How Does Tua’s Injury Affect Alabama And The SEC?
This past Saturday was a lot quieter than the week before with the top teams winning. However, the injury to Tua Tagovailoa could have far-reaching effects for the rest of the year. Who is in the playoff? Let’s start running them down with our bowl projections following Week 12.
College Football Playoff
Peach Bowl- December 28th- (1)- LSU versus (4)- Oregon- Ever since their season-opening loss to Auburn the Ducks are rolling. Winners of nine in a row, we left Oregon in here for a second straight week. The Tigers had some trouble stopping the Ole Miss offense, however likely Heisman winner Joe Burrow had another monster game.
Fiesta Bowl- January 1st- (2)- Ohio State versus (3)- Clemson- Each team had convincing victories on Saturday. The Buckeyes beat Rutgers 56-21 while the Tigers hammered Wake Forest 52-0. Clemson would carry a 28 game winning streak into the Fiesta Bowl.
National Championship- January 13th- (1)- LSU versus (2)- Ohio State- Again these have been the two best teams in football in 2019. Burrow versus Justin Fields? Go ahead and take our money now.
Now, it’s time for the Bowl Selection Committee games and honestly, you can make a case for about a dozen teams in these contests.
New Year’s Six/Bowl Selection Committee Games
Cotton Bowl- December 28th- Memphis versus Georgia- Could there be three SEC teams in this set of games? It is entirely possible. Should the Bulldogs lose to LSU in the SEC title game they will likely be ranked behind Alabama which sends them here. It is between the Tigers and Cincinnati for who gets the Group of Five bid.
Orange Bowl- December 30th- Florida versus Virginia- The winner of the season finale between the Cavaliers and Virginia Tech heads to Miami. As a result of the game being in Charlottesville we are picking UVA. The Gators need only to beat Florida State in two weeks to cement their bid.
Rose Bowl- January 1st- Minnesota versus Utah- Despite their loss to Iowa, we are sticking with the Golden Gophers to go to Pasadena. With Oregon making the playoff the Utes go to the Rose Bowl. If Oregon doesn’t make the playoff then Utah likely goes to the Alamo Bowl.
Sugar Bowl- January 1st- Alabama versus Oklahoma- Obviously the injury to Tua takes some of the luster off this game. It’s going to be interesting to see how Mac Jones performs going forward. Should Alabama lose to Auburn then they likely drop out of the New Year’s Six. The Sooners are the “first team out” in our rankings this week. Jalen Hurts’ comeback against Baylor was one for the ages.
As we continue our bowl projections following week 12 it’s time for the games around New Year’s Eve and Day. With two weeks left in the season and the NCAA still hasn’t ruled on Missouri’s appeal of their bowl ban. If the Tigers don’t make it then deciding the SEC schools is going to be a mess.
New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day Games
Citrus Bowl- January 1st- Auburn versus Wisconsin- The winner of the Badgers and Golden Gophers ends up in the Rose Bowl, the loser goes to Orlando.
Outback Bowl- January 1st- Penn State versus Texas A&M- The Nittany Lions head to Florida for a second straight year. This time it’s to Tampa to face Jimbo Fisher’s Aggies.
Alamo Bowl- December 31st- Texas versus Washington
Arizona Bowl- December 31st- Georgia Southern versus Wyoming- This game remains unchanged from last week.
Belk Bowl- December 31st- Kentucky versus Virginia Tech- As it stands right now the two most likely destinations for the Wildcats are the Belk or Liberty. Should Kentucky win out then Charlotte it is. This would be the first matchup between these two schools since 1987. Kentucky holds an 11-6 advantage all-time with two ties.
Liberty Bowl- December 31st- Cincinnati versus TCU- With no SEC team available the Bearcats take this bid.
Tony The Tiger Sun Bowl- December 31st- Arizona State versus Miami- The Sun Devils have lost four straight and need one more win to become bowl eligible.
Games After January 1st-
Birmingham Bowl- January 2nd- Liberty versus Tulane
Taxslayer Gator Bowl- January 2nd- Michigan versus Tennessee- The Vols still need one more win but we like their chances.
Idaho Potato Bowl- January 3rd- Central Michigan versus Utah State
Armed Forces Bowl- January 4th- Air Force versus Buffalo
Mobile Alabama Bowl- January 6th- Louisiana versus Miami (Ohio)
Our bowl projections following week 12 continue on with the games after Christmas.
Games Between December 26th and 30th
First Responder Bowl- December 30th- Florida Atlantic versus Fresno State- With no Big 12 team available we are moving putting Fresno in their place.
Music City Bowl- December 30th- Louisville versus Missouri- This would be a virtual home game for the Cardinals.
Redbox Bowl- December 30th- California versus Indiana
Camping World Bowl- December 28th- Baylor versus Notre Dame- The loss to Oklahoma likely costs the Bears a New Year’s Six game. Brian Kelly’s Irish have looked good the last couple of weeks and are back in the discussion for a higher profile game.
Cheez-It Bowl- December 27th- Iowa State versus Nevada
Holiday Bowl- December 27th- Iowa versus USC
Military Bowl- December 27th- Navy versus Pittsburgh
Pinstripe Bowl- December 27th- Illinois versus Wake Forest
Texas Bowl- December 27th- Mississippi State versus Oklahoma State
Quick Lane Bowl- December 26th- Florida State versus Michigan State- The Spartans have to win their last two to make a bowl game.
Independence Bowl- December 26th- North Carolina versus Charlotte- The winner of the UNC-North Carolina State game goes to Shreveport. As a result of no SEC team to play here the 49ers get a bid.
As we wrap up our bowl projections following week 12 let’s look at all games before Christmas.
Early Season Bowl Schedule
Bahamas Bowl- December 20th- Ball State versus North Texas
Frisco Bowl- December 20th- Marshall versus Temple
Boca Raton Bowl- December 21st- Western Kentucky versus Western Michigan
Camellia Bowl- December 21st- Georgia State versus Ohio
Celebration Bowl- December 21st- Alcorn State versus North Carolina A&T
Cure Bowl- December 21st- Arkansas State versus Central Florida
Las Vegas Bowl- December 21st- Boise State versus Washington State
New Mexico Bowl- December 21st- San Diego State versus UAB
New Orleans Bowl- December 21st- Appalachian State versus Southern Mississippi- This game has the potential to be one of the best of the early season bowls.
Gasparilla Bowl- December 23rd- SMU versus Louisiana Tech
Hawaii Bowl- December 24th- BYU versus Hawaii- The Cougars accepted a bid to this game following Saturday’s 42-10 victory over Idaho State.
It’s a lot to digest but that’s our bowl projections following week 12. We will be back here this time next week with updated picks. Thanks for checking this and all the great content out here at Last Word On College Football.
