For example, Alabama was hammered by Oklahoma in the 2014 Sugar Bowl. This season the Tide is No. 1 headed into the College Football Playoff, while the Sooners had a disappointing year.
The benefits of a bowl win are often affected by the circumstances. Sometimes a team needs something positive to happen.
Ole Miss desperately needed a Music City Bowl win last season to rid itself of the horrible taste in its mouth after losing to Mississippi State, and the good feelings from the win carried the Rebels into spring with their chins up.
A Compass Bowl win two years ago gave Ole Miss a winning season and very well could have played a role in swaying one of those 5-star recruits on signing day.
But Ole Miss isn't in desperate need of a win this year.
This team already has plenty in which to be proud. Wins over Alabama and Mississippi State and a 9-3 record including victories over a multitude of bowl teams make this a great season. While a win over No. 6 TCU would certainly carry some momentum into National Signing Day and add fuel to the hype that will surround the Rebels in the 2015 preseason, it's not critical. With so many players returning off the two-deep roster Ole Miss will be a popular Top 10 pick no matter what happens in the bowl game, but a convincing win over TCU might generate enough attention to move the Rebels into the Top 5.
A win would also generate fun discussion about what might have been, and perhaps make some to wonder if Ole Miss was the best team not in the Playoff.
If there's any motivation this year, it's that this Peach Bowl is one last chance to prove the Rebels belonged at the top.
In any event, this Peach Bowl between these two Top 10 teams will be must-see TV on New Year's Eve.
This is gonna be fun.