College Football Playoff, New Year’s Six Bowl Projections Week 14 – Two ACC Teams In

These projections are NOT if the season ended today, they are projected ahead to the end of the season

GoodYear Cotton Bowl Classic

December 30th, 7:15 PM ET, ESPN
Arlington, TX
At-Large vs. At-Large
Bowl Projection: Oklahoma vs Georgia

These will likely be the two highest-ranked two-loss teams in the country outside of Florida, and they’ll match up nicely as two teams that came into the season with playoff expectations but fell short.

Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl

January 1st, 12:30 PM ET, ESPN
Atlanta, GA
At-Large vs. At-Large
Bowl Projection: Florida vs Cincinnati

Cincinnati, which looks poised to finish the season unbeaten, will get a nice consolation prize as they take on the SEC runner-ups in the Peach Bowl. The Bearcats could still get into the playoff with losses by Florida, Clemson, and Texas A&M, but the last of that list seems like an ultimate longshot.

PlayStation Fiesta Bowl

January 2nd, 4 PM ET, ESPN
Glendale, AZ
At-Large vs. At-Large
Bowl Projection: Indiana vs. USC

USC doesn’t have a shot to make the playoff, but the Trojans look to be in good shape for a New Year’s Six bowl. Indiana also seems to be in good position, and they have a shot at an automatic bid if Ohio State is officially disqualified from Big Ten title contention. The Hoosiers would be favored in a hypothetically showdown with Northwestern.

Capital One Orange Bowl

January 2nd, 8 PM ET, ESPN
Miami Gardens, FL
ACC vs. Big Ten or SEC
Bowl Projection: Miami vs. Texas A&M

This is the only NY6 game this year with tie-ins, as an ACC team must face a team from the Big Ten or SEC. If both ACC title game participants make it to the Playoff Miami will slide in here, and I expect Texas A&M to be the highest-ranked SEC team outside of Alabama.

Rose Bowl (Semifinal)

January 1st, 5 PM ET, ESPN
Pasadena, CA
CFP vs. CFP
Bowl Projection: Ohio State vs. Clemson

Will Ohio State be allowed to play in the Big Ten Championship Game? I’m not sure, but whether the Buckeyes get Northwestern or Iowa on the final weekend likely will not make a difference in their playoff chances assuming they win. As for Clemson, the Tigers’ path is simple: win and you are in.

Allstate Sugar Bowl (Semifinal)

January 1st, 8:45 PM ET, ESPN
New Orleans, LA
CFP vs. CFP
Projection: Alabama vs. Notre Dame

After the ACC canceled a potentially tough Wake Forest game, Notre Dame is essentially a lock for the playoff even with a loss to Clemson in the ACC Championship Game. I expect a loss to drop the Irish to the four seed, however, where they’ll be placed opposite Alabama.

College Football Playoff National Championship

January 11th, 8 PM ET, ESPN
Miami Gardens, FL
Projection: Ohio State vs. Alabama
Pick: Alabama