Bowl Projections 2023-24: Predictions for CFP, New Year's Six After Week 13 AP Poll

The top five of the AP Top 25 experienced a reshuffling on Sunday, but the reconfiguration may not mean anything because of the games ahead in the next two weeks.

The Ohio State Buckeyes and Michigan Wolverines, who flipped between No. 2 and No. 3, square off in Week 13's marquee clash.

The Washington Huskies moved ahead of the Florida State Seminoles to No. 4. They will likely take on the sixth-ranked Oregon Ducks in the Pac-12 Championship Game in two weeks.

All of the marquee games in the next two weeks will help the College Football Playoff selection committee figure out the four playoff teams and which programs will land in the New Years' Six bowls.

We have a good idea of which 12 teams will play in the most prestigious bowl games, but who takes part in the playoff and what the matchups are will be decided in the next two weeks.

Week 13 AP Top 25

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COLUMBUS, OHIO - NOVEMBER 18: Wide receiver Emeka Egbuka #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes catches a pass during the second quarter against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Ohio Stadium on November 18, 2023 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images)

1. Georgia (11-0)

2. Ohio State (11-0)

3. Michigan (11-0)

4. Washington (11-0)

5. Florida State (11-0)

6. Oregon (10-1)

7. Texas (10-1)

8. Alabama (10-1)

9. Louisville (10-1)

10. Missouri (9-2)

11. Penn State (9-2)

12. Ole Miss (9-2)

13. Oklahoma (9-2)

14. LSU (8-3)

15. Oregon State (8-3)

16. Arizona (8-3)

17. Notre Dame (8-3)

18. Tulane (10-1)

19. Kansas State (8-3)

20. Iowa (9-2)

21. Oklahoma State (8-3)

22. Liberty (11-0)

23. Toledo (10-1)

24. James Madison (10-1)

25. Tennessee (7-4)

CFB Playoff Projections

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COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND - NOVEMBER 18: J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Michigan Wolverines warms up before the game against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium on November 18, 2023 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

Sugar Bowl (January 1): No. 1 Georgia vs. No. 4 Oregon

Rose Bowl (January 1): No. 2 Michigan vs. No. 3 Florida State

A handful of major developments will be talked about in the buildup to Ohio State-Michigan in regards to the CFB Playoff.

Ohio State jumped Michigan by one spot in the latest AP Top 25, but that change does not mean anything except for the numbers next to both teams' names on the scoreboard.

The Ohio State-Michigan winner will still have a wide-open pathway to the playoff as the Big Ten champion. The Buckeyes and Wolverines are both expected to beat the Iowa Hawkeyes next week.

Michigan did not have a great performance against the Maryland Terrapins in Week 12, but it has still been more consistent than Ohio State, who also faced some difficulties against the Terps before pulling away in the second half.

Michigan's ground game, led by Blake Corum, was the difference in the last two meetings with Ohio State. The Buckeyes have to prove they can stop Michigan on the ground to swing the rivalry back in their favor and land in the playoff.

Florida State's loss of quarterback Jordan Travis significantly decreased its chances to win the playoff, but it can still reach the final four with wins over the Florida Gators and then against the Louisville Cardinals in the ACC Championship Game.

The Pac-12 champion will hold the fourth playoff spot if Georgia and Florida State win out and no upsets occur in the Big Ten Championship Game.

Washington found itself in the national headlines for its Saturday win over the Oregon State Beavers, but it is not playing as well as Oregon.

The Ducks won five straight games by nine or more points and their defense held three of their last four foes under 20 points.

Oregon limited Michael Penix Jr. for parts of its head-to-head meeting with Washington and it could do the same in the Pac-12 Championship Game in two weeks. The Ducks need to beat Oregon State to set up the rematch.

New Years' Six Projections

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COLUMBIA, MO - NOVEMBER 18: Missouri Tigers running back Cody Schrader (7) runs down the sideline for a big gain during a SEC conference game between the Florida Gators and the Missouri Tigers held on Saturday Nov 18, 2023 at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium in Columbia MO. (Photo by Rick Ulreich/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Cotton Bowl (December 29): Penn State vs. Alabama

Peach Bowl (December 30): Missouri vs. Tulane

Orange Bowl (December 30): Ohio State vs. Louisville

Fiesta Bowl (January 1): Washington vs. Texas

The New Years' Six picture almost shifted on Saturday night, but the Missouri Tigers survived an upset bid from the Florida Gators.

Mizzou just needs to beat the Arkansas Razorbacks in Week 13 to finish inside the top 10 and feel safe about its NY6 status.

The losers of the ACC, Pac-12 and SEC Championship Games should fill up three of the NY6 spots, as well as the Michigan-Ohio State loser.

The Texas Longhorns appear to be the odd team out among the potential power-five conference champions right now. They are likely bound for a NY6 bowl if no upsets occur in the next two weeks.

The Tulane Green Wave are the highest-ranked Group of Five team in the AP Top 25. They face the UTSA Roadrunners on Friday with a spot in the American Athletic Conference Championship Game on the line.

Tulane would play the SMU Mustangs in two weeks, if it beats UTSA on Friday, and the winner of that contest will likely take the Group of Five berth in the NY6.