College Football Playoff Standings 2013: Week 3 Rankings & Bowl Game Projections
Week 2 of the 2014 college football season is in the books, but at Bleacher Report we're always looking ahead. That's why bowl projections are full steam ahead.
Projections are based on an equal split between Week 2 results, what problems or questions those results answer and strength of schedule for the remaining season.
Here's how the two major Top 25 polls looked after Week 2. The following slides contain bowl projections heading into Week 3.
1. Florida State
2. Oregon
3. Alabama
4. Oklahoma
5. Auburn
6. Georgia
7. Texas A&M
8. Baylor
9. USC
10. LSU
11. Notre Dame
12. UCLA
13. Michigan State
14. Ole Miss
15. Stanford
16. Arizona State
17. Virginia Tech
18. Wisconsin
19. Kansas State
20. Missouri
21. Louisville
22. Ohio State
23. Clemson
24. South Carolina
25. BYU
1. Florida State
2. Alabama
3. Oklahoma
4. Oregon
5. Auburn
6. Georgia
7. Baylor
8. Texas A&M
9. LSU
10. USC
11. Notre Dame
12. UCLA
13. Michigan State
14. Arizona State
15. Ole Miss
16. Stanford
17. Wisconsin
18. Ohio State
19. Virginia Tech
20. Kansas State
21. Nebraska
22. Missouri
23. South Carolina
24. Clemson
25. North Carolina
Ben Kercheval is a lead writer for college football. All quotes cited unless obtained firsthand.
New Orleans Bowl
1 of 39
Dec. 20, New Orleans
Predicted Matchup: Louisiana-Lafayette (Sun Belt, No. 1) vs. Fresno State (Mountain West, No. 6)
It didn't register on most radars, but ULL's 48-20 loss to Louisiana Tech in Week 2 was one of the more surprising outcomes of the day. Perhaps it's a sign that Tech is a better team than previously thought, or that ULL isn't as good as previously thought. Maybe both.
Still, I like the Ragin' Cajuns in the Sun Belt and New Orleans will gladly take the local team. Fresno is off to an 0-2 start (and could be 0-3 after facing Nebraska) because of a tough nonconference schedule, but the Bulldogs rebound in Mountain West play.
Ultimately, the Bulldogs' passing attack wins them enough games, but defense is too much of a liability for ULL's own offense.
Matchup Type: Blowout
Projected Winner: Louisiana-Lafayette
New Mexico Bowl
2 of 39
Dec. 20, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Predicted Matchup: Colorado State (Mountain West, No. 4) vs. North Texas (Conference USA)
Colorado State isn't quite ready to climb the Mountain West ladder after losing to Boise State 37-24 in Week 2. Still, the Rams are headed in the right direction under head coach Jim McElwain.
North Texas relies on its defense and a running game to win and should be able to get enough victories in a weak Conference USA to go bowling. The Mean Green defense would keep the Rams offense in check, but on the flip side, North Texas doesn't have enough offense to keep pace with Colorado State's balanced attack.
Matchup Type: Nailbiter
Predicted Winner: Colorado State
Las Vegas Bowl
3 of 39
Dec. 20, Las Vegas
Predicted Matchup: Boise State (Mountain West, No. 1) vs. Arizona State (Pac-12, No. 6)
Boise State got back on the winning track against Colorado State and show that it's still one of the best teams, if not the best, in the Mountain West.
Arizona State is still nationally ranked, but no one may find out how good the Sun Devils really are until October. Does the new-look defense come together by then?
Boise State can hang with most teams so long as it plays mistake-free football, which it didn't do in a season-opening loss to Ole Miss. It would give Arizona State fits, but ultimately, the 2014 Broncos aren't your Kellen Moore/Chris Petersen Broncos.
Matchup Type: Nailbiter
Predicted Winner: Arizona State
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Idaho Potato Bowl
4 of 39
Dec. 20, Boise, Idaho
Predicted Matchup: Nevada (Mountain West, No. 3) vs. Bowling Green (Mid-American, No. 3)
Bowling Green didn't get off to a good start to the season, losing its first game to Western Kentucky. Then, the Falcons lost quarterback Matt Johnson for the year to a hip injury. Still, first-year coach Dino Babers inherits enough offensive playmakers to get to a bowl game.
But the defense could be a liability, and Nevada can do enough on that side of the ball to make crucial stops.
