While the WSU football team fell short of a bowl game in 2023 after finishing the regular season with a record of 5-7, the 2023 college football bowl games have been very interesting. From a bowl game sponsored by mayonnaise to a backup QB breaking several records, there has been no shortage of college football content to end the season.

DirecTV Holiday Bowl – USC vs Louisville 

With the projected top pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and USC quarterback Caleb Williams opting out of the Trojans’ bowl game, backup Miller Moss stepped in to lead the team in their final game of the 2023 season. After a month of reps with the starter, he was ready to prove his worth as a starting QB.

In the first start of his collegiate career, he broke the bowl game record for the Holiday Bowl, USC bowl game record and the Pac-12 bowl game record for passing touchdowns. 

Against the Cardinals, he finished 23-of-33 passing for 372 yards and six passing TDs. In the first half alone, he had 218 passing yards and four passing TDs and the Trojans cruised to a 42-28 victory over the ranked Louisville squad.

Rightfully winning the game’s MVP, Moss is expected to win the starting job for the Trojans for the 2024 season and if he can replicate his performance against Louisville over a full season, he might become the second USC QB to win the Heisman in three years. 

Guaranteed Rate Bowl – Kansas vs UNLV 

Traditionally a basketball school, Kansas had not won a bowl game since the 2008 season. With a decade a half separating their most recent postseason victory, the Jayhawks entered their bowl game with a lot to prove about their 2023 season. 

Despite losing the turnover battle and committing 18 total turnovers for over 200 yards, Kansas fought off UNLV with a strong offensive attack and two separate 21-point quarters to win the Guaranteed Rate Bowl 49-36.

Putting up 591 total yards of offense, the Jayhawks averaged 8.8 yards per play on offense and had possession of the ball for nearly 10 full minutes longer than UNLV. Kansas QB Jason Bean had 449 passing yards and six TDs and two separate wide receivers had over 100 receiving yards. 

Luke Grimm was the big play receiver, as with four receptions, he had 160 yards and three receiving TDs. Lawrence Arnold was the other receiver to finish with triple-digit yards as he finished with six receptions, 132 yards and three TDs of his own. 

Duke’s Mayo Bowl – West Virginia vs North Carolina

In one of the more interesting themes for a bowl game, West Virginia took down North Carolina 30-10 in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. As is the problem with most non-playoff bowl games, the Tar Heels were without their top QB draft prospect, Drake Maye, as he opted out to avoid potential injury.

He missed out, though, as with their win, West Virginia got the golden opportunity to give their head coach a mayo shower.

Both teams were statistically evenly matched but behind a punt return for a TD, two interceptions and one fumble recovery, the Mountaineers dominated for a 20-point victory. 

SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl – Northwestern vs Utah 

Taking over a team that went 1-11 in the 2022 season, Northwestern head coach David Braun had an expected long rebuild ahead of him. However, he did not see it that way. After a successful 7-5 regular season, he had the Wildcats in a bowl game.

However, their opponent was a Utah team that had very high preseason expectations after winning the 2022 Pac-12 Championship. Still, Braun had his team ready, beating the Utes 14-7, and finished the season with an 8-5 record.

Led by QB Ben Bryant’s 222-yard, two-TD performance, Northwestern won their bowl game 14-7 and held Utah’s offense to just 211 total yards of offense.