens’ first 12 months within the FBS ranks was a raging success, culminating with this system’s bowl victory over the Ragin’ Cajuns. Delaware petitioned the NCAA for a postseason waiver at 6-6 general since groups usually are not typically chosen through the first season of transition from the FCS. A purpose line stand within the remaining seconds preserved the win for Delaware.
Pregame rating: No. 41
30. Remedy Bowl
Outdated Dominion 24, South Florida 10: Outdated Dominion received 10 video games for the primary time since 2016. Monarchs second-team quarterback Quinn Henicle rushed for 107 yards and two touchdowns, together with a 51-yard rating with 2:57 left that clinched the victory. It was Outdated Dominion’s sixth straight win to finish the marketing campaign and got here in opposition to a USF squad that was as soon as ranked inside the highest 25 earlier than floundering late underneath outgoing coach Alex Golesh and star Byrum Brown, who each went to Auburn.
Pregame rating: No. 24
29. Gasparilla Bowl
NC State 31, Memphis 7: Earlier than asserting he would return for an additional season with the Wolfpack, quarterback C.J. Bailey threw for 221 yards, two touchdowns and ran for an additional throughout NC State’s eighth win. It was the Wolfpack’s first postseason victory for the reason that 2017 Belk Bowl whereas Memphis is certainly one of seven FBS packages with an lively streak of 12 or extra consecutive bowl invites.
Pregame rating: No. 17
28. New Orleans Bowl
Western Kentucky 27, Southern Miss 16: Toast to Maverick McIvor, WKU’s backup quarterback who led three landing drives within the second half off the bench to gasoline his crew’s rally contained in the Superdome. The Hilltoppers have now performed in a bowl sport seven consecutive seasons and are 5-2 throughout that postseason stretch.
Pregame rating: No. 29
27. Potato Bowl
Washington State 34, Utah State 21: A precursor to 2026’s new-look Pac-12 for each groups, the Cougars piled up 628 yards of complete offense with defensive coordinator Jesse Bobbit calling the pictures following head coach Jimmy Rogers’ exit for Iowa State. Washington State employed Missouri offensive coordinator Kirby Moore to take over and he was capable of watch Zevi Eckhaus throw for a season-high 334 yards with three touchdowns.
Pregame rating: No. 32
26. Xbox Bowl
Arkansas State 34, Missouri State 28: One standout throughout the Group of 5 who didn’t choose out of his postseason alternative was Arkansas State’s Corey Rucker, a multi-year starter who completed his profession with a 166-yard efficiency. Arkansas State’s all-time chief in each receiving yards and receiving touchdowns, Rucker’s 71-yard rating within the second quarter gave the Pink Wolves a 14-0 benefit which was pushed to 24 factors by the tip of the third quarter.
Pregame rating: No. 39
25. Mayo Bowl
Wake Forest 43, Mississippi State 29: Demon Deacons coach Jake Dickert introduced his total household on the postgame stage for the mayo bathtub and licked a handful off his shirt. “Tastes like victory,” Dickert mentioned after Wake Forest’s ninth win, a lot of the manufacturing coming by way of quarterback Robby Ashford. The South Carolina switch’s remaining sport featured 353 yards of complete offense and 5 touchdowns for Wake Forest in opposition to a five-win Bulldogs crew.
Pregame rating: No. 21
24. Las Vegas Bowl
Utah 44, Nebraska 22: No Kyle Whittingham, no drawback for the Utes, who disposed of a Dylan Raiola-less Huskers crew with a flurry of explosive performs from quarterback Devon Dampier. Dampier threw for 310 yards and two touchdowns and ran for an additional 148 yards and three scores to steer the rout in Morgan Scalley’s first sport as Utah’s new coach.
Pregame rating: No. 15
23. Salute to Veterans Bowl
Jacksonville State 17, Troy 13: Andrew Paul’s 1-yard run on a direct snap pushed Jacksonville State forward with 5:44 remaining and the Gamecocks prevailed after batting down a Hail Mary try in the long run zone as time expired. The win snapped Troy’s seven-game successful streak within the rivalry that had not been performed since 2001 regardless of the packages being separated by simply 160 miles.