Matchup Type: Shootout
Predicted winner: Nevada
Camellia Bowl
5 of 39
Dec. 20, Montgomery, Alabama
Predicted Matchup: Louisiana-Monroe (Sun Belt, No. 3) vs. Central Michigan (MAC, No. 5)
As odd as it sounds for a MAC team, Central Michigan's nonconference schedule (Chattanooga, Purdue, Syracuse and Kansas) may be enough to help get it to a bowl game.
Louisiana-Monroe is already off to a 2-0 start and should have enough offensive firepower to win at least six games. And I would expect that to be the difference against an outmatched CMU squad whose deflated passing game could make an early deficit difficult to overcome.
Matchup Type: Blowout
Predicted Winner: Louisiana-Monroe
Miami Beach Bowl
6 of 39
Dec. 22, Miami
Predicted Matchup: Cincinnati (American Athletic Conference) vs. BYU
Here's the thing: BYU may very well be deserving of a bowl better than this (with apologies, Miami Beach). However, even one loss could spoil the Cougars' quest for a spot among one of the six prestigious bowls.
For safety purposes, we'll put BYU here for now.
And here's a fun stat: By the time Cincinnati plays its first game against Toledo on Friday, BYU will already have played three games. There's no way to determine how the Bearcats matchup in this game, but BYU quarterback Taysom Hill looks like he could be the best player on the field on any given week.
Matchup Type: Blowout
Predicted Winner: BYU
Boca Raton Bowl
7 of 39
Dec. 23, Boca Raton, Florida
Predicted Matchup: Florida Atlantic University (Conference USA) vs. Ball State (MAC)
Some bowl projections change from week to week. Not this one. FAU and Ball State lost in Week 2, but did nothing to make me believe they won't be in the postseason.
FAU does its best to stop Ball State's rushing attack in a somewhat low-scoring affair. That's a game that's going to benefit the Cardinals every time.
Matchup Type: Nailbiter
Predicted Winner: Ball State
Poinsettia Bowl
8 of 39
Dec. 23, San Diego
Predicted Matchup: Utah State (Mountain West) vs. Navy
This would easily be one of the more enticing "other" bowls between so-called non-power schools. Even though Utah State got slapped by Tennessee, it should still be one of the better teams in the Mountain West.
Interestingly enough, Utah State quarterback Chuckie Keeton isn't the difference here. Navy's triple-option offense can be difficult to stop, but Utah State has a good defensive line and linebackers group.
With time to prepare, the Aggies can stop the Midshipmen.
Matchup Type: Nailbiter
Predicted Winner: Utah State
Bahamas Bowl
9 of 39
Dec. 24, Nassau, Bahamas
Predicted Matchup: Toledo (MAC) vs. Louisiana Tech (Conference USA)
A win over Louisiana-Lafayette was a pleasantly surprising off-the-radar win for Louisiana Tech. The Bulldogs get back to a bowl and face Toledo, which was able to give Missouri some problems in Week 2. However, the Rockets will be without starting quarterback Phillip Ely for the remainder of the season because of a torn ACL.
Still, the Rockets' spread attack ultimately proves to be too much at the end of what is otherwise a close game.
Matchup Type: Nailbiter
Predicted Winner: Toledo
Hawaii Bowl
10 of 39
Dec. 24, Honolulu, Hawaii
Predicted Matchup: San Diego State (Mountain West) vs. Marshall (Conference USA)
Marshall is still untested and could remain untested for a majority, if not all, of the season. San Diego State lost a close one to North Carolina and showed it could hang with a school from a power conference.
Neither offense should have trouble scoring, but the Aztecs won't have an answer for Thundering Herd quarterback Rakeem Cato, the difference-maker in the game.
Matchup Type: Shootout
Predicted Winner: Marshall
Heart of Dallas Bowl
11 of 39
Dec. 26, Dallas
Predicted Matchup: Indiana (B1G, No. 8-9) vs. UT-San Antonio (Conference USA)
No change here from last week. This just feels like the year Indiana gets back to a bowl game. And while UTSA couldn't pull off the upset at home over Arizona, the Roadrunners are talented enough to breeze through the Conference USA West division.
The UTSA defense can slow down many teams, but Indiana is able to pull away late with its passing game.
Matchup Type: Nailbiter
Predicted Winner: Indiana
Quick Lane Bowl
12 of 39
Dec. 26, Detroit
Predicted Matchup: Minnesota (Big Ten, No. 8-9) vs. Pitt (ACC, No. 7-9)
Another bowl projection that stays the same from Week 2 to Week 3. The Panthers offense understandably went down a couple of notches in a win over Boston College. The Panthers' inability to protect quarterback Chad Voytik is a concern.
