This year's slate of Bowl games covered quite a spectrum. Some wowed us, some made us yawn. See if you agree as CFN ranks the 2011-12 NCAA Bowl games.

Let's start with the duds ...

Oklahoma State 41, Stanford 38 OT

There were many shootouts played throughout the bowl season, but none were played at a higher level. Andrew Luck closed out his college career with a brilliant 27-of-31, 347-yard performance, but kicker Jordan Williamson missed a 35-yard game-winning attempt at the end of regulation and a 43-yarder in overtime. Oklahoma State's Quinn Sharp connected on a 22-yard field goal – after head coach Mike Gundy chose to go for the field goal even after having the ball with first-and-goal on the one – and came up with the improbable win. As good as Luck was, Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon was equally terrific with eight catches for 186 yards and three scores. … CLASSIC

View CFN's complete 2011-12 Bowl rankings

Louisiana-Lafayette 32, San Diego State 30

San Diego State's Ryan Lindley came up with a 12-yard touchdown pass with 35 seconds to play, but the two-point conversion didn't click. Down one, Louisiana-Lafayette bombed away to get in a position to win the game on a field goal, but kicker Brett Baer missed an extra point and got another kick blocked earlier in the game. Given his shot to win it, he blasted a 50-yard bomb that cleared through for the improbable win. The two teams flew up and down the field all game long with ULL finishing with 568 yards – including Blaine Gautier's 470 passing yards and three scores. Lindley threw for 413 yards and three touchdowns. … CLASSIC

Oregon 45, Wisconsin 38

It was every bit the classic shootout offense lovers were hoping for. Could Wisconsin stop Oregon's running game? The answer was a resounding no, with the Ducks tearing off 345 yards and averaging 8.6 yards per carry. But Oregon couldn't shut down a Badger offense that came up with 508 yards and moved the ball at will. Two turnovers, including a magical fumble from WR Jared Abbrederis that sat on the turf just inches away from the sideline. Even with the mistakes, UW's Russell Wilson got the offense cranked up in the final seconds, only to miss out on one final shot in the end zone after time ran out a fraction of a second before he was able to spike the ball to stop the clock. … CLASSIC

Baylor 67, Washington 56

In many ways this was the game of the bowl season. Neither team could make a tackle, but who cares? Washington ripped off 620 yards of total offense with 26 first downs, committed just one penalty, and rolled up 56 points, and lost. Husky quarterback Keith Price outplayed Heisman winner Robert Griffin, throwing for 438 yards and four scores and running for three touchdowns, Baylor finished with 777 yards and 482 rushing yards. Three Bears ran for 101 yards or more with Terrence Ganaway tearing off five touchdown runs including four in the final 21 minutes. … CLASSIC

Michigan State 33, Georgia 30 3OT

Michigan State made a really, really big deal all offseason about its awful performance against Alabama in last year's bowl appearance, and it was as fired up for this game as any team in a non-BCS bowl. However, Georgia managed to jump out to a 16-0 halftime lead and appeared to be in control. MSU quarterback Kirk Cousins started firing back, finishing with 300 yards, and LeVeon Bell ran for two scores with his second coming from one-yard out with 14 seconds remaining to force overtime. Georgia played for the field goal, and the strategy backfired with Blair Walsh missing the game-winning attempt in the first overtime. The two teams traded field goals in the second, and MSU's Dan Conroy hit a 28-yarder the third. Butler's 47-yard game-tying attempt was blocked, and MSU had the win. … EXCELLENT

Michigan 23, Virginia Tech 20 OT

There might have been better, more deserving options for the catch-all BCS game, but the matchup worked. Michigan's offense, however, didn't, being held to just 184 yards with Denard Robinson struggling to get free and unable to come up with any big plays downfield. Two Virginia Tech turnovers and a 17-6 third quarter lead allowed the Wolverines to hang on as the Hokies went on a fourth quarter run. The drive stalled, but Justin Myer – the team's third-string kicker – hit the 25-yard field goal attempt to force overtime. And then came the controversy. Virginia Tech's Danny Coale made a terrific diving catch in overtime, but after a review it was ruled incomplete. Myer missed the field goal attempt, Michigan's Brendan Gibbons nailed the 37-yard try, and Michigan had its 11-win season. … EXCELLENT

Ohio 24, Utah State 23

The Aggie offense was rolling with Michael Smith tearing off third quarter touchdown runs from 63 and 11 yards out on the way to a 23-10 lead. And then the Ohio offense took over with LaVon Brazill coming up with a 44-yard touchdown grab. The two defenses held through the fourth quarter, but Utah State couldn't stop Tyler Tettleton, who marched the Bobcats 81 yards in the final two minutes, finishing up with a one-yard touchdown dash with 13 seconds to play. Matt Weller hit the extra point and Ohio finally had its first lead of the game. … EXCELLENT

