Changes At The Top This Week
With so many exciting games over this past weekend things almost felt normal in college football, or at least as normal as things can be right now. Thanks to an upset and a huge performance from Alabama we have some changes in the this week’s playoff. As always if you want to compare this week to last you can check them out here. A couple of things to remember as we go through our picks. First the NCAA is waving minimum win requirements this year. In addition we have three games that won’t be played. As a result of COVID-19 travel issues the Bahamas and Hawaii won’t happen in 2020. In addition the Redbox Bowl is out due to having no place to play. That means six less bids for schools. With those ground rules set let’s get to the Last Word On College Football Bowl Projections Following Week 6.
College Football Playoff
Sugar Bowl- January 1st- (1) Clemson vs. (4) Georgia- As a result of Florida’s loss to Texas A&M, another SEC team claimed the fourth spot. Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs turned a 21-17 halftime deficit into a 44-21 win over Tennessee. Clemson looked very impressive in a 42-17 win over Miami on Saturday night. Trevor Lawrence, the overwhelming Heisman favorite, and the Tigers won’t be tested again until they travel to Notre Dame on November 7th.
Rose Bowl- January 1st- (2) Alabama vs. (3) Ohio State- It’s the same two teams but we’re flipping the seeds this week. For a while on Saturday night it looked like Lane Kiffin might be the first former assistant to ever beat Nick Saban. However it wasn’t to be as the Crimson Tide eventually pulled away late for a 63-48 victory. The two teams combined for an SEC record 1370 yards including 723 from Alabama. On the other side of the ball the anticipation is almost over as Ohio State kicks off the season on October 24th.
College Football National Championship- January 11th- (1) Clemson vs. (2) Alabama– We’re moving the Tide into the championship game this week based on their season performance. This is the fourth time the two schools have played for the title with Clemson holding a 2-1 advantage.
Now that we have the playoff teams let’s move on to the New Year’s Six games where we have a couple of changes here as well.
New Year’s Six Games
Cotton Bowl- December 30th- Oklahoma State vs. Cincinnati- As leaders of the Big 12 the Cowboys head to Arlington as their representative. The Bearcats jump back into the Group of Five selection. However their next two are on the road at Tulsa and SMU.
Peach Bowl- January 1st- Florida vs. North Carolina- As a result of their loss to Texas A&M the Gators drop from the playoff to playing in Atlanta. After an impressive performance against Virginia Tech the Tar Heels move up to a New Year’s Six game.
Orange Bowl- January 2nd- Notre Dame vs. Penn State- This game remains unchanged from the last couple of weeks. Brian Kelly’s club dispatched Florida State 42-26 as they continue on the collision course with Clemson on November 7th. Much like Ohio State the Nittany Lions just want to get the season started.
Fiesta Bowl- January 2nd- Oregon vs. Wisconsin- As the winners of the Pac 12 the Ducks head to Arizona. The Badgers are the third Big 10 team projected to a major bowl.
We’re finished with the playoff and selection committee games that means it’s time for the New Year’s contests.
December 31st And January 1st Bowl Games
Citrus Bowl- January 1st- Auburn vs. Iowa- The Tigers got a really lucky break or they may have lost to Arkansas. As a result of Michigan playing in Orlando last year we’re putting the Haweyes here instead.
Outback Bowl- January 1st- Michigan vs. Tennessee- Despite their second half meltdown against Georgia we’re keeping the Volunteers here another week.
Alamo Bowl- December 31st- Texas vs. Washington
Arizona Bowl- December 31st- Ohio vs. San Diego State
Duke’s Mayo Bowl- December 31st- North Carolina State vs. Minnesota-
Liberty Bowl- December 31st- Iowa State vs. Kentucky- The Wildcats held a Mike Leach coached team without a touchdown for the first time in history in a 24-2 win over Mississippi State. These two teams have never met on the gridiron before.
Games After January 1st-
Birmingham Bowl- January 2nd- Missouri vs. Wake Forest- Following their big win over LSU the Tigers move into the bowl picture. However they are having to put the excitement on hold as their game this week against Vanderbilt became the first SEC COVID-19 postponement.
Gator Bowl- January 2nd- Texas A&M vs. Virginia Tech
Idaho Potato Bowl- January 3rd- Buffalo vs. Nevada
Armed Forces Bowl- January 4th- TCU vs. BYU
Lending Tree Bowl- January 6th- Appalachian State vs. Ball State
Continuing on with our bowl projections following week six it’s time for the games after Christmas.
Games Between December 26th and 30th
Independence Bowl- December 26th- Army vs. Stanford
Quick Lane Bowl- December 26th- Central Michigan vs. Michigan State
Cactus Bowl- December 27th- Purdue vs. West Virginia
Holiday Bowl- December 27th- USC vs. Virginia
Military Bowl- December 27th- Georgia Tech vs. Navy
Pinstripe Bowl- December 27th- Nebraska vs. Pittsburgh
Texas Bowl- December 27th- LSU vs. Texas- This shapes up as quite the shootout as neither team seems to play much defense this year.
Cheez-It Bowl- December 28th- Miami vs. Oklahoma- As a result of their loss to Clemson the Hurricanes drop from the Peach Bowl last week to the game in Orlando. On the other side of the ball the Sooners move up after winning the Red River Game ever.
First Responder Bowl- December 30th- Baylor vs. Houston
Finishing Up Our Bowl Projections following week six is all the early season games.
Before Christmas Bowl Games-
Fenway Bowl- December 2oth- Boston College vs. Memphis
Frisco Bowl- December 20th- Fresno State vs. UAB
Myrtle Beach Bowl- December 20th- Charlotte vs. Coastal Carolina
Los Angeles Bowl- December 20th- Boise State vs. California
Boca Raton Bowl- December 21st- Florida Atlantic vs. Tulane
Cameilla Bowl- December 21st- Troy vs. Western Michigan
Cure Bowl- December 21st- Georgia Southern vs. Temple
Las Vegas Bowl- December 21st- Mississippi State vs. Utah- What better game to send Leach and the Bulldogs to than Vegas. However after a couple of bad showings they need to get the “Air Raid” offense going quickly.
New Mexico Bowl- December 21st- Texas San-Antonio vs. Liberty
New Orleans Bowl- December 21st- Marshall vs. Louisiana
Gasparilla Bowl- December 23rd- Central Florida vs. Louisiana Tech
It’s another huge weekend in college football, especially in the SEC. As a result of a huge game between Alabama and Georgia our picks are going to change against next week. Thanks for checking out our bowl projections following week 6 here at Last Word On College Football. We’ll be updating the standings every week heading up to the big announcements on December 20th. Furthermore if you like or even don’t like your team’s slot leave a comment below.
