College Football Playoff, New Year’s Six Bowl Projections Week 15

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, and they’ll match up nicely as two teams that came into the season with playoff expectations but fell short. The winner of this will have huge expectations for 2021, with both potentially getting their star QBs back.

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, sitting in the top 12 at time of writing.

Capital One Orange Bowl

January 2nd, 8 PM ET, ESPN
Miami Gardens, FL
ACC vs. Big Ten or SEC
Bowl Projection: North Carolina 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, UNC will slide in here, and I expect Texas A&M to be the highest-ranked SEC team outside of Alabama, and the team that will slide into the playoff should Ohio State or Clemson lose.

Rose Bowl (Semifinal)

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

It is simple for these two teams. Win and you’re in, lose and you are almost certainly out, not much more to it.

Allstate Sugar Bowl (Semifinal)

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

Both of these teams are essentially locked into the playoff even were they to lose their conference title games.

College Football Playoff National Championship

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