Still, this game could feature some big-play offense. Gophers tight end Maxx Williams is the difference-maker.
Matchup Type: Nailbiter
Predicted Winner: Minnesota
Bitcoin Bowl
13 of 39
Dec. 26, St. Petersburg, Florida
Predicted Matchup: East Carolina (American Athletic Conference) vs. Boston College (ACC, No. 10)
East Carolina may have lost to South Carolina in Week 2, but the Pirates still gave South Carolina just about all it could handle. The nonconference slate is tough for ECU, but once in conference play, this team should be able to open it up a bit more.
I like Boston College to make things interesting, especially at first. This is a game that, for a half or so, could see a lot of points exchanged. Eventually, though, ECU has the horsepower to pull away.
Matchup Type: Nailbiter
Predicted Winner: East Carolina
Military Bowl
14 of 39
Dec. 27, Annapolis, Maryland
Predicted Matchup: North Carolina State (ACC, Nos. 7-9) vs. Temple (American Athletic Conference)
Nothing changes here. If North Carolina State can win all of its nonconference games, it would need only two conference victories to go bowling. Meanwhile, Temple held tough with Navy, and that's not necessarily an easy task.
Temple's defense needs to force turnovers and contain quarterback Jacoby Harris. It can't do both and the Owls can't keep up.
Matchup Type: Nailbiter
Predicted Winner: North Carolina State
Sun Bowl
15 of 39
Dec. 27, El Paso, Texas
Predicted Matchup: Louisville (ACC, Nos. 3-6) vs. Arizona (Pac-12, No. 5)
No real change here, though North Carolina could also be an option from the ACC. Arizona understandably found itself in a battle with UT-San Antonio, a team that should be getting more recognition than it is. To come out with a win is no small feat.
Rich Rodriguez's Arizona team has enough talent—although its young at spots on offense—to win plenty of games. Louisville's defense, however, is good and disciplined enough to have success against the Wildcats spread attack. By this point, Cardinals head coach Bobby Petrino has worked wonders with the offense.
Matchup Type: Come from behind
Predicted Winner: Louisville
Independence Bowl
16 of 39
Dec. 27, Shreveport, Louisiana
Predicted Matchup: Miami (FL) (ACC, Nos. 7-9) vs. University of Texas El Paso (SEC, Nos. 9-10, Conference USA conditional)
UTEP may be on to something after giving Texas Tech a game in Week 2. Then again, El Paso is a Twilight Zone every week and strange things happen there.
The Miners manage to win six games and take a spot in the Independence Bowl that is normally reserved for a bottom-tier SEC team. Miami has a fairly disappointing season and is selected to go to Shreveport.
Still, the Hurricanes have running back Duke Johnson, whom UTEP can't stop.
Matchup Type: Sloppy nailbiter
Predicted Winner: Miami
Pinstripe Bowl
17 of 39
Dec. 27, Bronx, New York
Predicted Matchup: Syracuse (ACC, No. 3-6) vs. Maryland (Big Ten, No. 5-7)
The battle of former ACC members will take place in the Bronx between two teams that exceeded expectations. And Syracuse is a natural choice because of the in-state tie-in.
The Terps are able to stay healthy—finally—but a close win over South Florida creates some reservations about how good this team really can be. Still, they have enough offensive firepower to move past Syracuse with relative ease.
Matchup Type: Blowout
Predicted Winner: Maryland
Holiday Bowl
18 of 39
Dec. 27, San Diego
Predicted Matchup: UCLA (Pac-12, No. 3) vs. Wisconsin (Big Ten, No. 2-4)
It's becoming harder and harder to see UCLA as a legitimate playoff contender. In fact, the Bruins may be a middle-of-the-road Pac-12 South team the way this season is headed. But it seems like a natural choice for UCLA to end up in a regional bowl against a big-name opponent.
The Bruins offensive line is a major concern, though, and the Badgers are able to get pressure on quarterback Brett Hundley all night.
Matchup Type: Never in doubt
Predicted Winner: Wisconsin
Liberty Bowl
19 of 39
Dec. 29, Memphis, Tennessee
Predicted Matchup: Ole Miss (SEC, No. 3-8) vs. West Virginia (Big 12, No. 5)
A 54-0 win over Towson doesn't say much, but it does show that West Virginia can at least take care of its business. It couldn't say as much a year ago.