Pregame rating: No. 38
22. Frisco Bowl
Ohio 17, UNLV 10: UNLV’s first season underneath Dan Mullen ended with a dud in opposition to the Bobcats, who’ve now received their final seven bowl video games courting again to 2017. UNLV’s run of scoring 20 or extra factors ended at 35 video games, which led school soccer, and the Rebels fell wanting grabbing that elusive eleventh win because the Mountain West’s runner-up.
Pregame rating: No. 31
21. Orange Bowl
Oregon 23, Texas Tech 0: Solely two of the 4 CFP quarterfinal matchups had been aggressive this season and this was not certainly one of them. Oregon held certainly one of school soccer’s most high-powered offenses to 215 complete yards and 10 first downs, dominating the Massive 12 champions whereas forcing 4 turnovers. It wasn’t the Geese’ greatest offensive efficiency, however the defensive displaying was sufficient to hold Oregon into the semifinals.
Pregame rating: No. 5
20. Rose Bowl
Indiana 38, Alabama 3: Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza had extra landing passes (3) than incompletions (2) through the Hoosiers’ second look in Pasadena and led a memorable beatdown of the SEC runner-up. The most-lopsided bowl loss in program historical past for the Crimson Tide resulted in Alabama’s second consecutive four-loss season underneath Kalen DeBoer. Final season’s Rose Bowl — which included a 34-point, first-half lead by eventual nationwide champion Ohio State — was extra entertaining than this one. Then once more, for those who respect greatness, it was one for the ages for the Indiana trustworthy.
Pregame rating: No. 4
19. Peach Bowl
Indiana 56, Oregon 22: Depart it to Curt Cignetti and the Hoosiers to personal a pair of lopsided CFP wins this bowl season, the punctuation mark coming in Friday evening’s showdown in opposition to the Geese in Atlanta. From the choose six on the primary play from scrimmage to Mendoza’s three first-half landing passes, this was over in a rush for the title game-bound Hoosiers. Yet another win and Indiana turns into the primary 16-0 crew in school soccer historical past.
Pregame rating: No. 2
18. Vacation Bowl
SMU 24, Arizona 19: Regardless of three interceptions from Kevin Jennings, the Mustangs held on to snuff out Arizona’s shot at a tenth win with an onside kick restoration within the remaining moments after a valiant comeback try from the Wildcats. Trailing 24-0 at halftime, Noah Fifita’s landing move with 33 seconds left trimmed the deficit to 5.
Pregame rating: No. 16
17. Boca Raton Bowl
Louisville 27, Toledo 22: These two groups mixed for 32 fourth-quarter factors after Toledo practically rallied from an 18-point deficit. Louisville quarterback Miller Moss completed his school profession with two landing passes whereas Isaac Brown added a pair scores on the bottom for the Cardinals. Louisville completed 9-4 underneath Jeff Brohm, whose greatest win got here in opposition to then second-ranked Miami in mid-October.
Pregame rating: No. 37
16. Gator Bowl
Virginia 13, Missouri 7: Regardless of enjoying with out star working again J’Mari Taylor, main receiver Trell Harris and linebackers Kam Robinson and Maddox Marcellus, Virginia capped a “particular 12 months” underneath Tony Elliott with its eleventh win — a program first. Harrison Waylee capped a 19-play, 75-yard drive that chewed minutes off the clock to open the second half and that proved the distinction for Virginia, the ACC runner-up.
Pregame rating: No. 14
15. Pinstripe Bowl
Penn State 22, Clemson 10: Regardless of droves of opt-outs for each underachieving groups, this was the most-watched Pinstripe Bowl of all-time on a frigid subject inside Yankee Stadium. Trebor Pena’s 73-yard landing reception within the fourth quarter put it away for Penn State. The Nittany Lions ended their season on a four-game successful streak underneath interim coach Terry Smith following the firing of James Franklin.
