Bowl Predictions 2014: Latest Projections for Top Matchups Entering Week 10
Week 9 of the college football season began with the promise of the College Football Playoff picture remaining stagnant, at least for a week. But on par with what has transpired all season long, we were sent for yet another loop entering Week 10.
After stepping up to the task in every game this season and emerging as the nation's third-ranked team, the Ole Miss Rebels couldn't continue their perfect 2014 on Saturday night. They fell on the road to No. 24 LSU, 10-7.
With a couple of one-loss SEC teams surging in Week 9, however, divisional foes are more than ready to step into that now-vacant CFP spot, with other conference contenders remaining very much in the hunt if the SEC's elite continue to take each other out.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Here's a look at the latest bowl predictions after Week 9 of the season.
| Championship Bowl | Jan. 12 | Arlington, Texas | Semifinal winners | Mississippi State vs. Florida State |
| Sugar Bowl | Jan. 1 | New Orleans, Louisiana | Semifinal | Mississippi State vs. Auburn |
| Rose Bowl | Jan. 1 | Pasadena, California | Semifinal | Florida State vs. Alabama |
| Cotton Bowl | Jan. 1 | Arlington, Texas | At-Large vs. At-Large | Ole Miss vs. Oregon |
| Orange Bowl | Dec. 31 | Miami, Florida | ACC vs. SEC/Big Ten/Notre Dame | Clemson vs. Notre Dame |
| Fiesta Bowl | Dec. 31 | Glendale, Arizona | At-Large vs. At-Large | Michigan State vs. TCU |
| Peach Bowl | Dec. 31 | Atlanta, Georgia | At-Large vs. At-Large | Georgia vs. East Carolina |
Projected CFP Field
Mississippi State
The Mississippi State Bulldogs just keep rolling through their brutal SEC slate and should they make it through the rest of it unscathed, there's no doubt they'll enter the CFP on top of the rankings.
They took Kentucky's best effort in Week 9 and rose above it, inking out a 45-31 win over the Wildcats on the road. The Bulldogs will take a perfect 7-0 record into a home contest against Arkansas before facing Alabama and Ole Miss in two of their last four games.
If quarterback Dak Prescott continues his Heisman Trophy campaign with these sorts of numbers, per ESPN College Football, Mississippi State should like its chances of running the table:
While in-state counterpart and fellow 2014 surprise Ole Miss faltered to LSU over the weekend, Mississippi State is showing no signs of slowing up. Even with a loss in one of their last two games, the Bulldogs could crack the CFP without even making it to Atlanta for the conference title game.
With the resume Mississippi State has amassed to this point, it would be hard to argue a tight loss to Alabama or Ole Miss would be a death blow to its CFP hopes.
Florida State
Florida State has seemingly passed its two biggest tests of the season by topping Clemson in overtime and Notre Dame in an instant classic, but the Seminoles' road to the CFP is not completely paved just yet.
With a win over Louisville on the road in Week 10, however, they'll begin to see the light.
After last season's undefeated championship run, Florida State is on an incredible tear, as told by Sports Illustrated's Stewart Mandel:
While the Seminoles' performance last season was unforgettable, that doesn't matter at all in 2014. But although Florida State isn't the dominant presence it was a year ago, it has shown with a victory over an elite Notre Dame team that it belongs in the CFP conversation.
Don't expect Florida State to fall from the CFP conversation anytime soon.
Alabama
Ever since questions swirled about Alabama's dynasty being over after a loss to Ole Miss and an ugly win over Arkansas, the Crimson Tide have responded like their reputation would suggest.
Nick Saban's crew has looked absolutely unbeatable in each of the last two weekends. The Tide smashed Texas A&M 59-0 before traveling to Tennessee to beat the Volunteers 34-20.
Alabama looked like it was slipping from the SEC West picture after Ole Miss and Mississippi State's emergence, but the Rebels' loss to LSU opened things up. One more Ole Miss loss (it still has the Egg Bowl to play), and the Tide control their own destiny to get to Atlanta.
Glenn Guilbeau of USA Today did point out one issue in Alabama's resume:
Alabama may not have the signature wins that other SEC West teams can boast, but it will soon have the opportunity to change that. The Crimson Tide have Mississippi State and Auburn left to play before the season is over.
Once those games are finished, we probably won't see more than two SEC teams cracking the CFP rankings. But with how Alabama has looked as of late, it should be expected to be one of the two.
Auburn
Auburn's defense has some serious issues that could prevent the Tigers from being national title contenders, but the offense continues to pick up the slack.
The Tigers secondary was gashed for over 400 passing yards by South Carolina quarterback Dylan Thompson, but a dominant offensive performance led the way to a 42-35 Auburn win over the Gamecocks in Week 9.
It was just the type of performance Auburn needed after falling to Mississippi State the last time out. The Tigers were shown nothing is going to be easy from here on out, but they also proved sticking to the offensive game plan can keep them in any game.
Auburn still needs two Mississippi State losses to open up a trip to Atlanta, but that could very well happen, as the Bulldogs play both Alabama and Ole Miss. However, a loss in the Iron Bowl could take Auburn out of the picture entirely.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
