Some Changes In Our Top Four
This past weekend featured several games involving Top 25 teams. As a result of a huge upset, we now have a new team in our playoff. In addition, the New Year’s Six is shaken up as well. Who is in the playoff and who is in the New Year’s Six games? Let’s run down all the contests with our Bowl Projections Following Week Seven.
College Football Playoff
Peach Bowl- December 28th- (1) Alabama versus (4) Ohio State- Georgia’s loss is certainly the Buckeyes’ gain. After their shocking overtime loss to South Carolina, the Bulldogs are out and Justin Fields and company claim that fourth spot.
Fiesta Bowl- December 28th- (2)- Clemson versus (3) Oklahoma- This game remains unchanged and sign us up right now for a battle between Jalen Hurts and Trevor Lawrence. The Sooners’ win over Texas only enhanced their playoff claim.
As we head to the next set of games, there is still some question who makes it from the ACC or Big 12. The correct call might be who wants to be in. Anyway, with Georgia’s loss, there are a few changes here.
New Year’s Six Games
Cotton Bowl- December 28th- Boise State versus Notre Dame- The game remains unchanged from our previous projections. The Broncos get in as the highest-ranked Group of Five squad. The Irish got a win over USC on Saturday and heads to the Cotton Bowl for a second straight year.
Orange Bowl- December 30th- Virginia versus Georgia- Wake Forest was penciled into this spot until they lost to Louisville. North Carolina also gets some consideration here but for now, we are going back with the Cavaliers. The Bulldogs drop here for now but the game against Florida determines who ends up here and who plays in the Citrus Bowl.
Rose Bowl- January 1st- Wisconsin versus Oregon- With Ohio State moving up to the playoff the Badgers take the Big 10’s traditional spot in Pasadena. The Ducks continue to be the class of the Pac-12.
Sugar Bowl- January 1st- LSU versus Baylor- This is where it gets interesting. A two-loss Texas club drops out of the New Year’s Six. However, they could end up back here by season’s end. Baylor escaped with a double-overtime win against Texas Tech to remain undefeated. On the other side of the ball, the Tigers win over Florida only strengthens their case for the playoff as we wait on the November 9th game with Alabama.
As we continue our bowl projections following week seven, let’s check out the remaining game on January 1st and December 31st. Again, the team to watch is Missouri who is still waiting on their appeal of a bowl ban.
New Year’s Eve And Other New Year’s Day Games
Citrus Bowl- January 1st- Florida versus Penn State- As mentioned earlier, the loser of the Georgia-Florida game probably ends up here. The Nittany Lions head to Orlando for a second straight year.
Outback Bowl- January 1st- Auburn versus Minnesota- The undefeated Golden Gophers are one of the great stores in college football this year.
Alamo Bowl- December 31st- Texas versus Utah- With two losses, the Longhorns drop down to the game in San Antonio. A match-up against the likely Pac-12 runner-up makes for a heck of a game.
Arizona Bowl- December 31st- Utah State versus Louisiana-Monroe- A solid match-up of two quality teams who usually get no publicity.
Belk Bowl- December 31st- Wake Forest versus Mississippi State- As mentioned earlier, the Demon Deacons had a chance for the Orange Bowl. However, the loss to Louisville sends them to Charlotte.
Liberty Bowl- December 31st- TCU versus Kentucky- The Cats got a career game from Lynn Bowden and broke their three-game losing streak by beating Arkansas. Beale Street is certainly a good place to ring in the New Year.
Tony The Tiger Sun Bowl- December 31st- North Carolina versus California- On paper, this looks like a good match up. Given the title sponsor of the game, it would be more appropriate to say this game is “Great!!!”
Games After New Year’s Day
Gator Bowl- January 2nd- Michigan versus Missouri- Should the Tigers not be allowed to play in a bowl then either Mississippi State or Texas A&M moves here. The Spartans drop down a couple of slots after back to back losses.
Birmingham Bowl- January 2nd- SMU versus Syracuse- With no SEC team to place here the Orangemen get the nod.
Idaho Potato Bowl- January 3rd- Miami (Ohio) versus Utah State
Armed Forces Bowl- January 4th- Arizona versus Air Force
Mobile Bowl- January 6th- Toledo versus Louisiana
Games Between December 26th and December 30th
Independence Bowl- December 26th- Louisville versus Southern Mississippi- When coach of the year balloting comes around, Scott Satterfield should be near the top of the list. The job he has done rebuilding the Cardinals is pretty amazing. As a result of there not being enough SEC teams, the Golden Eagles get the nod.
Quick Lane Bowl- December 26th- Nebraska versus Virginia Tech
Military Bowl- December 27th- Duke versus Navy
Pinstripe Bowl- December 27th- North Carolina State versus Michigan State- Following back to back losses the Spartans drop down a few spots.
Texas Bowl- December 27th- Oklahoma State versus Texas A&M- The Cowboys have won four straight in what used to be a conference rivalry. 2011 was the last time these two clubs played.
Holiday Bowl- December 27th- Iowa versus Washington- The Hawkeyes move into this spot for the Big 10, as Michigan is now off to the Gator Bowl.
Cheez-It Bowl- December 27th- Kansas State versus Stanford
Camping World Bowl- December 28th- Iowa State versus Pittsburgh
First Responder Bowl- December 30th- Texas Tech versus UAB
Music City Bowl- December 30th- Miami (Florida) versus South Carolina- Following their big win against Georgia, the Gamecocks head to Nashville. They still have one of the toughest schedules in football but should be enough wins for a bowl.
Redbox Bowl- December 30th- Indiana versus Arizona State
As we finish our bowl projections following week seven, let’s look at the early games.
Bowl Games Before Christmas
Bahamas Bowl- December 20th- Eastern Michigan versus Marshall
Frisco Bowl- December 20th- Western Michigan versus Cincinnati- Along with SMU the Bearcats have an outside shot at being the group of five selection. They certainly have the body of work however Boise has to lose first.
New Mexico Bowl- December 21st- Louisiana Tech versus San Diego State
Celebration Bowl- December 21st- Alcorn State versus North Carolina A&T
Cure Bowl- December 21st- Georgia State versus Central Florida
Boca Raton Bowl- December 21st- Florida Atlantic versus Temple
Camellia Bowl- December 21st- Ohio versus Troy
Las Vegas Bowl- December 21st- Fresno State versus Washington State
New Orleans Bowl- December 21st- Appalachian State versus Western Kentucky- The Mountaineers haven’t missed a step following Scott Satterfield’s departure. On the other hand, the Hilltoppers look bowl-bound after winning only three games last year.
Gasparilla Bowl- December 23rd- Memphis versus Army
Hawaii Bowl- December 24th- Tulane versus Hawaii
Thanks for checking out our bowl projections following week seven here at Last Word On College Football. Don’t forget we will be updating them every week until the selections are announced.
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