Projecting Every College Football Bowl Game Matchup After Week 3

Even though the college football season has just started, it is never too early to start talking about bowl projections.

With the way the season has started, things are playing out much differently than many expected, particularly with the upset losses that continue to happen.

While there is certainly still a long way to go, by now we have a good indication as to who may be going where when the season ends in less than three months.

Here are bowl projections for all 35 bowl games.

New Mexico Bowl: San Diego State vs. California

This game typically pits a Pac-12 team against somebody from the Mountain West and with the slow start California has had, they could be well on their way to this type of bowl game.

San Diego State hung tough with Washington and would be a challenge for California in this one.

The Bears could find themselves in a much better bowl game with a few surprise wins, but this could be their destination with how well the rest of the Pac-12 has done at the beginning of the season.

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Louisiana Tech vs. Northern Illinois

Even though the WAC is perhaps the weakest conference in America, Louisiana Tech proved they are bowl worthy by knocking off Houston in their first game of the season.

This game usually pairs the WAC with a team from the MAC and, in this case, it is Northern Illinois.

The Huskies have plenty of talent to finish in the top three of the MAC and have a very favorable schedule as they do not play Ohio and have Toledo at home.

Poinsettia Bowl: BYU vs. Fresno State

This game has BYU written all over it as they battle the No. 2 team from the Mountain West conference.

In this case, Fresno State will be the team they take on.

The Cougars are coming off a loss to Utah in a big time rivalry game, but still have plenty of talent to win eight or nine games. Fresno State is much improved from last season and quarterback Derek Carr is showing just how talented he is.

Beef O'Bradys Bowl: Southern Mississippi vs. Connecticut

Connecticut has looked better than expected to start the season and, even though Southern Miss was throttled in the season opener against Nebraska, the fact that around five teams from Conference USA make a bowl game bodes well for them.

The Huskies will likely finish in the middle of the Big East and if they do, they could find themselves in this bowl game.

Even with a challenging schedule, the Golden Eagles should be able to win seven games and get to a bowl game.

New Orleans Bowl: Louisiana-Monroe vs. Tulsa

The New Orleans Bowl pits the champion of the Sun Belt against a representative from Conference USA.

The way ULM has looked in the early going, they are the front runner to win the league and Tulsa appears to have plenty of talent to reach a bowl game.

This could be an interesting matchup, if it does happen between two evenly matched teams.

MAACO Bowl: Boise State vs. UCLA

Seemingly whenever Boise State does not go to a BCS Bowl game, this is where they end up as the champions of the Mountain West Conference.

UCLA will be the representative from the Pac-12 in this one, as they have looked rather impressive in the early part of the season.

The Bruins could be one of college football's biggest surprises as the season progresses.

Hawaii Bowl: Marshall vs. Utah State

Even though Marshall was dismantled at the hands of West Virginia, they still have enough talent to reach a bowl game.

Utah State on the other hand has been extremely impressive in the early going as they have taken down in-state rival Utah and nearly won at Wisconsin.

There is still a long way to go, but the Aggies could be one of the surprise teams in college football.

Little Caesars Bowl: Northwestern vs. Toledo

Northwestern is off to a 3-0 start after knocking off three teams from BCS Conferences. That is a feat not many teams can ever say three games into a college football season.

They are likely to lose a few in the Big Ten, but should have no problem qualifying for a bowl game.

Toledo is one of the best teams in the MAC and could very likely find themselves here when the bowl pairings come out.

Military Bowl: Iowa State vs. Utah

With Army a typical representative, usually against an ACC opponent, this is not the way it is going to go this season.

With North Carolina on probation, the ACC will likely not be able to fill all of their bowl spots and with the amount of talent in the Big 12, a team like Iowa State will be looking for a spot to fill.

The Utah Utes are one of the many teams who should finish around .500 in a muddled Pac-12 and if they do, could land in a bowl game like this one. A win over BYU was huge for the Utes over the weekend.

Belk Bowl: North Carolina State vs. Rutgers

This is the exact bowl game that North Carolina State found themselves in last year and there is a good chance that will be the case again this season.

Last year they took on Louisville and this season it could likely be Rutgers, as they appear to have a chance to finish second or third in the Big East.

This would be an interesting battle pitting a very talented defense against a quarterback who knows how to throw the ball around a little bit.

Holiday Bowl: Arizona State vs. Oklahoma State

Arizona State appears headed on their way to finish near the top of the Pac-12 with how they have performed in the early part of the season.

This bowl game is a matchup of the Pac-12 and the Big 12.

