Complete Preseason 2015 Bowl and College Football Playoff Predictions
With just a few days before the return of the college football season, fans and analysts everywhere are locking in their preseason picks for the second playoff bracket and conference championships.
As we get closer to Thursday's kickoff of the FBS campaign, it's time to unveil some final bowl and playoff predictions for 2015.
After going through each schedule and tallying up bowl eligibility and tie-ins, the following slides contain potential matchups for all 40 postseason games set for later this year—including the New Year's Six and the College Football Playoff semifinals.
Many of these tie-ins are grouped into tiers by the conferences, so there isn't a respective order to the selections—standings don't necessarily matter for the standard bowl games. These predictions have been based on personal preference on what matchups would be the most entertaining, given the possibilities for each game.
Post your final College Football Playoff predictions and predict which bowl your favorite team is going to land this season in the comments below. Enjoy some of the final heated debates of the 2015 preseason.
New Mexico: Rice vs. New Mexico
1 of 40
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico (University Stadium)
Date: Dec. 19
Matchup: Conference USA vs. Mountain West
Let's open up these predictions with a welcome return to the postseason for a struggling program—New Mexico. Former Notre Dame head coach Bob Davie has 14 starters returning this year for the Lobos, who ranked fifth nationally in rushing yards per game last season.
With experience and a somewhat favorable schedule, New Mexico gets to basically play in an extra home game at the end of the season against Rice, which returns several offensive starters and should contend for Conference USA's West division.
Las Vegas: San Diego State vs. Utah
2 of 40
Location: Las Vegas (Sam Boyd Stadium)
Date: Dec. 19
Matchup: Mountain West vs. Pac-12 No. 6
Even though the Las Vegas Bowl hasn't been shy at all about picking the same Mountain West team—Boise State played in it from 2010 to 2012—MWC West favorite San Diego State takes a spot here instead of Colorado State to avoid a straight-up rematch with Utah from 2014.
Utah could make some noise in a loaded Pac-12 this season with the hard-running Devontae Booker and an experienced defense, but the Utes will have a tough hill to climb against the likes of Los Angeles and Arizona schools in the same division. Kyle Whittingham's team returns to Vegas for the postseason.
Camellia: Toledo vs. UL-Lafayette
3 of 40
Location: Montgomery, Alabama (Cramton Bowl)
Date: Dec. 19
Matchup: MAC vs. Sun Belt
Last year's inaugural Camellia Bowl was a fun, dramatic matchup between MAC power Bowling Green and rising Sun Belt squad South Alabama. Toledo—who will be without star Kareem Hunt for the first two games of 2015, per Mark Podolski of the News-Herald—has some issues to work out on defense but will contend for its first division title since 2004 this year.
UL-Lafayette has won nine games in all four of its seasons under head coach Mark Hudspeth and has a great chance to win the Sun Belt this season—but let's not automatically put the team in the New Orleans Bowl for the fifth straight year. Hunt vs. ULL running back Elijah McGuire would be a fun matchup of two talented Group of Five running backs. Change it up, Sun Belt.
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Cure: East Carolina vs. Appalachian State
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Location: Orlando, Florida (Citrus Bowl Stadium)
Date: Dec. 19
Matchup: American No. 7 vs. Sun Belt
One of the two new bowls for the 2015 season could feature a new member of the postseason party—Appalachian State, which is entering its second season as a member of the Sun Belt. The former FCS powerhouse could field up to 20 returning starters this year and was one of the nation's hottest teams late last season, winning its final six games.
East Carolina must replace most of its offensive firepower and ace coordinator Lincoln Riley this season, but the Pirates are still a safe bet to make it back to the postseason for the fourth straight year. The top two Group of Five programs in the state of North Carolina would make for an intriguing matchup down in Florida.
