By Mark Pszonak
If you’re bowl eligible in the first week of November, then it has generally been a good season. And for some this is expected, but for others it has come as a complete surprise. Here is a list of the schools that have pleasantly surprised to already be bowl eligible:
Indiana (9-0)
Indiana has only played in five bowls since 1993 so anytime the Hoosiers gain eligibility it is worthy of celebration. But this year is even bigger, with an undefeated record, #8 ranking and visions of playoffs dancing in their head, Indiana is the biggest surprise in the country this season.
BYU (8-0)
BYU is no stranger to bowl games, but coming off a 5-7 season, cruising to one in 2024 didn’t seem likely. Instead, the Cougars are undefeated and if it wasn’t for Indiana, they would be the biggest surprise in the country.
Vanderbilt (6-3)
Vanderbilt has not won more than six games since 2014, James Franklin’s last season in Nashville. While the Commodores are still one win away from achieving that mark, the fact they reached that point with three games to go makes this season memorable.
Syracuse (6-2)
The consistent parade of bowl trips for the Orange in the 1980’s and 1990’s is long gone. Since then, there has been some success, but it has been sporadic. The arrival of a new head coach, Fran Brown, brought some excitement, but not many expected to be planning a bowl trip in early November.
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Arizona State (6-2)
Picked to finish 16th out of 16 teams in the Big 12 preseason poll, qualifying for a bowl at any point this season was thought to be extremely unlikely for Arizona State. Fortunately for them they thought differently and earned a berth after cruising to a win at Oklahoma State on Saturday.
Texas Tech (6-3)
The Red Raiders have been to three straight bowl games, so it isn’t surprising that they are going to another one, but to earn eligibility in early November while beating previously undefeated Iowa State was a cherry on top of the sundae.
Illinois (6-3)
After a surprising 2022 season which ended at 8-5, 2023 was a complete disappointment. There was uncertainty coming into 2024, but now the Illini sit at 6-3 and have been one of the Big Ten’s biggest surprises, even after a tough loss to Minnesota last Saturday.