Utah 30, Georgia Tech 27 OT

The Yellow Jackets ran for 311 yards and got an 11-of-15 passing day from Tevin Washington, but the near-perfect offensive performance wasn't enough. It should've worked out for Georgia Tech, up 24-10 late in the fourth quarter with the running game supposedly able to close things out. Ute quarterback Jon Hays struggled all game long, but he managed to lead the team to two late touchdown drives with his 28-yard scoring pass to DeVonte Christopher forcing overtime. Georgia Tech came up with a field goal on its possession, but John White ran for an eight-yard score to give the Utes the win. … EXCELLENT

Toledo 42, Air Force 41

Air Force could've taken the game to overtime after getting a 33-yard touchdown catch from Zack Kauth in the final minute, but a failed option play on a fake extra point attempt gave the Rockets the win in a wild and fun back-and-forth shootout. Each team had no problems moving up and down the field, but it was an 87-yard kickoff return from Eric Page and a pick-six from Jermaine Robinson that helped Toledo keep up the pace after blowing a 21-7 first quarter lead. … ABOVE-AVERAGE

Purdue 37, Western Michigan 32

For a minor bowl game between two also-ran teams, it had a lot of fun, exciting, and strange twists and turns. There were 11 turnovers, with Western Michigan responsible for seven of them, and Purdue committed nine penalties, but it was a wild shootout with both teams throwing haymakers. The Broncos represented the MAC well, helped by 265 receiving yards from Jordan White, but the defense couldn't stop the Purdue running game. Akeem Shavers ripped off 149 of the Boilermakers' 265 rushing yards to overcome the 439 passing yards from WMU's Alex Carder. … ABOVE-AVERAGE

BYU 24, Tulsa 21

Riley Nelson's fake spike and two-yard touchdown pass to Cody Hoffman with 11 seconds to play gave BYU a thrilling win. It was a back-and-forth battle throughout, and while Tulsa didn't get its normal big plays, it only committed one penalty and it got three G.J. Kinne touchdown passes on the way to a late lead. Hoffman finished with three touchdown catches with a 17-yarder with 12 seconds left to play in the first half and a 30-yarder late in the third quarter. … ABOVE-AVERAGE

TCU 31, Louisiana Tech 24

Other than TCU hanging on to the ball for well over 36 minutes, it was a dead-even game. TCU was in for far more of a dogfight than it probably expected. Neither team held more than a one-score lead, and Louisiana Tech seemed to take control late in the third quarter on a 67-yard Myles White touchdown catch. That would be it for the Bulldogs, as TCU closed it out with 14 unanswered points capped by a 42-yard Skye Dawson touchdown catch. … GOOD

Florida State 18, Notre Dame 14

Can Florida State find an offense and a running game in spring ball? The minor bowl got people talking with the game being used as a measuring stick for two programs expected to be bigger national players. It might not have been a good game, but it was great theater; Notre Dame always is. After getting down 14-0, Florida State scored 18 unanswered points with E.J. Manuel throwing two touchdown passes and Dustin Hopkins all but icing it with his second field goal. The Irish defense was solid, but it couldn't overcome three turnovers from the offense – a fitting way to end a mistake-prone season – and now there are more questions. Who'll be the Notre Dame starting quarterback next year? The game created a buzz. … GOOD

NC State 31, Louisville 24

Considering the low expectations for a game between two midlevel BCS teams, the game was good. NC State came up with one of its better games over the first three quarters with Mike Glennon throwing for long second quarter touchdown passes – including a 68-yard scoring play to T.J. Graham – with pick-off artist David Amerson taking one of Teddy Bridgewater's three interceptions for a pick six. But even with all the mistakes from the Louisville offense, there were still chances to pull out the win, scoring 14 unanswered points before the Wolfpack D put the clamps down. … GOOD

Mississippi State 23, Wake Forest 17

It might have been a disappointing season for Mississippi State, but touchdown runs from 60 and 72 yards out by Vick Ballard were enough to overcome the team's four turnovers. It wasn't always a tight game – Wake Forest only converted 2 of 14 third down chances – but it was a battle throughout with the Demon Deacons taking advantage of their opportunities and hanging on to the ball for close to 40 minutes. This turned out to be a nice win for the SEC's midlevel, but it did more to help MSU head coach Dan Mullen going into the offeseason. … GOOD