New Orleans: UTEP vs. Arkansas State
5 of 40
Location: New Orleans (Mercedes-Benz Superdome)
Date: Dec. 19
Matchup: Conference USA vs. Sun Belt
UTEP made its return to the postseason in 2014 and will be looking to do the same in 2015 behind the leadership of running back Aaron Jones and breakout linebacker Alvin Jones. The New Orleans Bowl wouldn't be too far of a trip for the UTEP faithful.
This bowl game traditionally features the top team in the Sun Belt, and Arkansas State may have the best chance for conference success in 2015. The Red Wolves will be battle-tested with early games against USC and Missouri, and first-team All-Sun Belt quarterback Fredi Knighten is one of 15 returning starters back from a team that can and will put up plenty of points.
Miami Beach: UCF vs. Kentucky*
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Location: Marlins Park (Miami)
Date: Dec. 21
Matchup: American vs. Conference USA*
George O'Leary has only nine starters returning from his 9-4 Knights team from last season—one that had three last-second victories. Still, with a strong defensive line and returning starters at quarterback and running back, UCF should go bowling yet again this year.
The Knights would draw a surprising team in this matchup with Kentucky, which is more than ready to make its big breakthrough in 2015. The Wildcats return 14 starters from a 5-7 team and should only improve on the offensive side of the ball this year. Look for Kentucky to get that magic sixth win, snatch a spot from a middle-of-the-road Conference USA team and head to Miami.
Potato: Ball State vs. Colorado State
7 of 40
Location: Boise, Idaho (Bronco Stadium)
Date: Dec. 22
Matchup: MAC vs. Mountain West
Pete Lembo's surprising run of results at Ball State came crashing down last season when the Cardinals went 5-7 and missed the postseason. With almost all of his starters back on offense for 2015 and a favorable conference schedule, Ball State should nab one of the MAC's bowl bids this fall.
It's hard to imagine Colorado State getting 10 wins again this season, but the Rams should go bowling in Mike Bobo's first season thanks to the experience on defense and the presence of all-world receiver Rashard "Hollywood" Higgins on the outside. Enjoy the sight of the nation's No. 1 returning receiver (probably) capping his collegiate career with a monster game on Boise's blue turf.
Boca Raton: Temple vs. Bowling Green
8 of 40
Location: Boca Raton, Florida (FAU Stadium)
Date: Dec. 22
Matchup: American vs. MAC
Temple just missed out on bowling last season with a 6-6 campaign, but one of the nation's most experienced teams—19 returning starters—should grab a bid this season. The player to watch in this one is Owls senior linebacker Tyler Matakevich, who is looking to be the seventh defender in FBS history to record 100 tackles in all four of his collegiate seasons, according to the Associated Press.
Out of the MAC, Bowling Green is the East division favorite again this season after clinching the title in 2014. Almost every member of the offense returns for Dino Babers' second season, and the Falcons will be plenty tested after playing Tennessee, Maryland and Memphis to start the year.
Poinsettia: Northern Illinois* vs. Utah State
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Location: San Diego (Qualcomm Stadium)
Date: Dec. 23
Matchup: Army* vs. Mountain West
Army has an automatic bid to the Poinsettia Bowl this season, but I don't see the Black Knights making the cut in 2015. In Army's place, the Poinsettia Bowl chooses MAC power Northern Illinois to set up a rematch of a tight contest against Utah State in 2013.
Northern Illinois quarterback Drew Hare, who was one of the nation's most underrated dual-threat weapons last season, will hopefully go head-to-head with Utah State senior Chuckie Keeton in this one. As Holly Anderson of Grantland noted earlier this offseason, the nation's favorite and oft-injured Group of Five quarterback "has been at Utah State so long that his first head coach at the college level is now two jobs removed from Logan."
