Bowl Projections 2023: Latest Predictions for CFP Final and Most Dangerous Teams

The College Football Playoff bracket will be announced Sunday. However, no school has yet solidified its spot among the four-team field, as plenty could happen to shake up the rankings during conference championship weekend.

Georgia and Michigan control its own destinies, as both could become undefeated conference champions on Saturday. The Bulldogs will face Alabama in the SEC Championship Game, while the Wolverines will play Iowa in the Big Ten Championship Game.

Florida State may also end up an undefeated conference champion, as it will face Louisville in the ACC Championship Game. That could secure the Seminoles a spot in the CFP field.

The Pac-12 Championship Game features Washington and Oregon, with the winner likely clinching a Playoff berth. The loser will no longer have nearly as strong of a CFP case.

Heading into conference championship weekend, here's a look at the latest bowl projections, followed by some dangerous teams that could cause shakeups this weekend.

Bowl Projections

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INGLEWOOD, CA - JANUARY 04: The College Football Playoff National Championship event logo is displayed during the week leading up to CFP National Championship game between the TCU Horned Frogs and the Georgia Bulldogs on January 04, 2023, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

College Football Playoff

Sugar Bowl: No. 1 Georgia vs. No. 4 Oregon

Rose Bowl: No. 2 Michigan vs. No. 3 Florida State

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Rest of New Year's Six

Fiesta Bowl: Washington vs. Alabama

Orange Bowl: Louisville vs. Ohio State

Peach Bowl: Missouri vs. Penn State

Cotton Bowl: Texas vs. Tulane

Washington

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SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 25: Rome Odunze #1 of the Washington Huskies celebrates his touchdown with Michael Penix Jr. #9 of the Washington Huskies against the Washington State Cougars at Husky Stadium on November 25, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Many college football analysts are predicting that Oregon will defeat Washington in the Pac-12 Championship Game on Friday night. The Ducks' only loss of the season was a 36-33 defeat at Washington on Oct. 14, and they could easily get revenge in the rematch.

That's far from a given, though, despite Oregon looking quite impressive during its active six-game winning streak. Meanwhile, Washington has continued to roll, notching narrow victories over Oregon State and Washington State the past two weeks to finish the regular season at 12-0.

The Huskies could spoil the CFP projections that have the Ducks among the four-team field. If Washington wins, it will make the Playoff and likely keep Oregon out. But even if the Huskies lose in close fashion, their one-loss resume could still get them into the CFP, if they get some help via losses by other top teams.

Don't count out Washington yet. Senior quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (3,899 yards, 32 touchdowns and eight interceptions) and the Huskies could beat the Ducks again and force their way into the CFP field.

Alabama

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AUBURN, ALABAMA - NOVEMBER 25: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide looks on during warm up prior to the game against Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on November 25, 2023 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Somehow, Alabama always seems to find a way to impact the College Football Playoff picture. That's again the case in 2023, even though the Crimson Tide haven't looked nearly as strong as they have in recent years.

It's still possible Alabama could end up in the CFP field for the eighth time in 10 years. If the Crimson Tide defeat Georgia in the SEC Championship Game, they could be selected by the committee as a one-loss SEC champion.

Alabama has reeled off 10 straight wins since losing to Texas on Sept. 9, and it used a thrilling 27-24 Iron Bowl victory at Auburn this past Saturday to finish 8-0 in regular-season conference play. The Crimson Tide have a legitimate chance of competing with the Bulldogs this Saturday in Atlanta.

Not only would an Alabama win possibly send the Tide to the Playoff, but it could keep out Georgia, which may need to make a statement by capturing the SEC title.

Texas

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AUSTIN, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 24: Quinn Ewers #3 of the Texas Longhorns warms up before the game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 24, 2023 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

On Saturday, Texas will likely defeat Oklahoma State to become the Big 12 champion. That means the Longhorns would be 12-1, with their only loss being a 34-30 defeat vs. Oklahoma on Oct. 7.

It's possible Texas could have a strong enough resume to make the College Football Playoff for the first time. However, it may need some help in order for that to happen.

If any two of the three schools that have a chance to be an undefeated conference champion (Georgia, Michigan and Florida State) lose, it would potentially open the door for a team such as Texas to get into the CFP. At that point, the selection committee would have to consider the Longhorns as a possible Playoff team.

But before that can happen, Texas needs to take care of business in the Big 12 Championship Game. Oklahoma State (9-3) may have three losses, but it's coming off a double-overtime win vs. BYU and could shake up the CFP picture a bit itself.