Cincinnati 31, Vanderbilt 24

The Bearcats hit the ten-win mark, but it didn't go quite like they planned. The return of quarterback Zach Collaros from injury was supposed to provide a spark, but he was awful, completing just 12 of 29 passes for 80 yards and a score with two picks. Fortunately for UC, Isaiah Pead was unstoppable and the defense held firm late. Vandy turned the ball over three times and gave up a fourth-quarter kickoff return for a score in a dead-even battle. … GOOD

Illinois 20, UCLA 14

It was the bowl game that gave bowl games a bad name, but it actually turned out to be OK. It took a little while, but the last 16 minutes were great, with Terry Hawthorne giving Illinois the lead with a pick-six and A.J. Jenkins finally, and cathartically, giving the offense a big play with a 60-yard touchdown catch. Both teams were going through coaching turmoil – with Illini assistants threatening to walk out after not liking the severance deal – but both teams plays surprisingly hard in a competitive game. … GOOD

Arkansas 29, Kansas State 16

It was supposed to be a bad matchup for the Wildcats, and it turned out to be exactly that. It seemed like an extra BCS game with the night of Jan. 6 all to itself and playing in Jerry Jones' palace in Arlington, but it quickly became all about the Arkansas defense. The Hogs got up 19-0 in the first half, but the Wildcats roared back after returning a blocked extra point for a two-point conversion. However, Kansas State had one offensive option, and quarterback Collin Klein was taken out of the game when he couldn't keep the momentum going. … GOOD

Texas A&M 33, Northwestern 22

Northwestern showed up with a big stuffed gorilla – representing the bowl monkey on the team's back – but the team played like a dog in falling behind 30-7. The Wildcats started to mount a big comeback, and there was some thought that it might be yet another Texas A&M fourth quarter choke, but a 32-yard Randy Bullock field goal in the final minute finally ended the drama. Texas A&M didn't exactly start playing like it was supposed to, but it helped ease the major disappointment of the Texas loss. … GOOD

West Virginia 70, Clemson 33

It might have been a train wreck, and it might have been the least-watched BCS game ever, but it was hard to look away from. How many points would West Virginia put up after hanging 49 on the board in the first half? Could it hit 80? 90? Down 21-17 early in the second, Clemson looked like it was going in for a score, but Darwin Cook took a fumble 99 yards for a touchdown and the rout was on. The Mountaineers converted 10-of-16 third down chances and never let up. … GOOD

Southern Miss 24, Nevada 17

It was an entertaining game; it just wasn't very well played. A blocked punt set the tone for an Eagle team that struggled offensively until late, and wasn't its normal high-powered self. Meanwhile, the vaunted Nevada running game rolled on two Lampford Mark scoring runs in the first half, but that was about it. The two teams were tied at 17 late in the fourth quarter before USM's Austin Davis connected with Kevin Bolden for a four-yard game-winning score. The two teams combined to convert just 7-of-37 third down chances and completed just 31-of-70 passes. … MEDIOCRE

Oklahoma 31, Iowa 14

The game was over once Iowa star running back Marcus Coker was suspended. The thought was that if Oklahoma showed up and decided to play, it wasn't going to be pretty. Oklahoma showed up and decided to play. The Sooner offense couldn't find any explosion and finished with just 275 yards, but the D stuffed the Hawkeyes and didn't allow any points until the fourth. OU got up 21-0 helped by two Blake Bell touchdown runs, but Iowa kept fighting and made it 21-14 late. Bell put it away on a 21-yard dash. … MEDIOCRE

Florida 24, Ohio State 17

It wasn't exactly a game worthy of the big-name programs, but it was a fight and provided a glimpse into the future for both teams. The Florida offense was supposed to work again with most of the stars healthy, but offensive coordinator Charlie Weis was off to become the head coach at Kansas. The Gator attack was mediocre, gaining just 263 yards, but the defense and special teams were terrific with a blocked punt for a score and a kickoff return for a touchdown. … MEDIOCRE
 

Texas 21, California 10

After a disappointing year, it was a game Texas needed to have. Both defenses dominated in an ugly game marred by five Cal turnovers, but it was still close late. The Bears might have only run for seven yards, but the Texas attack was just as inept, with a mere 255 yards of total offense and needing takeaways on defense to set up scores. However, Marquise Goodwin came up with a 47-yard touchdown pass in the third to put the Longhorns ahead for good. … MEDIOCRE

