Bowl Projections 2023-24: Predictions for CFP, New Year's Six After Week 14 AP Poll

The College Football Playoff picture appears easy to understand, as long as four of the top five teams win their respective conference championship games.

The Georgia Bulldogs, Michigan Wolverines and Florida State Seminoles are favored to win the SEC, Big Ten and ACC.

Either the Oregon Ducks or Washington Huskies will emerge from Friday as the Pac-12 champion.

If those results occur, the CFB Playoff field should be easy to put together. The conversation only gets interesting if an upset takes place in the SEC, Big Ten or ACC.

Some of the spots in the New Years' Six bowls will be up for grabs on championship weekend as well, including the Group of Five berth, which will likely go to the American Athletic Conference winner.

Week 14 AP Top 25

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ANN ARBOR, MI - NOVEMBER 25: Michigan Wolverines defensive lineman Kris Jenkins (94) waves to Ohio State fans as he celebrates in the closing seconds of a regular season Big Ten Conference college football game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Michigan Wolverines on November 25, 2023 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

1. Georgia (12-0)

2. Michigan (12-0)

3. Washington (12-0)

4. Florida State (12-0)

5. Oregon (11-1)

6. Ohio State (11-1)

7. Texas (11-1)

8. Alabama (11-1)

9. Missouri (10-2)

10. Penn State (10-2)

11. Ole Miss (10-2)

12. Oklahoma (10-2)

13. LSU (9-3)

14. Arizona (9-3)

15. Louisville (10-2)

16. Notre Dame (9-3)

17. Tulane (11-1)

18. Iowa (10-2)

19. Oklahoma State (9-3)

20. Liberty (12-0)

21. NC State (9-3)

22. Oregon State (8-4)

23. Toledo (11-1)

24. James Madison (11-1)

25. SMU (10-2)

CFB Playoff Projections

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ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 25: Georgia Bulldogs starting quarterback Carson Beck (15) during the Saturday evening college football game between the #1 ranked Georgia Bulldogs and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on November 25, 2023 at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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

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

Georgia looked like the best team in the country throughout November.

The Bulldogs offense finally clicked around quarterback Carson Beck to post five consecutive 30-plus point totals.

Georgia's offense will be the key to outlasting the Alabama Crimson Tide in the SEC Championship Game. The Bulldogs have given us no reasons to believe they will not win in Atlanta.

Michigan conquered its biggest test of the season in its win over the Ohio State Buckeyes. The Wolverines should dominate the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Championship Game to secure their playoff position.

Florida State can complete an undefeated run through the ACC with a win over the Louisville Cardinals.

The Seminoles' playoff status has been questioned after Jordan Travis' season-ending leg injury, but they should still be rewarded for an undefeated campaign.

FSU's status probably will not come into question if Georgia and Michigan win.

The Seminoles could be held to the No. 4 seed underneath the Pac-12 champion, no matter if it is Oregon or Washington.

The Ducks put together the more complete set of performances since their regular-season meeting with the Huskies, and that should help them avenge the October loss.

Oregon has the potential to jump Florida State to No. 3 because it can pick up a top-five victory on Saturday.

New Years' Six Projections

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ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 25: Marvin Harrison Jr. #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes scores a touchdown against Junior Colson #25 of the Michigan Wolverines during the fourth quarter in the game at Michigan Stadium on November 25, 2023 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Cotton Bowl (December 29): Oklahoma vs. Alabama

Peach Bowl (December 30): Penn State vs. Tulane

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

Fiesta Bowl (January 1): Texas vs. Washington

The Oregon-Washington loser will join Ohio State as clear locks to play in the New Years' Six bowls.

Alabama will not drop far from its No. 8 spot with a loss to Georgia, so it is expected to represent the SEC along with the Missouri Tigers in the NY6.

Mizzou and the Penn State Nittany Lions are locked into the top 12 to earn NY6 spots.

The Tulane Green Wave or SMU Mustangs will likely be the Group of Five representative. The Green Wave enter Saturday in better shape to win the AAC Championship Game. SMU quarterback Preston Stone suffered an injury on Saturday and his status is unknown for the Tulane matchup.

The Texas Longhorns can at least qualify for a NY6 game by winning the Big 12 Championship Game. They need plenty of help to reach the CFB Playoff.

Louisville's Week 13 loss to the Kentucky Wildcats opened up the possibility for the Oklahoma Sooners to play in the NY6. The Sooners are three spots ahead of Louisville in the new AP Top 25 and they should be in front of the Cardinals in Tuesday's CFB Playoff rankings.