From movement of teams in the tiers of bowl games to new teams in the field, this week’s bowl projections highlight the development seen among teams, through the wins and losses, as the middle of the season approaches. Check out the matchups below.
Celebration Bowl (Dec. 12 at 12 PM EST)
South Carolina State vs Jackson State
Arizona Bowl (TBD)
Eastern Michigan vs UNLV
Salute to Veterans Bowl (Dec. 15 at 5:30 PM EST)
UAB vs Middle Tennessee State
Frisco Football Classic (Dec. 15 at 9 PM EST)
Louisiana Tech vs UMass
Boca Raton Bowl (Dec.18 at 11 AM EST)
Florida International vs Toledo
Gasparilla Bowl (Dec. 18 at 2:30 PM EST)
UTSA vs James Madison
Myrtle Beach Bowl (Dec. 21 at 11 AM EST)
Georgia State vs South Florida
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (Dec. 21 at 2:30 PM EST)
San Jose State vs Marshall
Puerto Rico Bowl (Dec. 22 at 1:30 PM EST)
Central Michigan vs San Diego State
Cure Bowl (Dec. 22 at 5 PM EST)
Western Michigan vs Liberty
Independence Bowl (Dec. 22 at 8:30 PM EST)
Florida Atlantic vs West Virginia
New Orleans Bowl (Dec. 23 at 2 PM EST)
Jacksonville State vs Louisiana
Armed Forces Bowl (Dec. 23 at 5:30 PM EST)
Cincinnati vs Tulsa
Poinsettia Bowl (Dec. 23 at 7:30 PM EST)
North Dakota State vs Fresno State
Frisco Bowl (Dec. 23 at 9 PM EST)
Delaware vs Troy
New Mexico Bowl (Dec. 24 at 2:30 PM EST)
New Mexico vs Appalachian State
Hawaii Bowl (Dec. 24 at 7 PM EST)
Tulane vs Oregon State
Pinstripe Bowl (Dec. 26 at 12 PM EST)
Virginia vs Wisconsin
Fenway Bowl (Dec. 26 at 2 PM EST)
Clemson vs North Texas
Duke’s Mayo Bowl (Dec. 26 at 3:30 PM EST)
Florida State vs Nebraska
68 Ventures Bowl (Dec. 26 at 5:30 PM EST)
South Alabama vs Ohio
Cactus Bowl (Dec. 26 at 7:30 PM EST)
Penn State vs Iowa State
Military Bowl (Dec. 28 at 2 PM EST)
SMU vs Memphis
Holiday Bowl (Dec. 28 at 5 PM EST)
Pittsburgh vs Arizona State
Birmingham Bowl (Dec. 29 at 2 PM EST)
Auburn vs Louisville
Pop Tarts Bowl (Dec. 29 at 5:30 PM EST)
Wake Forest vs Oklahoma State
Alamo Bowl (Dec. 29 at 9 PM EST)
Texas Tech vs UCLA
Gator Bowl (Dec. 30 at 11:30 PM EST)
Duke vs Tennessee
Music City Bowl (Dec. 30 at 3 PM EST)
Minnesota vs Florida
Reliaquest Bowl (Dec. 31 at 12 PM EST)
Northwestern vs Missouri
Sun Bowl (Dec. 31 at 2 PM EST)
Virginia Tech vs Arizona
Las Vegas Bowl (Dec. 31 at 3:45 PM EST)
USC vs Mississippi State
Texas Bowl (Dec. 31 at 7:30 PM EST)
Baylor vs Texas A&M
Citrus Bowl (Jan. 2 at 12 PM EST)
Iowa vs LSU
First Responder Bowl (Jan. 2 at 3:30 PM EST)
Michigan vs Air Force
Liberty Bowl (Jan 2. At 7:30 PM EST)
Houston vs Kentucky
CFP First Round:
8/9:
Utah vs BYU
Photo Courtesy Utah Athletics
We are still projecting The Holy War. The loss of LJ Martin to injury for 4-6 weeks, per Pete Thamel, will hurt BYU, but they still find themselves in the same spot as last week in the bowl projections.
5/12:
Ohio State vs Boise State
Photo Courtesy Ohio State Athletics
The Buckeyes drop, forcing them into a first round matchup, and a matchup with Boise State. The Broncos continue to impress in the Pac-12 and will make this a competitive game like they always do against top teams.
7/10:
Indiana vs Oregon
Photo Courtesy Oregon Athletics
A rematch of last year’s Peach Bowl, Dan Lanning and the Oregon Ducks will get their third shot in two years to defeat Curt Cignetti and the Indiana Hoosiers. With Dante Moore in a week-to-week status, the country will get to see Dylan Raiola run the Oregon offense, and if he performs well, it could be a similar situation from what Ole Miss did a season ago with Trinidad Chambliss and Austin Simmons.
6/11:
Notre Dame vs Ole Miss
Photo Courtesy Notre Dame Athletics
Speaking of Ole Miss, they climb back into the playoff and travel to play Notre Dame. The Irish defense looked shaky against North Carolina in their last game, and that is an area of concern when it comes to playing against a high powered offense led by Trinidad Chambliss and Kewan Lacy.
CFP Quarterfinals:
Fiesta Bowl (Dec. 30 at 7:30 PM EST)
3 Texas vs Ole Miss
Photo Courtesy Texas Athletics
These two teams will play Oct. 24 in Austin. Until then, it can only be speculated who wins this one, especially being on a neutral field. Texas still feels like an unproven team offensively despite having an elite defense. It will be a close game that will come down to who executes in crunch time.
Peach Bowl (Jan 1. at TBD)
2 Georgia vs Indiana
Photo Courtesy Georgia Athletics
It would be very impressive if Indiana came out with a win here. Kirby Smart always finds a way to win in Atlanta, being right in the backyard of Athens. This year’s Georgia team looks like a true contender for the national championship, with veteran experience on offense and a strong defense.
Cotton Bowl (Jan. 1 at TBD)
1 Miami vs Utah
Photo Courtesy Miami Athletics
No change here from the past few weeks, with Miami beating Utah.
Rose Bowl (Jan 1. at TBD)
4 Alabama vs Ohio State
Photo Courtesy Alabama Athletics
This would be the best quarterfinal matchup out of the four. Two of the most explosive offenses this season going toe to toe would be must-see TV. Julian Sayin playing against his former team for the first time. Keelon Russell playing in his first ever playoff game. Plenty of notable headlines, but in the end, Ohio State’s defense is the reason they win this one, despite the fact that Alabama’s defense has gotten much better in recent weeks.
CFP Semifinals:
Orange Bowl (Jan 14. at 7:30 PM EST)
Miami vs Ohio State
Sugar Bowl (Jam 15. At 7:30 PM EST)
Georgia vs Ole Miss
Conference Winners:
ACC
Miami
American
Memphis
Big 12
Utah
Big Ten
Ohio State
CUSA
Liberty
MAC
Western Michigan
Mountain West
North Dakota State
Pac-12
Boise State
SEC
Georgia
Sun Belt
James Madison
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