GoDaddy: Western Michigan vs. Georgia Southern
10 of 40
Location: Mobile, Alabama (Ladd-Peebles Stadium)
Date: Dec. 23
Matchup: MAC No. 1 vs. Sun Belt
It may be risky to pick Western Michigan to win the MAC over the likes of Toledo, Bowling Green and Northern Illinois, but P.J. Fleck has a massive amount of established offensive talent "rowing the boat" in Kalamazoo. The Broncos return a 3,400-yard passer, a 1,500-yard rusher, a 1,400-yard receiver and another receiver that just missed out on a 1,000-yard season in 2014.
With that in mind, let's match up Western Michigan with a completely different type of high-powered offense—Georgia Southern's option attack that led the nation in rushing yards a season ago. Georgia Southern went undefeated in the Sun Belt last season but was ineligible for the postseason. This year, expect the Eagles to run all over teams and get to a fun bowl game.
Bahamas: Middle Tennessee vs. Akron
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Location: Nassau, Bahamas (Thomas Robinson Stadium)
Date: Dec. 24
Matchup: Conference USA vs. MAC
It's going to be hard to top the insane ending to the inaugural Bahamas Bowl, when Central Michigan pulled off an unbelievable, multilateral Hail Mary as time expired—but lost on a failed two-point conversion. Taking the place of victorious Western Kentucky here is an experienced Middle Tennessee team, which should grab an extra win after going 6-6 last season and missing a bowl game.
Out of the MAC, Akron has an extremely favorable schedule—the Zips avoid Northern Illinois, Toledo, Western Michigan and Ball State out of the West—and should have a good shot at getting to its first bowl in a decade. Also, sending Terry Bowden to the Bahamas for the holidays is just a delightful thought.
Hawaii: Cincinnati vs. BYU
12 of 40
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii (Aloha Stadium)
Date: Dec. 24
Matchup: American vs. BYU or Mountain West
Fans of great quarterbacks will be able to open a Christmas present a few hours early with this matchup on Dec. 24. Former 5-star quarterback Gunner Kiel and Cincinnati, perhaps the favorite in the American, would head out to Hawaii for a major showdown with Taysom Hill and BYU.
A healthy Hill has already proven to be one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the country, and he'll be looking to go out on top after battling through a tough 2015 schedule. BYU and Cincinnati are two of the best non-Power Five teams in college football, and matching them up the night before Christmas sounds like something out of a storybook.
St. Petersburg: Memphis vs. Western Kentucky
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Location: St. Petersburg, Florida (Tropicana Field)
Date: Dec. 26
Matchup: American vs. Conference USA
Although it's not the same level of a quarterback duel as Kiel vs. Hill in the Hawaii Bowl, this matchup between Memphis and Western Kentucky would feature powerful 6'7" ace Paxton Lynch against Air Raid leader Brandon Doughty.
Lynch and Memphis will be out to prove last year's 10-win season wasn't a fluke—and that it can finish this year's bowl game without being involved in a massive brawl. Doughty and Western Kentucky will push Marshall hard for the Conference USA title this season with its high-powered offense and experienced defense. You wouldn't sleep on this Boxing Day showdown.
Sun: Louisville vs. Arizona
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Location: El Paso, Texas (Sun Bowl Stadium)
Date: Dec. 26
Matchup: ACC vs. Pac-12 No. 5
Louisville is an intriguing team heading into the season, as it has the talent to replace a huge amount of turnover from a squad that had the second-most players taken in the NFL draft. One thing is for sure, though—Bobby Petrino's Cardinals will have a wide-open offense that could be especially entertaining in a bowl game.
This Sun Bowl against Rich Rodriguez's Arizona team would be a fun matchup of offensive-minded coaches. The defending Pac-12 South champions could defend their title in 2015 behind Anu Solomon, Scooby Wright and several returning playmakers, but the Wildcats' big season looks more likely for 2016. They battle it out in an even division and take on a fellow Power Five opponent here.
