Bowl Predictions 2022: CFP Projections Heading into Week 14

The countless chaotic College Football Playoff scenarios from the last few weeks have made way for the simplest set of circumstances going into Week 14, or as we like to call it, conference championship weekend.

The Georgia Bulldogs, Michigan Wolverines, TCU Horned Frogs and USC Trojans all need to win their respective conference championship games and they will be into the playoff.

Each of the top four teams gave us many reasons to believe last week that they are capable of finishing the jobs in their respective leagues.

Georgia has been dominant all season long, Michigan found another level in its win over the Ohio State Buckeyes, TCU has passed every test, no matter how easy or hard, and USC has the Heisman Trophy favorite Caleb Williams leading its fantastic offense.

The four playoff teams and the order of their rankings will be settled with four victories on Friday and Saturday.

While the last few weeks have seen plenty of upsets, the four title game matchups favor each of the top four teams and that could lead to the calmest playoff conversation in recent memory.

College Football Playoff Predictions

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COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 26: Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) looks to pass during a college football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes on November 26, 2022 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

College Football Playoff

Peach Bowl (December 31): Georgia vs. USC

Fiesta Bowl (December 31): Michigan vs. TCU

New Years' Six

Orange Bowl (December 30): Clemson vs. Tennessee

Sugar Bowl (December 31): Kansas State vs. Alabama

Cotton Bowl (January 2): Penn State vs. Tulane

Rose Bowl (January 2): Ohio State vs. Washington

No. 1 Georgia vs. No. 4 USC

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ATHENS, GA - NOVEMBER 26: Georgia Bulldogs starting quarterback Stetson Bennett (13) scrambles during the second half of the Saturday afternoon college football game between the University of Georgia Bulldogs and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on November 26, 2022 at Sanford Stadium in Athens, GA. (Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Georgia is the safest team of the top four programs in the FBS.

The Bulldogs ran through the SEC with few struggles and they are in great position to repeat as national champion.

Kirby Smart's team conceded fewer than 20 points in nine of 12 games and its resume contains two commanding wins over ranked opposition.

Georgia is expected to continue its surge through SEC play on Saturday against the LSU Tigers.

LSU showed vulnerabilities in its loss to the Texas A&M Aggies on Saturday. The Tigers must play a perfect game against Georgia, and even that may not be enough to spring an upset.

Georgia is the more experienced team in the SEC Championship Game and that should show throughout four quarters in Atlanta.

The Bulldogs would be the No. 1 overall seed and would play in their home state at the Peach Bowl if they take care of LSU.

USC carved its path to the playoff with wins over the UCLA Bruins and Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the last two weeks and thanks to losses suffered by a handful of teams in front of it in the rankings.

The Trojans do not need any help to get into the playoff. They just need to avenge their only regular-season loss against the Utah Utes in Las Vegas on Friday night.

USC scored 42 points on Utah on October 15 and its offense scored at least 38 points in each of the five games that followed.

Caleb Williams can lock up the Heisman Trophy with another big day. He has 15 passing touchdowns and seven rushing scores since the loss to Utah.

A Williams-led USC victory would put the Trojans at No. 4 if form holds across the top four. That could set up a fascinating clash between a high-powered Trojans offense and a tough Georgia defense.

No. 2 Michigan vs. No. 3 TCU

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FORT WORTH, TX - NOVEMBER 26: TCU Horned Frogs wide receiver Blair Conwright (0) runs for a first down during the game between the TCU Horned Frogs and the Iowa State Cyclones on November 26, 2022 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Michigan and TCU moved one step away from the playoff with incredible showings against two different types of opponents in Week 13.

Michigan tore apart the Ohio State Buckeyes defense in a battle of undefeated teams. TCU blew out an Iowa State Cyclones side that missed out on a bowl game.

The pair of offensive performances sprung up fascination for what a Michigan-TCU playoff semifinal would look like.

Michigan was known for its dominant rushing attack, but J.J. McCarthy added another element to the offense with a strong passing day against Ohio State.

TCU's biggest strength is its passing game, led by quarterback Max Duggan and wide receiver Quentin Johnston.

Michigan is expected to roll past the Purdue Boilermakers in the Big Ten Championship Game. Purdue was the best team in a very mediocre Big Ten West.

TCU likely faces the toughest test of the top four teams in the Big 12 Championship Game against the Kansas State Wildcats.

TCU beat Kansas State by 10 points at the end of a four-game stretch against ranked opposition. The Horned Frogs posted 495 total yards in the 38-28 victory.

The Horned Frogs have proven they can score at will and win close games, as they did two weeks ago against the Baylor Bears.

An upset is always possible, but if Michigan and TCU play at their best, they will likely see each other in the Fiesta Bowl.