Pregame rating: No. 8
14. Price Bowl
Minnesota 20, New Mexico 17 (OT): Due to Jalen Smith’s diving landing catch in extra time, the Golden Gophers joined USC and Utah for the second-longest bowl successful streak in school soccer historical past (9). Solely Florida State has received extra (11), doing so from 1985 via the 1995 season. This one went to an additional session after a wild sequence within the fourth quarter highlighted by Damon Bankston’s 100-yard kickoff return for a rating and New Mexico’s trick play two-point conversion to tie it.
Pregame rating: No. 27
Houston 38, LSU 35: The Cougars erased an early two-touchdown deficit behind 4 landing passes and 236 yards passing from Conner Weigman, a former Texas A&M switch who beat an ex-SEC rival. Houston managed a six-win enchancment in Willie Fritz’s second season and will end inside the highest 25 at 10-3 general. For LSU, a forgettable marketing campaign as a preseason nationwide championship hopeful ended outdoors of the nationwide rankings.
Pregame rating: No. 18
12. Music Metropolis Bowl
Illinois 30, Tennessee 28: David Olano’s 28-yard subject purpose as time expired lifted Illinois to its second straight bowl win over an SEC crew as a betting underdog and gave coach Bret Bielema extra bragging rights in opposition to his former league. Illinois managed the primary back-to-back nine-win seasons in program historical past and did so by limiting one of many nation’s most explosive offenses to simply 278 complete yards.
Pregame rating: No. 19
11. ReliaQuest Bowl
Iowa 34, Vanderbilt 27: The Hawkeyes bolted to a 21-3 lead within the third quarter in opposition to Heisman runner-up Diego Pavia and the Commodores, however Vanderbilt pulled to inside a single possession three separate occasions the remainder of the best way. Iowa remained in management thanks to a few complete touchdowns from Mark Gronowski to disclaim Vanderbilt of its eleventh win. Pavia completed with 383 yards of complete offense and three scores in his remaining sport in spite of everything however guaranteeing his crew would end bowl season with a victory.
Pregame rating: No. 10
10. Army Bowl
East Carolina 23, Pittsburgh 17: Enjoying with out each coordinators together with their star quarterback and working again, the Pirates nonetheless managed to carry off the Panthers as a double-digit underdog in Annapolis. This one featured one of many craziest momentum swings of the postseason through the third quarter. After ECU working again Marlon Gunn’s lengthy landing run was wiped off the board because of an inadvertent whistle, Pitt’s Rasheem Biles returned a fumble for a landing to offer the Panthers the lead. On ECU’s subsequent possession, Anthony Smith’s 72-yard rating regained the lead for the Pirates. ECU pressured 5 turnovers within the contest.
Pregame rating: No. 11
9. Citrus Bowl
Texas 41, Michigan 27: Arch Manning’s brilliance pushed the Longhorns to win No. 10 after the first-year starter capped a season-best effort on the bottom with a clinching 60-yard landing run late. Manning galloped his strategy to 155 yards speeding and two touchdowns, whereas including 221 yards via the air and two scores to steer Texas. Interim coach Biff Poggi tried to unleash Wolverines freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood and the passing sport (199 yards, two touchdowns, three interceptions on 42 makes an attempt) on this one, however Texas managed a number of takeaways within the second half.
Pregame rating: No. 7
8. Cotton Bowl
Miami 24, Ohio State 14: Keionte Scott will always remember his interception return for a landing on an errant display screen move within the first half that spearheaded Miami’s second-round playoff win over the favored Buckeyes. The Hurricanes’ protection had its method in opposition to the defending nationwide champions, who by no means led and solely managed six yards on their remaining 9 performs from scrimmage after trimming what was as soon as a 14-point deficit to a few factors early within the fourth quarter. This was Mario Cristobal’s best hour at Miami.