With how deep the Big 12 is this year, Oklahoma State could find themselves in this game, as the are likely to finish in the bottom half of the league.

Independence Bowl: Vanderbilt vs. Nevada

Nevada is one of the better teams in the Mountain West conference and they are going to likely take on an SEC member in the Independence Bowl.

For now the projection is Vanderbilt, but they are going to need to win six of their final 10 games to become bowl eligible.

That is not going to be easy to do in the SEC.

Russell Athletic Bowl: Notre Dame vs. Georgia Tech

Same game, different name this year for Notre Dame, as they are once again likely to be filling a Big East spot in the Russell Athletic Bowl, which was previously known as the Champs Sports Bowl.

Georgia Tech will finish near the top of the ACC and could likely find themselves in this game as they could finish near the top of the league.

Notre Dame will need 10 wins to qualify for a BCS bowl and if they do not get there, this is where they could end up.

Meineke Car Care Bowl: Iowa vs. Baylor

Even though they have only played two games, Baylor has looked rather impressive in the early going this season.

They are still not likely to finish near the top of the Big 12, but that does not mean they can not win seven or eight games.

Iowa has struggled at the beginning of the season, but should still have no problem getting to six wins and qualifying for a bowl game. If they do, this could be their likely destination.

Armed Forces Bowl: East Carolina vs. Air Force

Air Force is the likely choice to represent the Mountain West Conference in this one as they will take on a member of Conference USA.

East Carolina appears to be the likely choice at this point and while there is still a long way to go, there are plenty of games in conference that are very winnable for the Pirates.

This game just seems to fit Air Force well.

Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl: Navy vs. Washington

Navy is always slated to play in this one if they can get to the six wins necessary, and while that will not be easy to do, the schedule is very favorable.

The Washington offense has not been too impressive in the early part of the season and they have a brutal schedule over the next four weeks.

Still, six wins and a bowl game is very likely for the Huskies.

New Era Pinstripe Bowl: Texas Tech vs. Cincinnati

Even though Texas Tech is going to have their struggles in the Big 12, they will still be able to put together enough wins to qualify for a bowl game.

Cincinnati on the other hand could win as many as nine games, but is likely to finish behind Louisville and maybe Rutgers in the Big East.

This could be an interesting bowl matchup if it does take place.

Alamo Bowl: Stanford vs. Kansas State

Kansas State could find themselves in national championship talks if they can beat a few of the big names from the Big 12.

That will likely not be the case, but they could finish as high as third or fourth in the conference and play here or possibly in the Cotton Bowl once again.

Stanford knocked off USC over the weekend and there is a chance they could get to a BCS bowl game the way they are playing right now, but there is still a long way to go and some tough games ahead for the Cardinal.

Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl: Texas vs. Purdue

The Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl sounds enticing and with the Big 12 and Big 10 taking on one another, it could be just that.

Texas could finish higher up in the conference and play in one of the bigger bowl games, but they are likely still a year away.

With Ohio State not bowl eligible, Purdue is one of a handful of Big Ten teams who could find themselves in this one.

Music City Bowl: Texas A&M vs. Wake Forest

Texas A&M got a steady dose of what SEC play was like when they fell to the Florida Gators in their SEC opener.

Still, they were very competitive and will finish in the middle of the SEC.

Wake Forest played in this game last year and could find themselves right back here again in 2012, as they are off to a 2-1 start with a victory over North Carolina on their resume.

Sun Bowl: Virginia vs. Arizona

With the ACC and Pac-12 both having a legitimate shot to get two teams to BCS bowl games, this matchup will pit the fifth place team from each conference instead of the fourth, which is usually the case.

Arizona and Virginia are both off to fast starts, especially the Wildcats.

Virginia did struggle to knock off Penn State, but should have enough to finish in the top half of the conference and qualify for the Sun Bowl.

Liberty Bowl: Central Florida vs. Mississippi State

The Liberty Bowl will take the Conference USA winner against a member of either the Big East or the SEC, and with how depleted the Big East is talent-wise, a team like Mississippi State could be getting the call.

The Bulldogs may not finish in the top half of the league, but they are just as good or better than they were a season ago and should have no problem getting to six wins.

Central Florida held their own against Ohio State and looks to be the favorite in Conference USA.

Chick-fil-a Bowl: Virginia Tech vs. Tennessee

Tennessee appeared to finally be hitting their stride, but struggled at home against Florida and still might have a long way to go.

Quarterback Tyler Bray is one of the most talented in the league and the Vols offense is as good as it has been in recent memory.