Heart of Dallas: Kansas State vs. Marshall
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Location: Dallas (Cotton Bowl Stadium)
Date: Dec. 26
Matchup: Big 12 No. 7 vs. Conference USA
Experts are somewhat down on Kansas State this year, despite the fact the Wildcats return 12 starters and the seemingly immortal Bill Snyder continues to defy expectations in his second run with the program. The amount of unknown quantities on offense, though, slots K-State at No. 7 in the Big 12. (This will almost certainly be wrong because of, well, Snyder.)
The Conference USA champion gets to pick its bowl game, and I'll say titleholder Marshall will be able to cruise through its ultra-soft schedule again. The Thundering Herd pick the Conference USA's lone bowl bid with a Power Five opponent, and they look to prove how tough they really are behind the legs of big-play running back Devon Johnson.
Pinstripe: Virginia Tech vs. Maryland
16 of 40
Location: Bronx, New York (Yankee Stadium)
Date: Dec. 26
Matchup: ACC vs. Big Ten
Virginia Tech is becoming a trendy contender in what looks like another wide-open ACC Coastal Division this season. While the experienced offense needs to show immense improvement, the Hokies' defense could be one of the best in the country with a fierce defensive line and one of the nation's best corners in Kendall Fuller. This year, I'm banking on the Hokies to improve and lock down one of the ACC's Tier 1 bowls.
On the other half of this matchup, Maryland rides a wave of recruiting momentum to become bowl eligible for a third straight season, even with a very young offense and some question marks in the passing game. The Terps build for 2016 and beyond with a bowl game at Yankee Stadium.
Independence: Pittsburgh vs. Mississippi State
17 of 40
Location: Shreveport, Louisiana (Independence Stadium)
Date: Dec. 26
Matchup: ACC vs. SEC
This would be one of the better matchups of offensive stars in the December bowls. Pittsburgh has a rock in the backfield with junior James Conner, and Tyler Boyd is one of the nation's best go-to receivers heading into the 2015 season. With a Pat Narduzzi defense, the Panthers could shock some people this year.
Mississippi State looks like the unfortunate bottom team in a stacked SEC West this season due to a lack of established starters, but senior quarterback Dak Prescott is a Heisman-caliber force, especially with the 6'5" De'Runnya Wilson on the outside. While the Indy Bowl is usually overlooked, this one would grab some attention due to the star power.
Foster Farms: Nebraska vs. Arizona State
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Location: Santa Clara, California (Levi's Stadium)
Date: Dec. 26
Matchup: Big Ten vs. Pac-12 No. 4
Mike Riley should have the Cornhuskers rolling in his first season in Lincoln. With 12 returning starters, Nebraska will be a contender in the Big Ten West, but switching to a new offensive and defensive system may prevent the program from reaching one of the conference's Tier 1 bowls.
Nebraska's De'Mornay Pierson-El would be a fantastic counter to the explosiveness and experience of Arizona State out of the Pac-12 South. Like the Huskers, the Sun Devils will contend, although a tough schedule could prevent it from becoming a serious player in the College Football Playoff race. Riley's Oregon State team knocked off Arizona State in 2014, adding another layer to this intriguing matchup.
Military: Navy vs. Miami (Florida)
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Location: Annapolis, Maryland (Navy-Marine Corps Stadium)
Date: Dec. 28
Matchup: American vs. ACC
The American Conference has a bid to the Military Bowl in its top tier this season, so placing Navy at a virtual home bowl game makes too much sense here. This would be the end to a record-breaking career for Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds as the Midshipmen will complete their first AAC season in a fourth straight postseason contest.
Miami's season—and Al Golden's job security—could go plenty of ways in 2015, but I think Miami doesn't have quite enough to push into a Tier 1 bowl out of the ACC. Brad Kaaya and the Miami defense would make for an interesting matchup with a service academy like Navy, and they will already have experience facing an option offense with Atlantic foe Georgia Tech.