"It's rare to do that," Mountaineers coach Dana Holgorsen said about the shutout on Monday's Big 12 teleconference, adding that his starting defense played only about 30 snaps.
The Mountaineers appear to be better at every position and may finally have some depth on defense. Still, Ole Miss has the athletes to cover WVU's skill players, and that Rebels defensive line is a force.
Matchup Type: Nailbiter
Predicted Winner: Ole Miss
Russell Athletic Bowl
20 of 39
Dec. 29, Orlando, Florida
Predicted Matchup: Kansas State (Big 12, No. 3) vs. Clemson (ACC, No. 2)
The opening-week beatdown at the hands of Georgia appears to be behind Clemson, which didn't suffer a hangover in the slightest against South Carolina State. Still, Virginia Tech's win over Ohio State on the road could reshuffle the ACC pecking order.
And don't get too caught up in Kansas State's narrow win over Iowa State. The Cyclones are well coached and strange things have been known to happen in Ames. K-State will be ready for Auburn; whether or not the Wildcats win is another story.
K-State is capable of hanging with just about any team, but the Tigers have just enough big-play ability pull out the win.
Matchup Type: Nailbiter
Predicted Winner: Clemson
Texas Bowl
21 of 39
Dec. 29, Houston
Predicted Matchup: LSU (SEC, Nos. 3-8) vs. Oklahoma State (Big 12, No. 4)
A change at quarterback may not be a bad thing for Oklahoma State. The foot injury to starter J.W. Walsh likely—and "likely" is because head coach Mike Gundy rarely discusses injuries—means Daxx Garman will get the start going forward.
Berry Tramel of The Oklahoman has some reservations about Garman, but he acknowledges the young QB's physical upside:
"Daxx Garman is the short-term answer at quarterback for OSU. But I’m not ready to proclaim him the long-term answer. Even though Garman’s strong arm is what the Cowboys’ Air Raid offense needs, I need to see a little more from Garman. You know, like against a I-A opponent.
"
Whichever quarterback runs the Oklahoma State offense, the Cowboys should be fine. It's the defense that has shown up early and would be a difference-maker against a team like LSU, which is still trying to find its offensive identity.
Matchup Type: Nailbiter
Predicted Winner: Oklahoma State
Music City Bowl
22 of 39
Dec. 30, Nashville, Tennessee
Predicted Matchup: Mississippi State (SEC, Nos. 3-8) vs. North Carolina (ACC, Nos. 3-6)
No change here from Week 2. Mississippi State has a solid season but can't quite win the SEC West. A trip to nearby Nashville serves as a consolation prize. The Bulldogs and Tar Heels are capable of scoring points, but Mississippi State has a good enough defense to make the necessary stops.
Matchup Type: Blowout
Predicted Winner: Mississippi State
Belk Bowl
23 of 39
Dec. 30, Charlotte, North Carolina
Predicted Matchup: Florida (SEC, No. 3-8) vs. Duke (ACC, 3-6)
The Kurt Roper Bowl is in full effect. One season after leaving Duke to take over Florida's offense, Roper meets his old team in a bowl game.
The Gators defense is the ultimate difference-maker, but Florida shows enough progress on offense, thanks to Roper, to keep the margin of victory somewhat comfortable.
Matchup Type: Never in doubt
Predicted Winner: Florida
San Francisco Bowl
24 of 39
Dec. 30, Santa Clara, California
Predicted Matchup: Washington (Pac-12, No. 4) vs. Iowa (Big Ten, No. 5-7)
This is a bowl game between two teams that are incredibly perplexing and unpredictable. No one seems to have any idea why Washington and Iowa are the way they are.
Which means the San Francisco Bowl could either be the absolute best or absolute worst bowl game of the season.
The Huskies are actually capable of scoring points, so they get the edge.
Matchup Type: Ugly
Predicted Winner: Washington
Peach Bowl
25 of 39
Dec. 31, Atlanta
Predicted Matchup: Alabama (at-large) vs. Central Florida (group of five)
Alabama looks like a top-10 team, but it'll be interesting to see how the Tide hold up against a tough SEC West schedule. If the defense continues to give up passing yards, it could end up costing Alabama down the road.
UCF is good enough to be the highest-ranked "Group of Five" team, and the Peach Bowl is a good regional spot for the Knights. UCF comes out firing and makes Alabama sweat, but the Tide are too big, too capable for the Knights to win.
