College football: Top 10 most important wins from bowl season
1. ROSE BOWL
FINAL SCORE: Ohio State 48, Utah 45
From a pure entertainment perspective, this was easily the best game of bowl season. We can definitively put the “Ohio State didn’t care” narrative to rest. The Buckeyes that did take the field following a rash of opt outs played their hearts out to win in a prestigious bowl. Jaxon Smith-Njigba shattered bowl game records with an outstanding performance. Young receivers like Marvin Harrison Jr. emerged as potential future stars. This game allowed Ohio State fans to turn an eye towards the future, one which is incredibly bright. If it can get the defense sorted — and new coordinator Jim Knowles absolutely should — then Ohio State should be in the national championship conversation next year.
4. PEACH BOWL
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 30: Drew Beesley #86 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts after a sack during the third quarter against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 30, 2021 in Atlanta,
FINAL SCORE: Michigan State 31, Pittsburgh 21
The Peach Bowl proved two things that are crucial for the future of Michigan State football: One, that the Spartans can win without Kenneth Walker and two, that this year was not a fluke. Mel Tucker is the real deal. This is Michigan State’s biggest postseason accomplishment since the Big Ten title in 2015. Sure, the Panthers were missing some pieces. So was Michigan State. With Payton Thorne back and
running back transfer Jalen Berger headed to East Lansing, it could be time to buy stock in this program.
Entire article:
https://247sports.com/college/ohio-...-wins-from-bowl-season-180477009/#180477009_7
Just sayin': Jalen Berger might not be Kenneth Walker 2.0:
Coming out of Don Bosco Preparatory High School in Ramsey, NJ, Berger was a four star running back and was ranked fifteenth nationally among running backs in the 2020 class by 247 Sports. Berger had offers to play at schools like Alabama, Florida, Michigan, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Ultimately, he committed to play football at the University of Wisconsin for head coach Paul Chryst.
There were flashes that Berger could become the lead-back as he finished with 60 carries for 301 yards and two touchdowns, which led the Badgers. Against the Michigan Wolverines, Berger finished the game as the Badgers lead rusher with 15 carries for 88 yards and one touchdown.
Fast-forward to now and Berger finished the 2021 season with only 88 yards and he’s headed for East Lansing, Mich. seeking a new opportunity. This year, freshman running back Braelon Allen became the Badgers’ biggest threat in the backfield as he rushed for 1,109 yards and averaged 7.1 yards per rush.
Entire article:
https://www.si.com/college/ucf/college-football-news/berger-michigan-state