Quick Lane: NC State vs. Indiana
20 of 40
Location: Detroit (Ford Field)
Date: Dec. 28
Matchup: ACC vs. Big Ten
NC State returned to the postseason last year after 2013's 3-9 stumble, and the Wolfpack have plenty of returning talent for the upcoming season. Unfortunately, life in the Atlantic Division looks to be quite difficult behind Clemson, Florida State and Louisville, and they also pick up Virginia Tech out of the Coastal. Even with all that experience, Dave Doeren's team looks like it will miss out on a Tier 1 bowl for the ACC.
Indiana, on the other hand, would be elated with a bowl appearance of any kind this season. The Hoosiers have a manageable nonconference schedule and will be able to pick up wins at the end of the Big Ten year. With UAB transfer Jordan Howard taking over for Tevin Coleman, the Hoosiers return to a bowl game for the first time since 2007.
Arizona: Louisiana Tech vs. Fresno State
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Location: Tucson, Arizona (Arizona Stadium)
Date: Dec. 29* (tentative)
Matchup: Conference USA vs. Mountain West
This bowl should receive a giant asterisk beside it, because no one knows for sure what it will be just yet. According to Stewart Mandel of Fox Sports, this "Mountain West-Conference USA game had not announced the date, location or title sponsor. Small details."
But if the matchup goes ahead and happens, let's pit a pair of blue-and-red Bulldogs out of these two conferences in Louisiana Tech and Fresno State. Both squads won their respective divisions last season, and they'll be contenders to repeat in 2015. Keep an eye on wherever LA Tech ends up this postseason, as it will be the final chapter for what has been a tumultuous career for former Florida quarterback Jeff Driskel.
Armed Forces: Iowa vs. Air Force
22 of 40
Location: Fort Worth, Texas (Amon G. Carter Stadium)
Date: Dec. 29
Matchup: Big Ten vs. Mountain West
Where Iowa fits on the spectrum of Big Ten West candidates is a little tricky, but the amount of offensive firepower heading into 2015 should put the Hawkeyes firmly behind Wisconsin and Nebraska. Iowa will hang around the .500 mark and slide into the Big Ten's lowest bowl tie for the upcoming season.
Air Force is a perfect fit for the Armed Forces Bowl yet again, as the Falcons played it back in 2009 and 2012. A defensive rebuild and a new starting quarterback will most likely keep the Falcons from competing for a division title, but they have the weaponry to soar back into the postseason.
Russell Athletic: Notre Dame* vs. Oklahoma State
23 of 40
Location: Orlando, Florida (Florida Citrus Bowl)
Date: Dec. 29
Matchup: ACC No. 2* vs. Big 12 No. 3
Perhaps the most controversial spot in these predictions is where I have slotted Notre Dame—outside of the College Football Playoff and the New Year's Six bowls. While Notre Dame's returning talent should make the Irish a contender, I don't see them getting out of the regular season with fewer than two or three losses, and the committee will instead turn elsewhere for at-large bids.
The Irish will take the ACC's top non-playoff spot to face Oklahoma State, who should be on an upswing this season. The Cowboys are just behind the big three of Baylor, TCU and Oklahoma in the Big 12, but they will still play in a big-time matchup against one the nation's most popular programs.
Texas: West Virginia vs. LSU
24 of 40
Location: Houston (NRG Stadium)
Date: Dec. 29
Matchup: Big 12 No. 4 vs. SEC
West Virginia already messed up a contender's season in 2014 by knocking off Baylor, and the Mountaineers could definitely do it again. With a veteran defense and an always-entertaining defense under Dana Holgorsen, I look for West Virginia to emerge as the top Big 12 program outside of the big three and Oklahoma State.
Better quarterback play could unlock some major championship buzz for LSU, which is loaded with young and exciting talent all over the field. But the issues under center and some depth issues on defense make me lean toward more of a 9-3 season in Baton Rouge. Seeing these two rabid fanbases get together again would be incredible, and that's why I've slotted the Tigers and the Mountaineers here.