Pregame rating: No. 3
7. Alamo Bowl
TCU 30, USC 27 (OT): Dealing with third-and-20 from the 35 in extra time, TCU quarterback Ken Seals dumped a move to working again Jeremy Payne within the flat in hopes of enhancing subject purpose positioning earlier than the ballcarrier discovered the tip zone with a tip-toe dance down the sideline. The walk-off win for the Horned Frogs got here with out a number of starters, together with OC Kendal Briles. USC did not win 10 video games for the third straight marketing campaign underneath Lincoln Riley.
Pregame rating: No. 13
6. Solar Bowl
Duke 42, Arizona State 39: The ACC champions received their ninth sport in shootout style behind 4 landing passes and 327 yards from Darian Mensah. His 17-yard strike to Que’Sean Brown with 2:10 left was the dagger for the Blue Devils, who had been not noted of the playoff in favor of James Madison regardless of successful the league title over Virginia in early December. Nate Sheppard rushed for 170 yards and a rating for Duke, which received regardless of permitting 619 yards of complete offense to the Solar Devils.
Pregame rating: No. 12
5. Pop-Tarts Bowl
BYU 25, Georgia Tech 21: The Cougars rallied from an 11-point deficit within the fourth quarter to win because of Jovesa Damuni’s 4-yard landing run with two minutes left that capped a 9-play, 70-yard drive. Georgia Tech veteran star Haynes King put his crew in place within the remaining seconds to win, however his fourth-down toss from BYU’s 18-yard line was intercepted to finish it. It marked BYU’s first 12-win season since 2001, whereas King eclipsed 10,000 yards of complete offense for his profession, becoming a member of Joe Hamilton as the one Yellow Jackets quarterbacks to take action.
Pregame rating: No. 9
4. New Mexico Bowl
North Texas 49, San Diego State 47: Nobody noticed this highest-scoring sport of bowl season coming from the Imply Inexperienced and Aztecs two days after Christmas. Drew Mestemaker completed 27-of-47 for 250 yards and three touchdowns to push North Texas to its school-record twelfth win earlier than transferring to Oklahoma State, the place he follows coach Eric Morris. Caleb Hawkins rushed for 197 yards and tallied three scores as North Texas constructed a 22-point lead after the third quarter earlier than San Diego State’s 27-point barrage within the fourth.
Pregame rating: No. 22
Hawaii 35, California 31: We’re in all probability overselling this one with private bias because the Christmas Eve appetizer, however simply earlier than Santa touched down within the states, Warriors backup quarterback Luke Weaver threw a 22-yard landing move to Nick Cenacle with 10 seconds left to win. Hawaii’s 21-point comeback was full after a 22-point fourth quarter.
Pregame rating: No. 25
2. Sugar Bowl
Ole Miss 39, Georgia 34: The Rebels’ second playoff win underneath new coach Pete Golding was an all-timer in Ole Miss lore because of Trinidad Chambliss, Kewan Lacy and the proper foot of Lucas Carneiro, who booted a pair of Sugar Bowl-record subject objectives. Chambliss was unbelievable down the stretch, holding drives alive together with his toes and a pair well-placed missiles past the Georgia secondary. Failed purple zone execution derailed the SEC champions, who misplaced for a second straight season in New Orleans.
Pregame rating: No. 6
1. Fiesta Bowl
Miami 31, Ole Miss 27: Controversial ending. ‘The U’ going again to South Seaside with a nationwide championship alternative for the primary time in two-plus a long time. Late-game heroics from each switch quarterbacks. The Fiesta Bowl delivered in epic style like we assumed it will between Miami and Ole Miss. Twenty-five complete factors had been scored within the remaining seven minutes of motion, capped by Carson Beck’s 3-yard landing run on a scramble with 18 seconds to play. Ole Miss performed in two of faculty soccer’s three greatest bowl video games this season. That is a lifetime for many fanbases.
Pregame rating: No. 1
