Bowl Predictions 2014: Full Projections for Top Games
College football's conference championship games take place this week, which means one thing: Bowl season is almost upon us. This is the time of year every team strives for and every fan impatiently anticipates.
The Bowl Championship Series has gone the way of the dinosaurs, so we're going to see some significant alterations in the system this year, as the inaugural College Football Playoff is set to commence. The New Year's Six comprise the more prestigious bowl games, and participating teams will be handpicked by the CFP selection committee on Sunday.
As we anxiously await the forthcoming conference championships and Selection Sunday, let's take a look at the teams that are most likely to face off in the six prominent bowl games and predict a winner for each.
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But first, here's a look at the current playoff odds and official rankings entering Week 15:
Allstate Sugar Bowl
Alabama vs. Baylor
Missouri's pass rush may give Alabama's offensive line some problems, but the Crimson Tide simply have too many weapons on both sides of the ball to suggest a loss to the Tigers. A victory over Missouri will propel Alabama to 12-1 on the season and solidify the team as the nation's No. 1 seed for the College Football Playoff.
Baylor is our surprise entrant here. Bryce Petty is set to take the field for the Bears, and Baylor's top-ranked scoring offense will be just too much for Kansas State to handle. Despite the win, Baylor will need some help to get in, and the team will get it.
Florida State has been squeezing past opponents, and the Seminoles will finally lose their first game of the season due to their inability to stop Georgia Tech's triple option and fall out of the Top Four. Ohio State will fall to Wisconsin without J.T. Barrett at the helm; Cardale Jones is talented, but he'll struggle against a tough Badgers defense.
When Alabama and Baylor meet, we'll see a clash between a great offense and a great defense. Petty will put up some points, but the Crimson Tide defense will keep the Bears offense in check just long enough to earn a tight victory.
Prediction: Alabama 34, Baylor 30
Rose Bowl Presented by Northwestern Mutual
Oregon vs. TCU
Oregon is cemented in the No. 2 position if Alabama wins on Saturday. The Ducks dismantled Arizona on Friday night thanks to another great performance by quarterback Marcus Mariota and some stout defensive play. Stewart Mandel of Fox Sports tweeted Oregon's impressive resume:
TCU has a cake game against hapless Iowa State on Saturday, and we should expect Trevone Boykin and Co. to manhandle the Cyclones with ease. A big win for the Horned Frogs will keep them at No. 3 overall and earn a berth in the Rose Bowl.
This matchup will be extremely exciting between two prolific offenses. While Boykin has been very impressive this season, the Ducks have stepped up on defense lately and will make it extremely difficult for TCU's signal-caller to keep up with Mariota.
Prediction: Oregon 38, TCU 27
Capital One Orange Bowl
Georgia Tech vs. Michigan State
After defeating Florida State, Georgia Tech earns a berth in the Orange Bowl. This team features a deadly triple option with dual-threat quarterback Justin Thomas at the helm, the pounding running style of Zach Laskey and the outside threat of DeAndre Smelter. Georgia's isn't an easy offense to contain.
Michigan State gets the nod following Ohio State's loss. The Spartans are done for the season, coming off a 34-10 victory over Penn State. Though the team lost to both Oregon and Ohio State this season, Michigan State boasts a solid defense and well-balanced offense.
Georgia Tech's triple option is dangerous, but with plenty of time to prepare, the Spartans will be ready for the attack. Expect Michigan State to slow down the Yellow Jackets just enough to allow Connor Cook and Co. to get enough points on the board to come away with a win.
Prediction: Michigan State 35, Georgia Tech 28
Vizio Fiesta Bowl
Boise State vs. Wisconsin
Boise State has quickly been one of the year's biggest surprises and currently leads the Mountain West Conference with a 10-2 record.
The Broncos have been riding their well-rounded offensive attack to dismantle opposing defenses, putting up at least 50 points in five of their last seven games. They'll continue that trend with a win over Fresno State and earn a trip to the Fiesta Bowl.
Wisconsin is about to become this year's Big Ten champion. The Buckeyes have been hit by a very unfortunate injury, as J.T. Barrett was lost for the season. Without the prolific quarterback in the fold, Ohio State will have an extremely difficult time keeping up with Badgers running back Melvin Gordon. The ball-carrier will lead Wisconsin to the conference title and a Fiesta Bowl appearance.
Just how good has Gordon been? This tweet from College GameDay sums it up nicely:
Though the Broncos certainly have a more versatile offense, they have yet to face a running back close to the talent level of Gordon. The Heisman hopeful will put up some gaudy numbers, keeping the Boise State offense on the sidelines and propel the Badgers to victory.
Prediction: Wisconsin 38, Boise State 27
Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl
Florida State vs. Mississippi State
After losing to Georgia Tech in the ACC Championship game, Florida State falls out of the Top Four and earns a trip to the Peach Bowl. This isn't a bad consolation prize, and the opportunity gives Jameis Winston and Co. a chance to redeem themselves in the national spotlight. After all, Winston didn't exactly finish the season in stellar fashion, via ESPN Stats & Info:
Mississippi State's dreams of entering the College Football Playoff were shattered after losing to Ole Miss, 31-17, in its regular-season finale. Like the Seminoles, Dak Prescott and the Bulldogs are looking for some redemption. They'll get their chance in the Peach Bowl.
Once again, Florida State's inconsistency comes back to haunt them. Prescott, Josh Robinson and De'Runnya Wilson from a formidable trio, and the Seminoles will be hard pressed to slow them down. Meanwhile, Winston hasn't looked capable of producing enough offense to keep up in a shootout, which will ensure Florida State's season ends with another loss.
Prediction: Mississippi State 34, Florida State 26
Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic
Arizona vs. Ole Miss
The Wildcats just did not look good against Oregon in the Pac-12 championship. They couldn't hang with Mariota out of the gate, allowing the quarterback to throw for two touchdowns and run for another three.
Meanwhile, Arizona's offense could barely muster 200 total yards. Still, finishing second in the conference afforded the team a berth in the Cotton Bowl.
Ole Miss finished off its season with a bang, trouncing Mississippi State. Quarterback Bo Wallace put together some big plays, but he's still very inconsistent, which could be an issue in the team's bowl game against a good Arizona pass rush.
If Jaylen Walton can't get it going on the ground against Arizona, Ole Miss won't stand a chance here. The Rebels have a solid defense, but Wallace is a liability under center. However, the Wildcats haven't looked great on offense recently, and they'll struggle even more against the Rebels.
Prediction: Ole Miss 24, Arizona 17
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