Birmingham: Houston vs. South Carolina
25 of 40
Location: Birmingham, Alabama (Legion Field)
Date: Dec. 30
Matchup: American vs. SEC
Houston is built to contend and win in the American's West division this season under first-year head coach Tom Herman. With several top playmakers back on both sides of the ball, the Cougars should grab one of the conference's top bowl bids and take on a Power Five opponent.
That Power Five opponent, in this case, would be South Carolina—one of the nation's most puzzling teams in the preseason. The Gamecocks need wholesale improvement on the defensive side of the ball, and the jury is still out on if unproven quarterback Connor Shaw can get Steve Spurrier's offense clicking again. Look for the Gamecocks to just qualify for a bowl game again this year, especially with a tough road schedule.
Belk: Georgia Tech vs. Arkansas
26 of 40
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina (Bank of America Stadium)
Date: Dec. 30
Matchup: ACC vs. SEC
This Belk Bowl would be a showdown between two teams that have potential to contend in their respective conferences and a commitment to pounding the ball on the ground. Georgia Tech will most likely fall just short of another New Year's Six bid with its daunting schedule, but it should still be in for one of the ACC's better bowl games this year.
While the Yellow Jackets will use speed and strength with its option offense, Arkansas will look smash defenses into submission with brute force on the ground. Even if they fall short of their big goals for the year, Georgia Tech and Arkansas would still make for quite an entertaining—and quick—postseason matchup.
Music City: North Carolina vs. Texas A&M
27 of 40
Location: Nashville, Tennessee (LP Field)
Date: Dec. 30
Matchup: ACC vs. SEC
While Georgia Tech-Arkansas will look to run the ball right at you, North Carolina-Texas A&M would be just fine putting up quick points through the air. North Carolina has dual-threat quarterback Marquise Williams and nine other returning starters on offense to go along with a defense that ranked No. 120 nationally last season.
Texas A&M's offense should be deadly again this season under Kevin Sumlin with Kyle Allen and a loaded crop of wide receivers. The Aggies, too, needed major help on defense, and they have a new coordinator with plenty of SEC experience. Depending on how well Gene Chizik and John Chavis do with their respective units this season, this could either be a fantastic, balanced game or a ridiculous shootout. Either way, it'd be one to watch.
Holiday: Penn State vs. Stanford
28 of 40
Location: San Diego (Qualcomm Stadium)
Date: Dec. 30
Matchup: Big Ten vs. Pac-12 No. 3
With a solid offensive line, Christian Hackenberg could have a huge campaign for Penn State in James Franklin's second year with the program. The defense has several top returning players, including beastly defensive tackle Anthony Zettel, and the schedule is favorable outside of road games against Michigan State and Ohio State.
I peg the Nittany Lions to get to a good bowl against Stanford, another team that should bounce back offensively this season. Kevin Hogan has had plenty of success with the Cardinal, and it's hard to worry too much about a Stanford defense that is having to reload. Hackenberg and Hogan would be another fun quarterback duel between two teams looking for big, double-digit win seasons in 2015.
Outback: Michigan vs. Tennessee
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Location: Tampa, Florida (Raymond James Stadium)
Date: Jan. 1
Matchup: Big Ten vs. SEC
Before we get to the massive New Year's Six and College Football Playoff games, let's wrap up the rest of the bowl games by starting with Michigan's return to the postseason. With bowl eligibility, the Wolverines would be a high Tier 1 pick in the Big Ten, and a New Year's Day game makes perfect sense for the national draw that is Jim Harbaugh.
On the other side of the matchup is another traditional power looking to make the jump back into title contention. Tennessee will be a major player in the SEC East race, especially with all the talent it has coming back on both offense and defense. While I predict the Vols will fall just short of a SEC East title and a New Year's Six bid, they'll grab plenty of attention with a Jan. 1 bowl.
