Ohio St lost to a 6 loss Florida and went undefeated the next season
Alabama lost to Utah and Oklahoma in Sugar Bowl and went on to win a NC and play in 4 team playoff following seasons
Florida lost to LLLLloyd the Loser his final game giving up 41 and turned in one of the most dominant seasons the following season
Oklahoma lost by 5 TD's vs Clemson it's bowl and came back and went to playoffs
Point i'm making is plenty of great teams lost games that didn't mean much to them before busting out the following year don't put too much stock into those type of bowl losses. You don't see anyone clamoring for Wisconsin to be ranked ahead of USC due to beating them in the Holiday Bowl.