By: William Smythe

The calm before the storm is upon us. The “meaningless” bowl games have essentially ended – save the boredom from the Orange Bowl and an exciting Gator Bowl yesterday – as we launch into the NY6 frenzy. We are all sick and tired of watching 6-6 teams duke it out against each other in San Diego County Credit Poinsettia Bowl-esque contests (I miss you, by the way). 

However, there’s plenty to take away from the long, Cheez-It laden path to the NY6 bowls. What will become of a Clemson team who faces some serious personnel challenges for next season? Is Wisconsin on the verge of building a revamped program under Luke Fickell? 

As a disclaimer, one of my takeaways from bowl season just has to be Steve Sarkisian’s rant against a staffer before the Alamo Bowl against Washington. Karma does work in wondrous ways, and Sark’s outburst couldn’t save the ‘Horns from a pitiful performance from their wide receiving corps (ahem, Xavier Worthy) and another mid season. Arch, you’re up.

Let’s get into bowl season as we head into the eye of the storm.

Clemson needs a boost from the transfer portal unlike ever before

Dabo builds his program in homage to NIL – if you know, you know. What that entails is a dependence on home-grown talent and class after class of five-star recruits. Don’t get me wrong, it’s paid off and then some following two national championships and consistent finishes in the top-10 in Swinney’s tenure.

Times – however – are changing, and Dabo may have to adapt to Lincoln Riley’s ruthless transfer portal mantra to compete among the nation’s best.

In the past three years – arguably since the transfer portal burst onto the scene – the Tigers have lost eight total games and have lost two out of their three bowl games. Much of the reason for this decline? Well, Trevor Lawrence’s absence, of course, and the lack of transfer portal players. 

Clemson’s transfer classes since 2020 have been ranked 285th, 244th, and 166th, respectively. Uncertainty about the future finally resides in the minds of Tiger nation, who have once again witnessed a bowl defeat after a 31-14 loss to Tennessee in the Orange Bowl last night.

Freshman quarterback Cade Klubnik – the heir apparent to Lawrence despite the weird D.J. Uiagalelei era – struggled mightily against the ‘Vols and left more questions on the table.

I’ll admit, Klubnik ran for his life behind an offensive line that couldn’t block squat. He did post a 48.4 QBR and threw two interceptions in his second career start – a less-than-promising ending to a season full of disappointment. Look, I believe in Klubnik’s potential, but you need to surround him with well-proven players in the portal. 

The defensive side of the ball will need to find replacements for defensive ends Myles Murphy and Bryan Bresee – first and second-team All-ACC honorees – while the offense has gaping holes in the offensive line and wide receiving corps.

Help your quarterback, Dabo! If not, the Tigers may fall behind as their old-fashioned style (three years too late) has met its match in the portal.

Texas Tech, Wisconsin on the cusp of building something special

Two teams with celebrated program histories have shown signs of life in bowl season. Texas Tech – a middle-dweller in a deep Big 12 – just took it to an Ole Miss squad that ascended to as high as no. 7 in the AP Poll, while Wisconsin squeaked out a 24-17 win over Oklahoma State to continue their long-held streak of winning seasons.

Since 2019, the Red Raiders have turned 4-8, 4-6, and 7-6 seasons into an 8-5 campaign in 2022. The progression would make even Matt Rhule proud, and a thumping win over a bonafide SEC program should give Lubbock reason for optimism going forward.

Even with the Air Raid out of the question, a well-balanced offensive attack and a defense that has improved since the infamous Baker Mayfield-Patrick Mahomes duel has marked a style change for Tech. 

The door is ajar with Texas struggling, TCU presumably a one-hit wonder and the reeling state of Oklahoma athletics – both Cowboys and Sooners. The Red Raiders may just surprise some people next season, with their steady improvements over the past few years suggesting 9-4 potential in 2023 – unreasonable to determine, yes, but definitely in the cards. 

Wisconsin had formerly found itself mired in mediocrity. Despite three consecutive seasons with bowl wins, the Badgers disappointed in 2022 following another abysmal campaign from junior quarterback Graham Mertz (recent pledge to the transfer portal) and the firing of eight-year coach Paul Chryst. Their reason for hope? Luke Fickell.

Fickell’s reputation precedes him in the college football realm. Having led his Cincinnati Bearcats to the CFP and a one-loss season in 2021-22, Fickell made the odd move by taking the Badger job and jumping ship to the Big Ten. His mark has already been made in Madison, however, with portal quarterbacks Nick Evers (OU) and Tanner Mordecai (SMU) committing to Wisconsin over the past few weeks.

Complementing whichever quarterback lands the starting job is junior tailback Braelon Allen – a two-time 1,000 yard rusher and 18-year old phenom. Oh, and you know the Badger defense will continue its dominance under Fickell – fifth in scoring defense in 2021-22 with 16.9 points allowed per game. One spot above them on that list? Wisconsin.

Arkansas-Kansas was a Liberty Bowl classic

Not once did I think the Jayhawks could compete against the Razorbacks down the stretch, and, in fact, they proved me wrong. The fourth quarter comeback by Jalon Daniels and company edged Arkansas bettors to the brink of insanity, with 25 points coming from Kansas in the third and fourth quarters to push the game into overtime. 

Arkansas – on the shoulders of another masterclass by junior quarterback K.J. Jefferson – eventually outlasted the Jayhawks (and covered the spread) in a 55-53 shootout. Kansas unfortunately squandered seven out of their last eight games in a season that had looked so promising, while the Razorbacks salvaged some dignity after an injury-riddled year. 

The takeaways from both teams? Their quarterbacks can ball and will be back with a vengeance. 

Kansas’ Jalon Daniels threw for a Liberty Bowl-record 544 yards and five touchdowns, while Jefferson tallied 417 total yards and four scores in a legendary duel. Jefferson has already pledged that he will return to Fayetteville, while Daniels will likely return after an injury plagued much of his 2022 campaign.

They’re both having fun, setting records and leading their teams to new heights after a 55-53 showdown in Memphis.