Matchup Type: Shootout
Predicted Winner: Alabama
Fiesta Bowl
26 of 39
Dec. 31, Glendale, Arizona
Predicted Matchup: Michigan State (at-large) vs. USC (at-large)
Despite the Oregon loss, Michigan State still looks like the class of the Big Ten even if it doesn't make it as one of the four playoff teams. USC is talented enough, but depth issues cause a hiccup down the road.
As the Spartans' young new-look defense matures, this could again become a dangerous team down the road. The Trojans will face them at the wrong time.
Matchup Type: Nailbiter
Predicted Winner: Michigan State
Orange Bowl
27 of 39
Dec. 31, Miami
Predicted Matchup: Virginia Tech (ACC) vs. Notre Dame (ACC/Independent)
If this projection came to fruition, it could be one of the best non-playoff games of the postseason.
Virginia Tech's defense did a great job exploiting Ohio State's weaknesses up front in a Week 2 win on the road. The Hokies look far more balanced than they have in recent years on offense as well.
And Notre Dame appears to have taken a big step forward this year with the return of quarterback Everett Golson, who looks like a completely new player. Golson's scrambling ability and improved passing skills are the difference, but Virginia Tech makes it way, way close.
Matchup Type: Nailbiter
Predicted Winner: Notre Dame
Cotton Bowl
28 of 39
Jan. 1, Dallas
Predicted Matchup: Baylor (at-large) vs. Auburn (at-large)
Congratulations, Vegas. Your over/under for points scored in the Cotton Bowl is officially infinity.
The Bears and Tigers are able to trade scoring drives like baseball cards, and while Baylor's defensive line is legit, Nick Marshall's legs are the difference in extending a couple drives. This game would be all kinds of fun, but Auburn has the edge.
Matchup Type: Shootout
Predicted Winner: Auburn
Capital One Bowl
29 of 39
Jan. 1, Orlando, Florida
Predicted Matchup: Texas A&M (SEC, No. 2) vs. Ohio State State (Big Ten, No. 2-4)
Texas A&M can and probably will score on everybody. The Aggies defense is young and insanely talented—it could be really good down the road—but it comes back to haunt A&M in a couple of games. Similarly, Ohio State has a weakness: protecting the quarterback.
The Buckeyes still have a good season, but O-line issues come up more than once and A&M's speed is too much for Ohio State to protect quarterback J.T. Barrett.
Matchup Type: Never in doubt
Predicted Winner: Texas A&M
Outback Bowl
30 of 39
Jan. 1, Tampa, Florida
Predicted Matchup: Penn State (Big Ten, No. 2-4) vs. South Carolina (SEC, No. 3-8)
Welcome back to the postseason, Penn State. Now that the NCAA sanctions against the program have been reversed, we're going to go ahead and assume head coach James Franklin can win at least six games. In fact, here's betting he wins a few more.
And against a South Carolina defensive front that can't get a push, Nittany Lions quarterback Christian Hackenberg throws for 500 yards. But he also makes a few costly mistakes that keep the Gamecocks around for the entire game.
Matchup Type: Nailbiter
Predicted Winner: Penn State
Armed Forces Bowl
31 of 39
Jan. 2, Fort Worth, Texas
Predicted Matchup: Houston (American Athletic Conference) vs. Army (Army/Big 12, No. 7)
Houston technically "rebounded" from an opening-week loss by beating Grambling State 47-0. The combination of quarterback John O'Korn and receiver Deontay Greenberry will be tough to stop throughout this year.
Army barely makes it back to a bowl and gets some points against Houston's defense. In the end though, the Cougars have too much to throw at the Black Knights.
Matchup Type: Blowout
Predicted Winner: Houston
TaxSlayer Bowl
32 of 39
Jan. 2, Jacksonville, Florida
Predicted Matchup: Missouri (SEC, No. 3-8) vs. Michigan (Big Ten, No. 5-7)
Despite the loss of a few key players from a year ago, there's still plenty to suggest Missouri can score a lot of points. The defense gave up some points against Toledo, but the Rockets are no slouch on offense, either.
Michigan would get selected because of its history with Florida bowls, but after the shutout loss to Notre Dame, the Wolverines look like they could still be a year away from really making an impact on the national scale.
If Michigan struggled against a dual-threat quarterback like Everett Golson, they could have problems with Missouri's Maty Mauk. The key will be for Mauk to play mistake-free football.
