The 2025 bowl season has been nothing short of a wild ride. From coast to coast-and even out to Hawaii-teams have wrapped up their seasons with everything from dramatic comebacks to celebratory French fry baths. With 23 non-CFP games in the books, we’ve seen a little bit of everything: redemption arcs, power conference struggles, and some under-the-radar dominance that could have long-term implications.
Let’s break down three of the biggest takeaways from bowl season so far-and what they might mean heading into 2026.
1. Penn State and Clemson: A heavyweight showdown with different stakes
If you’d looked at the preseason rankings, you might’ve circled Penn State vs. Clemson as a potential top-5 clash in the College Football Playoff. Instead, the two bluebloods met in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium-both trying to salvage seasons that spiraled early.
Penn State started the year ranked No. 2 with national title buzz. But after a 3-0 start, things unraveled fast.
The Nittany Lions dropped six of their next seven, parted ways with head coach James Franklin midseason, and were left scrambling just to reach bowl eligibility. They did, finishing 6-6 and earning a trip to the Bronx.
Clemson’s path wasn’t much smoother. The Tigers came in ranked No. 4 but stumbled out of the gate with a 1-3 start, including a stunning home loss to Syracuse.
“Death Valley” wasn’t quite the fortress it used to be-Clemson lost four times at home-and at one point sat at 3-5. But a late-season surge got them to 7-5 and into the Pinstripe Bowl.
The game itself was gritty, physical, and fitting for a cold-weather showdown in a baseball stadium. Penn State closed strong, scoring two touchdowns and a field goal in the fourth quarter to pull away for a 22-10 win. Both teams finish 7-6-far from the expectations they carried in August-but considering where they were midseason, it’s a respectable landing spot.
For Penn State, the win offers a spark of momentum under interim leadership. For Clemson, it’s a reminder that the program’s margin for error is thinner than it used to be.
2. SEC stumbles as Houston and Virginia take down LSU and Missouri
The SEC’s bowl season hasn’t exactly gone to script. Two more losses-one from a traditional power, one from a rising contender-dropped the league to 2-4 in bowl play so far.
Let’s start with LSU. The Tigers came into the year with College Football Playoff dreams, but those dreams quickly turned into damage control. After falling out of contention and moving on from Brian Kelly, LSU limped into the Texas Bowl at 7-5, facing a tough Houston team that had quietly put together a strong season in the Big 12.
The game was a back-and-forth battle through three quarters, tied at 28 heading into the final frame. But Houston took over late, closing the door on the Tigers and finishing their season with a 10th win. That’s a big milestone for a program looking to make noise in its new conference home.
Missouri, meanwhile, drew a red-hot Virginia squad in the Gator Bowl. The Cavaliers had nearly played their way into the CFP, falling just short in the ACC title game, and they came into the bowl with something to prove.
They did just that-especially on defense. After Missouri scored in the opening five minutes, the Tigers were completely shut down.
Virginia’s defense clamped down, and the Cavaliers ground out a 13-7 win.
The SEC’s 2-4 bowl record doesn’t tell the full story-some of the league’s biggest names are still waiting to play-but it does raise eyebrows. This is a conference that’s long prided itself on depth and postseason success. Right now, it’s the Big Ten that’s flexing.
3. Big Ten off to a perfect 5-0 start in bowl season
Speaking of the Big Ten-what a start. The conference has come out of the gates on fire, going 5-0 in bowl games and CFP matchups so far. And here’s the kicker: two of its biggest contenders, Indiana and Ohio State, haven’t even played yet.
Oregon got things rolling with a playoff win over James Madison, and the momentum hasn’t slowed. Minnesota, Northwestern, Washington, and Penn State all added bowl wins to the tally, giving the conference a clean sheet through the early slate.
It’s not just about the wins-it’s how they’re happening. These teams are showing up with physicality, discipline, and a clear sense of purpose. Whether it’s Oregon asserting itself as a playoff force, or Northwestern and Minnesota grinding out wins in lower-profile bowls, the Big Ten is sending a message: top to bottom, this league came to play.
And there’s still more to come. Nebraska, Michigan, Iowa, USC, and Illinois are all set to take the field in the coming days. If the early results are any indication, the Big Ten could be on its way to one of the most dominant bowl seasons we’ve seen from any conference in recent memory.
What’s Next?
With the New Year’s Six and the rest of the CFP still ahead, the bowl season is far from over. But the early returns have already given us plenty to chew on.
Penn State and Clemson reminded us that pride still matters, even when the stakes are lower. The SEC’s early struggles show that reputation alone doesn’t win games.
And the Big Ten? They’ve come out swinging-and they’re not done yet.
Bowl season always brings surprises, but this year’s chaos feels particularly meaningful. The postseason has become a proving ground-not just for teams, but for conferences, coaches, and programs looking to build or rebuild their identities heading into 2026. And if the last two weeks are any indication, we’re in for a heck of a finish.