Virginia Tech has a chance to win the ACC, but odds are they will finish behind Clemson and Florida State. Judging by their performance against Pittsburgh, they have a lot to work on.

TicketCity Bowl: Illinois vs. SMU

The Big Ten may have trouble filling all of their bowl spots, but it appears Illinois will get enough wins once again and could find themselves in the TicketCity Bowl.

SMU and head coach June Jones will be able to win their fair share of games in Conference USA and have one of the most talented teams in the league.

This one could be a close matchup if it happens.

Gator Bowl: Nebraska vs. Arkansas

Some may not have Arkansas even in bowl conversation, but if Tyler Wilson comes back healthy, they will be just fine and finish in the top half of the SEC.

The Cornhuskers have not lived up to expectations so far this season, but quarterback Taylor Martinez is one of the most dynamic in the country.

This one would be an excellent matchup if it took place.

Capital One Bowl: Georgia vs. Michigan

This annual battle pits the SEC and Big 10. The depth of the SEC is so strong, that Georgia, who is likely one of the top five teams in the country will not even be able to qualify for a BCS berth.

Michigan along with Michigan State is still the favorite to come out on top in the Big Ten, but if they do not win the league, this is likely the game they will end up in.

The Georgia defense against the Michigan offense would be something to watch.

Outback Bowl: South Carolina vs. Wisconsin

This is another annual matchup between the SEC and Big Ten. Even though Wisconsin has not started the season the way they anticipated, there is still enough talent to get to a New Year's Day bowl game. 

South Carolina has an outside shot to play for national championship, but with the talent in the SEC, they are likely to suffer a few losses.

The Gamecocks would likely have too much for Wisconsin in this one.

Cotton Bowl: TCU vs. Florida

Florida looks to be the real deal as they have come up with two huge road SEC wins the previous two weeks.

They could challenge for an even better bowl, but there is still a long way to go.

TCU will battle at the top of the Big 12, but is likely a step behind West Virginia and Oklahoma. Still, a third place finish in one of the best conferences in the country would not be that bad of a first season. 

BBVA Compass Bowl: Missouri vs. South Florida

Missouri will not likely find themselves in a bowl game that they were expecting to be entering the season.

The Tigers are not likely to finish in the top half of the SEC, but should still win six or seven games.

South Florida should finish around fourth in the Big East and will have their hands full in this one.

GoDaddy.com Bowl: Ohio vs. Arkansas State

The champion of the MAC plays in this one along with the second place team from the Sun Belt.

While Arkansas State is not what they were a year ago, they have plenty of talent to finish first or second in the Sun Belt.

Ohio appears to easily be the best team in the MAC and has a shot to not only win double-digit games, but also possibly run the table.

Rose Bowl: USC vs. Michigan State

As the odds on favorite at this point in the season to win the Big Ten, Michigan State will likely find themselves in the Rose Bowl even though there is still a lot of work to do.

USC will almost certainly either be here or playing for a national championship if they can take down Oregon and get some help.

This would be quite a battle with a high-flying offense against a stout defense.

Orange Bowl: Florida State vs. Louisville

Louisville is off to a very fast start as are the Florida State Seminoles and this could be a very interesting game. 

Of all the bowl games, it is one of the most likely to happen.

The quarterback battle between Teddy Bridgewater and E.J. Manuel would certainly be fun to watch. Florida State has national championship hopes on their mind as well.

Sugar Bowl: Alabama vs. Oklahoma

Alabama would certainly be disappointed if they found themselves in this game as they are looking ahead to the national championship.

Oklahoma will be in a battle with West Virginia and possibly a few other teams to win the Big 12. If they do not win the conference, this is where they might find themselves, particularly if they only have two losses.

Landry Jones against the Crimson Tide would be fun to watch.

Fiesta Bowl: West Virginia vs. Clemson

Dare we say, a rematch from last year's Orange Bowl? The winner of the Big 12 will take on an at large and Clemson may be the most likely to get that berth.

West Virginia appears unstoppable and Clemson has not been bad in the early part of the season.

Hopefully, the game is a little better than it was last season.

BCS National Championship: LSU vs. Oregon

This game will more than likely be the winner of the SEC against the winner of the Pac-12, and as of right now, LSU and Oregon are the picks.

The Tigers have LSU at home and if they win that one, they will be in the drivers seat to play for the national championship.

The USC loss puts Oregon in the drivers seat and they have the most explosive offense in the country. Should be quite a game.

Follow @AlexCallos