College Football Playoff 2022: Full Bowl Predictions for Biggest Matchups
Bowl season isn't too far away, and the most important games of the 2022 college football season (the College Football Playoff semifinal matchups) will take place later in Decmber. First, though, the teams heading to the CFP need to be decided.
The four-team playoff field will be announced Sunday after the conclusion of conference championship weekend. Before then, several high-stakes games on Friday and Saturday will determine which teams are likely to get picked by the selection committee for an opportunity to compete for the national championship.
Georgia, Michigan, TCU and USC all control their own destinies. The former two are likely CFP locks win or lose this week, while the latter pair might need victories to get in. And the seeding could still change based on how these four teams get on.
Here are predictions for how the CFP picture (and the rest of the New Year's Six Bowl matchups) will shake out.
Peach Bowl: No. 1 Georgia vs. No. 4 USC
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It's highly unlikely Georgia doesn't end up as the No. 1 seed in the Peach Bowl. It should win the SEC Championship Game on Saturday, as it's heavily favored against LSU. And that will secure them the top spot.
The Bulldogs will then have a home-field-type advantage with this CFP semifinal matchup being held in Atlanta. It's a deserved reward for a team that has been the best in the country this season, navigating its way through a difficult SEC schedule.
The prediction here is that Georgia's opponent will end up being USC. The Trojans must win the Pac-12 Championship Game against Utah on Friday night, and that will likely be a competitive contest.
However, USC should come out on top (avenging its lone loss from the regular season) and head to the CFP for the first time in program history.
The Peach Bowl should be exciting, as the Bulldogs have one of the best defenses in the nation and the Trojans' offense is led by sophomore quarterback Caleb Williams, the front-runner to win the Heisman Trophy. That will be the top matchup to watch in this game.
Fiesta Bowl: No. 2 Michigan vs. No. 3 TCU
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The only way Michigan won't be the No. 2 seed is if Georgia somehow loses to LSU and the Wolverines move up to No. 1. Because it doesn't seem likely they'll fall in Saturday's Big Ten Championship Game against Purdue, which is 8-4 this season.
With Georgia likely to win, Michigan will be in the Fiesta Bowl against the team that ends up as the No. 3 seed. And that's going to be TCU, as long as the Horned Frogs don't lose to Kansas State in Big 12 Championship Game on Saturday.
That should be a competitive matchup, but TCU has continuously found ways to win games (including when it faced Kansas State during the regular season). So, the Horned Frogs should win again and secure a spot in the CFP for the first time in program history.
The Fiesta Bowl will then feature a pair of undefeated Power Five conference champions. And while Michigan will be favorites, TCU continues to prove it can't be counted out.
Rest of New Year's Six Bowls
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Rose Bowl: Ohio State vs. Washington
Cotton Bowl: Penn State vs. Tulane
Sugar Bowl: Alabama vs. Kansas State
Orange Bowl: Clemson vs. Tennessee
Ohio State is currently in the No. 5 spot in the CFP rankings. If either TCU or USC loses, the Buckeyes are the team most likely to get picked for the playoff. If not, they could get the Big Ten spot in the Rose Bowl.
Alabama and Tennessee will end up in New Year's Six bowls, as the Crimson Tide and Vols are the two best SEC teams that won't be in the CFP. One of them is sure to get the conference's place in the Sugar Bowl.
The top-ranked team from the Group of Five will be heading to the Cotton Bowl. Right now, that's likely to be Tulane, which faces UCF in the AAC Championship Game.
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