A Big Upset Changes the Playoff
Things were progressing along quite smoothly this week until Arizona State upset Oregon. After a couple of weeks of having them in the playoff that loss knocked them out. In addition, could it hurt Utah as well? Who’s our new fourth team? Let’s find out with our bowl projections following Week 13.
College Football Playoff
Peach Bowl- December 28th- (1)- LSU versus (4)- Oklahoma- The Ducks loss is the Sooners gain. A matchup of Joe Burrow against Jalen Hurts has the makings of an instant classic. Utah and Alabama were also discussed for the spot but in the end, Oklahoma’s schedule gives them the edge.
Fiesta Bowl- December 28th- (2)- Ohio State versus (3)- Clemson- Penn State gave the Buckeyes all they could handle pushing the Buckeyes for the first time all year. The Tigers aren’t getting a whole lot of publicity but if they take care of business the next two weeks they head to Arizona on a 28 game winning streak.
College Football Championship- (1)- LSU versus (2)- Ohio State- This remains unchanged from the last couple of weeks. The two best teams all season face off for the championship.
As we continue our bowl projections following Week 13 let’s look at the New Year’s Six games.
New Year’s Six/Selection Committee Games
Cotton Bowl- December 28th- Florida versus Memphis- Momentum is building that the Gators will head to Jerry World for their bowl. Appalachian State, Boise State, and Cincinnati all have a chance for the Group of Five bid. However, at the end of the day, we think Mike Norvell’s Tigers is the one standing.
Orange Bowl- December 30th- Georgia versus Virginia- The winner of Saturday’s game between Virginia and Virginia Tech is going to Miami. Because the game is in Charlottesville we are going with the Cavaliers. The Bulldogs could also land in the Cotton Bowl. However, this is the trending destination.
Rose Bowl- January 1st- Minnesota versus Utah- This matchup is the same as last week however we had the Utes as the runner up from the Pac-12. As a result of Oregon’s loss, they now go as the champion.
Sugar Bowl- January 1st- Alabama versus Baylor- Beat Auburn on Saturday and the Crimson Tide still have a good shot at being the fourth team. However, we think their schedule is going to be their undoing. With Oklahoma moving up to the playoff the Bears are back as the representative from the Big 12.
Now it’s time to look at the games on New Year’s Eve and the remaining New Year’s Day Games. As we say every week the SEC doesn’t have enough teams to qualify for all their bowls. In addition, Mississippi State must beat Ole Miss to get to six wins. Furthermore, Missouri is sinking fast but still hasn’t heard from the NCAA on its bowl ban appeal.
Games of December 31 and January 1st
Citrus Bowl- January 1st- Auburn versus Wisconsin- With four SEC teams playing in the top bowls the Tigers get the best game available. Should the Badgers beat Minnesota on Saturday then the two teams switch places.
Outback Bowl- January 1st- Penn State versus Texas A&M- As mentioned earlier the Nittany Lions took Ohio State to the wire. The same can be said about the Aggies against Georgia. Texas A&M has never played in this game while Penn State last played in 2011.
Alamo Bowl- December 31st- Kansas State versus Oregon- Not only did the loss to Arizona State cost the Ducks a possible playoff berth they drop down to the game in San Antonio.
Arizona Bowl- December 31st- Georgia Southern versus Utah State
Belk Bowl- December 31st- Kentucky versus Virginia Tech- The news this would be the last for the “Best Bowl” is very sad. The loser of the battle of Virginia ends up here. There’s a lot of buzz about Kentucky and the Liberty Bowl. However, for now, we are keeping them in Charlotte.
Liberty Bowl- December 31st- Cincinnati versus Iowa State- With no SEC team available the Bearcats head to Memphis.
Tony The Tiger Sun Bowl- December 31st- Wake Forest versus Washington
As we continue our bowl projections following week 13 let’s look at the games after January 1st.
Post-New Year’s Day Games
Birmingham Bowl- January 2nd- Tulane versus Liberty- With no SEC teams available the Flames take the bid.
Taxslayer Gator Bowl- January 2nd- Iowa versus Tennessee- The Vols have won four in a row and match up against a good Hawkeye club. These two teams met in the 2015 game with Tennessee winning 45-28.
Idaho Potato Bowl- January 3rd- Central Michigan versus Nevada
Armed Forces Bowl- January 4th- Air Force versus Ohio
Lending Tree Bowl- January 6th- Louisiana versus Western Michigan- The former Mobile Alabama bowl picked up a sponsor and this should be a good match up.
Up next in our bowl projections following week 13 are the games after Christmas.
Post-Christmas Bowl Games
Independence Bowl- December 26th- Charlotte versus North Carolina- The 49ers go as a replacement team for the SEC.
Quick Lane Bowl- December 26th- Florida State versus Michigan State
Cheez-It Bowl- December 27th- Arizona State versus TCU
Holiday Bowl- December 27th- Michigan versus USC- Every year the game in San Diego is one of the best and this matchup is no different.
Military Bowl- December 27th- Miami (Fl) versus Navy
Pinstripe Bowl- December 27th- Illinois versus Pittsburgh
Texas Bowl- December 27th- Mississippi State versus Texas
Camping World Bowl- December 28th- Notre Dame versus Oklahoma State
First Responder Bowl- December 30th- Buffalo versus Marshall
Music City Bowl- December 30th- Louisville versus Missouri– Again we are assuming the Tigers get to play in a bowl. The last time an SEC school didn’t play in Nashville was 2005 when Virginia beat Minnesota 34-31.
Redbox Bowl- December 30th- California versus Indiana
As we finish up our bowl projections following week 13 let’s now look at the early season bowl games.
Bahamas Bowl- December 20th- Miami (Ohio) versus Western Kentucky
Frisco Bowl- December 20th- SMU versus Wyoming
Boca Raton Bowl- December 21st- Central Florida versus Toledo
Camellia Bowl- December 21st- Georgia State versus Eastern Michigan
Celebration Bowl- December 21st- Alcorn State versus North Carolina A&T
Cure Bowl- December 21st- Arkansas State versus Temple
Las Vegas Bowl- December 21st- Boise State versus Washington State
New Mexico Bowl- December 21st- Louisiana Tech versus San Diego State
New Orleans Bowl- December 21st- Appalachian State versus Southern Mississippi
Gasparilla Bowl- December 23rd- Florida Atlantic versus Florida International
Hawaii Bowl- December 24th- BYU versus Hawaii- The Cougars have already accepted a bid to this game.
Thanks for checking out our bowl projections following week 13 here at Last Word On College Football. We’ll be back this time next week with an update following “Rivalry Week.”
