CFB 2015 Preview: Returning to the Bowl Eligiblity

Several teams missed bowl games in 2014 that will look to bounce back and return to the postseason in 2015. 

Temple
The Owls went 6-6 in 2014 but still missed a bowl game. With a lot of the team returning, expect the Owls to get to 7-8 or possibly even 9 wins in a weak conference. The AAC has 9 bowl affiliations in 2015 so Temple should go bowling for the first time since 2011 and only the 5th time in school history.

Virginia
They better go bowling, or Mike London is undoubtedly fired. The Cavs went 5-7 after a 3-9 campaign in 2013. London is on thin ice entering the year and needs to find stability and consistency from the quarterback position. Their OOC schedule includes UCLA, Boise State and BYU, so they will have no gimmes before entering ACC play.

Texas Tech
Since starting the 2013 season 7-0, Kliff Kingsbury's record is 5-13. The Red Raiders should have more depth and more experience and both sides of the football to win just enough games to return to bowl eligibility.

Northwestern
After an amazing run by the Wildcats, Northwestern has narrowly missed bowling two consecutive years.

California
The first two years of the Sonny Dykes era have not gone very well in Berkley but there is plenty of reason for optimism in year 3. Jared Goff is one of the top QBs in the country but RB Daniel Lasco might be the key to Cal's success on offense as Dykes will need a balanced attack.

Oregon State
The Beavers had a rare off year in 2014 but new coach Gary Anderson will look to help the Beavers return to a bowl game. They'll need to replace Sean Mannion at QB and have a young team but Anderson has had a lot of success and should build on the last decade plus that Mike Riley built in Corvalis.

Kentucky
Mark Stoops enters his third year in Lexington. The Wildcats started 5-1 in 2014 before ending the year on a 7 game losing streak. But expect Kentucky to get to 6 wins and return to the postseason in 2015.