17. Oregon State (10-3) — A big year for the Beavers culminated in a 30-3 blowout of Florida in the Las Vegas Bowl. Oregon State beats Florida, 30-3, with the Gators held to just 219 total yards of offense. Oregon State celebrates its first 10-win season since 2006.
“If you were to look back five years ago and say, ‘Hey, you guys are going to have a 10-win season, win the Las Vegas bowl and beat an SEC team,’ there’ll be a lot of people laughing at us,” Oregon State linebacker Jack Colletto said. “But yet we ultimately were able to execute and do it. So five years from now, who knows where we can be?”
18. Notre Dame (9-4) — The Fighting Irish got five touchdowns from Tyler Buchner in a 45-38 victory over South Carolina in the Gator Bowl. The Irish finished 2022 with six wins in their last seven games, including top-25 victories over Syracuse, Clemson and the Gamecocks.
19. Troy (12-2) — In a clash of top-25 teams, Troy of the Sun Belt beat UTSA of Conference USA, 18-12, in the Cure Bowl. Both teams fell just short of a New Year’s Six opportunity, but the Trojans head into 2023 with the momentum of a 12-win season.
20. Mississippi State (9-4) — The mourning Mississippi State Bulldogs came through with a special victory against Illinois in bowl season. The first game since the passing of Mike Leach, Mississippi State won with a 27-yard field goal followed by a wacky 60-yard return score. It is the first victory for Zach Arnett as full-time head coach, 19-10 over the Illini.