Citrus: Wisconsin vs. Ole Miss
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Location: Orlando, Florida (Citrus Bowl Stadium)
Date: Jan. 1
Matchup: Big Ten vs. SEC No. 2
While the traditional powerhouses clash in the Outback Bowl, the Citrus Bowl would pit two teams just on the outside of contention in the College Football Playoff race. Even with a new head coach and a new top running back, Wisconsin is set up for another Big Ten West title run and should have a strong record, as it avoids both Ohio State and Michigan State in its conference schedule.
Ole Miss should be loaded again after its run to the New Year's Six last year, but its conference schedule—both Alabama and Auburn on the road—might put them on the outside of the big games this season. Still, the Land Shark defense should be a fierce matchup for a power-running team, and the Rebels will be plenty familiar with those heading into a major clash like this one.
TaxSlayer: Minnesota vs. Florida
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Location: Jacksonville, Florida (EverBank Field)
Date: Jan. 2
Matchup: Big Ten vs. SEC
Compared to the Outback and Citrus bowls, the TaxSlayer Bowl usually has lower-ranked teams out of the Big Ten and the SEC. Minnesota fits that description, as the Golden Gophers should contend in the Big Ten West but have several questions about its offensive weapons for junior quarterback Mitch Leidner.
Florida's offense has its own questions, particularly on the line, but I fully expect the Gators to achieve bowl eligibility this season under first-year head coach Jim McElwain. The defense should make them a solid second-tier team in the SEC as they prepare to contend for titles again after the failed tenure of Will Muschamp. Think of this season and this bowl as a steppingstone, Florida fans.
Liberty: Texas vs. Missouri
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Location: Memphis, Tennessee (Liberty Bowl)
Date: Jan. 2
Matchup: Big 12 No. 5 vs. SEC
Texas' move to a fast-paced spread offense should only benefit quarterback Tyrone Swoopes, who was officially named the starter Monday for the Longhorns, per 247Sports' Chris Hummer. With a transitioning offense and a young defense, Texas should have a few more growing pains under Charlie Strong but still nail down a bowl spot.
This Liberty Bowl would pit Texas with an old Big 12 rival in Missouri, who will most likely see its run of SEC East titles come to an end this season. The Tigers have an experienced quarterback in Maty Mauk and some top linebackers, but a completely rebuilt defensive line and receiving corps will be too much. Missouri still snags a January bowl.
Alamo: Oklahoma vs. USC
33 of 40
Location: San Antonio (Alamodome)
Date: Jan. 2
Matchup: Big 12 No. 2 vs. Pac-12 No. 2
Two powerhouse names who fall just shy of New Year's Six bids would collide here. Oklahoma should challenge Baylor and TCU for the top spot in the Big 12, but too many question marks—quarterback play, new offensive system and defensive woes—right now about the Sooners prevent me from picking them to top either the Bears or the Horned Frogs in the final standings.
I believe the Pac-12 South title will come down to the USC-UCLA game at the end of the season, and while the Trojans have home-field advantage, the overall experience of the Bruins, along with a gradually improving Josh Rosen in his first season, make them my division favorites. The Trojans miss out on the Pac-12 title game and take the league's top non-New Year's Six spot in the postseason.
Cactus: Texas Tech vs. California
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Location: Phoenix, Arizona (Chase Field)
Date: Jan. 2
Matchup: Pac-12 No. 7 vs. Big 12 No. 6
Both of these programs have high-powered, air-it-all-the-way-out offenses and defense that were downright abysmal in losing seasons last year. With their potential for 2015 and respective placing in their conferences, Texas Tech and Cal are perfect for this game.
Cal quarterback Jared Goff is a top pro prospect who will challenge the improvement of a Texas Tech defense that returns eight starters but gave up 82 points to TCU last season. Kliff Kingsbury has nine returning offensive starters on his hands against a veteran Cal defense that allowed 527 passing yards to Washington State. This one could break so many offensive bowl records.
