The 2024 football year kicked off with three bowl games before the College Football Playoff games: the Fiesta Bowl, the Citrus Bowl, and the Reliaquest Bowl. The PAC-12 took on the only Group of Five team in the New Year’s Six in the Fiesta Bowl. Meanwhile, the SEC and Big Ten faced off for the fourth and fifth times this bowl season with the SEC continuing to dominate their meetings.
Fiesta Bowl: Oregon 45 | Liberty 6
There’s always controversy surrounding the Group of Five team that earns a New Year’s Six Bowl berth. Boise State, Houston, Central Florida, and Tulane have all found ways to win their bowl games. But many fans question the matchups between top level Power Five schools and the best team from the Group of Five. The 2024 Fiesta Bowl is unlikely to quiet any of those questions going forward.
PAC-12 runners up Oregon finished the year 11-2 with both losses to Washington. Meanwhile, Liberty made its way through the Conference-USA undefeated securing the New Year’s Six Berth. Oregon went out proved why they were in the College Football Playoff discussion right up until the final whistle of the PAC-12 Championship Game.
Former Auburn QB Bo Nix showed out as he led the Ducks to the Fiesta Bowl victory. Nix passed for 363 yards and five touchdowns. Bucky Irving also rushed for a touchdown as Oregon found the end zone six times on offense. Meanwhile, the Ducks defense kept Liberty out of the end zone most of the day, only giving up one touchdown. It was a strong finish to the season for Oregon as they make the jump to the Big Ten in 2024.
Citrus Bowl: Tennessee 35 | Iowa 0
Former Florida Gators Head Coach Steve Spurrier used to say, “you can’t spell Citrus without UT,” in reference to Tennessee. The Volunteers found themselves back in the Citrus Bowl taking on the Big Ten Western Division Champions, Iowa. The Hawkeyes’ defense has been praised most of the season, but their offense has been less than exemplary. But on New Year’s Day, Tennessee exploited holes in the Iowa defense most of their opponents couldn’t find.
Nico Iamaleava dominated Iowa’s defense with his legs. He rushed for three touchdowns while adding one with his arm. Tennessee’s defense also returned an interception for a touchdown as the Volunteers found the end zone five times. Meanwhile, Iowa’s offensive struggles continued as Tennessee kept them out of the end zone all day long in the 35-0 victory.
ReliaQuest Bowl: LSU 35 | Wisconsin 31
While the Fiesta and Citrus Bowls were blowouts, LSU and Wisconsin played a thriller in the ReliaQuest Bowl. The game looked like it was going to be a blowout early as the Badgers led 14-0 at the end of the first quarter. But the Tigers wouldn’t be denied as they came roaring back trading touchdowns with Wisconsin.
Tanner Mordecai and Garrett Nussmeier almost matched each other as they both passed for nearly 400 yards and three touchdowns. The difference was in the rushing game. Two LSU running backs found the end zone while only one Wisconsin running back managed to score. LSU scored five touchdowns while Wisconsin scored four touchdowns and a field goal. LSU wins a thriller 35-31.
Conference Bowl Records (Must Field 3 Teams Through Entire Bowl Season)
- Big 12 (5-3)
- SEC (5-3)
- American (3-2)
- PAC-12 (4-3)
- Big 10 (4-4)
- ACC (5-6)
- Mountain West (3-4)
- Sun Belt (5-7)
- C-USA (2-3)
- MAC (2-4)
College Football Playoffs
There are only three more games left in the season, the CFP Semifinals and the CFP Final. Alabama and Michigan square off in the Rose Bowl. Then, Texas and Washington face each other in the Sugar Bowl. The two winners will meet in the CFP National Championship Game on January 8th.
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