Matchup Type: Nailbiter
Predicted Winner: Missouri
Alamo Bowl
33 of 39
Jan. 2, San Antonio, Texas
Predicted Matchup: Texas (Big 12, No. 2) vs. Stanford (Pac-12, No. 2)
Stanford's loss to USC showed the Cardinal can still play a physical, grind-it-out football game. But, head coach David Shaw has to answer for offensive deficiencies that result in points left on the field. That could be a recurring theme for the season.
Similarly, Texas will likely navigate through the rest of the year relying on its defense. The Longhorns get six wins—barely after circling the wagons during the second half of the season.
The physical matchup in the trenches favors Texas' defensive line, but the Horns simply can't muster enough offense to get the job done.
Matchup Type: Blowout
Predicted Winner: Stanford
Rose Bowl
34 of 39
Jan. 1, Pasadena, California
Predicted Matchup: Oregon (CFP, No. 2) vs. Georgia (CFP, No. 3)
The Ducks manage to make it out of the Pac-12, with help from a win over Michigan State in nonconference play, and into the playoff. Georgia proves it really is the best team in the SEC with a surprise win over Auburn in the SEC title game.
Oregon shows, yes, it can be physical. As Lindsay Schnell of Sports Illustrated wrote, the victory over Michigan State was a statement dispelling the narrative of the Ducks being a finesse team if there ever was one. Georgia running back Todd Gurley gets his yards, but the Ducks force a few mistakes and capitalize quickly.
Matchup Type: Nailbiter
Predicted Winner: Oregon
Sugar Bowl
35 of 39
Jan. 1, New Orleans
Predicted Matchup: Florida State (CFP, No. 1) vs. Oklahoma (CFP, No. 4)
No change here. The Seminoles get through their ACC schedule to get into the College Football Playoff as the top seed. Oklahoma doesn't go undefeated, but wins the Big 12 and squeaks into the playoff as the final seed.
Oklahoma quarterback Trevor Knight is improved as a passer, but the Sooners don't have the receivers to beat Florida State's secondary. The game is never really in doubt even though Florida State doesn't blow Oklahoma out of the water.
Matchup Type: Never in doubt
Predicted Winner: Florida State
Cactus Bowl
36 of 39
Jan. 2, Tempe, Arizona
Predicted Matchup: Texas Tech (Big 12, No. 6) vs. Utah (Pac-12, No. 7)
The Red Raiders are one of the most penalized teams in the country with 25 flags through two games. That's part of the reason why Tech has gotten off to a tough start despite being 2-0. Utah returns to the postseason after a two-year absence.
Utah's defense makes it tough for Tech to pull away, but quarterback Davis Webb is again named the bowl MVP after making some big plays late.
Matchup Type: Never in doubt
Predicted Winner: Texas Tech
Birmingham Bowl
37 of 39
Jan. 3, Birmingham, Alabama
Predicted Matchup: Tulane (American Athletic Conference) vs. Tennessee (SEC, No. 9-10)
No change here from Week 1. Tennessee head coach Butch Jones has a young but talented team that finally gets the Vols back to a bowl game. Without a doubt, Jones has this program headed in the right direction.
Tulane gets back to the postseason but is no match for the Vols' talented roster. It's a respectable season for the Green Wave, but they don't have the horses to keep up with Tennessee and its big-play offensive weapons. The Vols defensive line goes to work as well.
Matchup Type: Blowout
Predicted Winner: Tennessee
GoDaddy Bowl
38 of 39
Jan. 4, Mobile, Alabama
Predicted Matchup: Akron (MAC) vs. Arkansas State (Sun Belt)
Akron held its own against Penn State and Arkansas State had Tennessee on notice for a while as well. These two teams with high expectations should air it out against one another.
Arkansas State is 2-1 in its last three GoDaddy Bowls and gets the edge over the Zips.
Matchup Type: Shootout
Predicted Winner: Arkansas State
College Football Playoff Championship
39 of 39
Jan. 12, Arlington, Texas
Predicted Matchup: Florida State (CFP No. 1) vs. Oregon (CFP No. 2)
It's all come down to this. The defending national champs again prove they are the best team on paper. The Ducks, however, have a narrative to shake. Oregon wants to show the college football world that someone from the Pac-12 can win a national championship.
And it does.
Oregon finds itself in a boxing match with the Seminoles. But, much like the Michigan State win, the Ducks weather the early storm and find a few big plays in the second half. Oregon's defense struggles with a downhill running attack but is able to limit quarterback Jameis Winston in the passing game. And forces the reigning Heisman winner into a crucial mistake.
Matchup Type: Nail-biter
Predicted Winner: Oregon
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