Paul Myerberg of USA TODAY Sports used the internet to determine which college football players from the previous two weeks were the biggest winners, since bowl season was quickly approaching.
Naturally, Michigan and Washington, the two playoff victors, were first on the list. The Huskies were led by quarterback Michael Penix Jr. to victory, while the Wolverines overcame their disappointment in the previous two seasons to secure their first-ever postseason triumph.
But Myerberg mentioned three SEC clubs that aren’t in the final four. Nico Iamaleava, a young quarterback with promise, showed hints of his abilities against Iowa’s powerful defense, amassing 178 yards of offense and four touchdowns. Meanwhile, Missouri’s victory over Ohio State cemented the Tigers’ position in college football history.
Ole Miss ended the first 11-win season in program history and gave itself some excellent momentum heading into 2024. According to Myerberg, the Rebels will only get stronger since quarterback Jaxson Dart’s 2024 return and the nation’s top transfer portal class will position Lane Kiffin’s squad well for the 12-team playoff.
The writer for USA TODAY Sports concluded his piece by mentioning two more notable winners: Northwestern, who defeated Utah in the Las Vegas Bowl, and Kansas, who prevailed over UNLV in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl. You may find his losers list and his whole analysis here.