South Carolina 30, Nebraska 13

The final score was worse than the game – at least for the first half. South Carolina was an awful matchup for a Husker team that didn't have too many offensive weapons, but it was13-9 Nebraska in the first quarter helped by a 30-yard Kenny Bell catch. But on the final play of the first half, USC's Alshon Jeffery caught a 51-yard Hail Mary for a score, and Nebraska never recovered. The two teams combined for 16 penalties with the Husker attack going nowhere in the second half. … MEDIOCRE

Northern Illinois 38, Arkansas State 20

It should've been better. The two teams were the champions of their respective conferences with each dominating on their way to titles, but instead of this being a huge moment for the non-BCS leagues to shine, it only showed just how deep the divide is between the haves and have-nots. Played on a day of NFL playoff games – including the Denver win over Pittsburgh – this wasn't just an afterthought, this was no thought. ASU tried to make it interesting with a late rally, but the NIU defense put it way on the Dechane Durante pick six. … MEDIOCRE

Rutgers 27, Iowa State 13

It wasn't well played, but it had its moments. Iowa State kept on fighting and it had a few chances to come back late, but the Rutgers offense got the big play it needed on a Brandon Coleman 86-yard touchdown catch to put it away. Any fun Rutgers might have had was ruined by the loss of Big East Defensive Player of the Year Khaseem Greene late in the game to a broken leg. On the plus side, though, was the emotion after the game when the Scarlet Knights and head coach Greg Schiano honored Eric LeGrand. … MEDIOCRE

Auburn 43, Virginia 24

The storylines were on everything but the game with star running back Michel Dyer getting suspended, and offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn on the way out for the Arkansas State head coaching job. Even with the distractions, the Tigers and Onterio McCalebb ran wild on the Cavaliers. Virginia stayed around, but couldn't take advantage of opportunities and the Tigers pulled away late. The Cavs played well, but the Tigers were better. … MEDIOCRE

Marshall 20, Florida International 10

Neither team got much going offensively, but it was a tight battle going into the fourth quarter. FIU got up 10-3 in the first half, but the attack failed time and again to keep the chains moving with a mediocre day from the passing game and little from the ground game. Up 13-10 late, the Herd finally put it away with 35-yard touchdown from Aaron Dobson in the final seconds. … MEDIOCRE

Alabama 21, LSU 0

Yes, it was an epic defensive performance from Alabama, but LSU's offense did its part with a miserable game. It wasn't the LSU that was so confident and so impressive all season long, but the Tide had something to do with that. The Tigers passed midfield once, Alabama attempted seven field goals, and the utter defensive dominance from the Tide – allowing just 92 yards of LSU offense - made the nightmare come true: an awful rematch. ... DUD

Missouri 41, North Carolina 24

North Carolina's coaching changes killed the game. The Tar Heels scored early, but they soon got their doors blown off as Mizzou scored 31 straight points and went on cruise control from there. UNC kept fighting, with Bryn Renner finishing with 317 passing yards, but the Tiger offense was unstoppable cranking out 513 yards and getting the yards and plays it needed just when the game had the potential to get close. ... DUD

Boise State 56, Arizona State 24

Boise State decided to show up for its minor bowl game. Arizona State was going to play hard for Dennis Erickson in his final game, but Bronco running back Doug Martin took the opening kickoff for a score and it only got worse from there. Boise State's run defense was dominant, Arizona State didn't have any defensive answers for Kellen Moore and the balanced Bronco attack, and it quickly turned into one of the uglier games of the bowl season. ... DUD
 

Houston 30, Penn State 14

Because the season wasn't bad enough for Penn State, it took an even stranger turn when starting quarterback Matt McGloin was beaten up in a locker room fight in bowl preparations. Add that to the controversy that blew up the program, and Penn State probably should've declined the invite and quietly ended the year after getting rocked by Wisconsin. While they showed up physically, they weren't close to being interested, with Case Keenum torching them for 532 yards in a lifeless blowout. ... DUD

Temple 37, Wyoming 15

The bowl season kicked off with a dud. Wyoming was outclassed from the start with little offense to counter the efficient and effective Temple attack. Every time it seemed like there was some ray of hope of making the game interesting, quarterback Brett Smith threw an interception. There were a few interesting moments, like Temple's Chris Coyer connecting on a backbreaking 61-yard touchdown pass to Rod Streater, but that came in the final seconds of the first half to all but end the game with a 28-7 Owl lead. ... DUD

SMU 28, Pitt 6
 

Talk about being lost in the shuffle, the bowl was played on the same Saturday that the NFL playoffs started and had the feel of a glorified high school game. With head coach Todd Graham leaving for Arizona State, the rudderless Panthers didn't do anything on the ground and didn't get any production out of either side of the line. SMU, however, showed that it's ready to go off to the Big East and be more than just competitive. ... DUD