Peach: Florida State vs. Georgia
35 of 40
Location: Georgia Dome (Atlanta)
Date: Dec. 31
Matchup: At-Large vs. At-Large
Even with the massive amount of turnover on offense and a few issues of depth, Florida State should still contend for another ACC championship again this season. The question marks on the offensive line, though, and the two road games against Clemson and Georgia Tech put the Seminoles at another season of double-digit wins—but not a national title push.
The Seminoles would line up in the New Year's Six against Georgia, the favorite to win the SEC East. With Nick Chubb and an experienced offensive line, the Bulldogs should be able to hang with any team in the country, but they still look third-best in the SEC behind the Alabama duo. Still, a second year for improvement under defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt—a former Florida State assistant—makes this an incredible matchup of regional powers in Atlanta.
Sugar: TCU vs. Auburn
36 of 40
Location: New Orleans (Mercedes-Benz Superdome)
Date: Jan. 1
Matchup: Big 12 vs. SEC (non-playoff)
In the back-and-forth debate between TCU and Baylor for the Big 12 title, the lack of experience in several areas on defense for the Horned Frogs—especially at linebacker—is concerning. Even though TCU will have home-field advantage, I lean toward the front-to-back experience and overall depth of Baylor in the Big 12 race. (TCU also has to play Oklahoma away from home, which could spoil the undefeated vs. undefeated rematch.)
Auburn is in a similar position when compared to its main rival. The Tigers, like TCU, should be scary good on offense, but some depth issues and an additional lack of success on defense make them a tiny notch below Alabama in the SEC West race. With their rivals slightly edging them for the playoff, Auburn and TCU square off in New Orleans for a star-studded matchup on New Year's Day.
Rose: Michigan State vs. UCLA
37 of 40
Location: Pasadena, California (Rose Bowl)
Date: Jan. 1
Matchup: Big Ten vs. Pac-12 (non-playoff)
Michigan State should be favored in every one of its games this season other than the matchup against defending national champion Ohio State. The Spartans' strength in the trenches and leadership from quarterback Connor Cook might make them one of the best one-loss teams in a long time by season's end.
I expect the Pac-12 to basically beat itself up in 2015, leaving a pair of two-loss but New Year's Six-bound teams at the end of the league's championship game in December. To avoid a rematch with Michigan State, UCLA grabs the Rose Bowl spot from Oregon and takes on the Spartans on the 50th anniversary of the two schools' classic matchup in the 1966 Rose Bowl. That's what you call perfect timing.
Fiesta: Boise State vs. Oregon
38 of 40
Location: Glendale, Arizona (University of Phoenix Stadium)
Date: Jan. 1
Matchup: At-Large vs. At-Large
Boise State is the runaway favorite to grab the Group of Five's bid into the big New Year's Six party. The Broncos have plenty of talent coming back, especially on their veteran-laden defense. In the words of Bill Connelly of SB Nation, "The Broncos are far and away the safest mid-major bet...the question isn't whether they'll be good, it's whether they'll be undefeated."
Oregon is still loaded in its skill positions and has a couple of big-time players such as DeForest Buckner coming back on the defensive side of the ball. With a new quarterback in Vernon Adams, I think the Ducks will fall at Michigan State and slip up against another Pac-12 team but rebound in order to win the Pac-12 North. They'll fall just outside the playoff, but the Ducks will still be in the hunt for most of the season.
Cotton: No. 2 Baylor vs. No. 3 Alabama
39 of 40
Location: Arlington, Texas (AT&T Stadium)
Date: Dec. 31
Matchup: No. 2 vs. No. 3
As I alluded to earlier in this list, Baylor is my pick to win the Big 12. The schedule sets up well for the Bears—Oklahoma comes to Waco this season—and Seth Russell could put up Heisman-contending numbers in the nation's best offense. An experienced defense could also be the difference in the tight race against TCU this fall.
Alabama has plenty of questions heading into 2015, especially with its passing game, but this is still one of the deepest and most talent-filled rosters in college football. While Nick Saban's team might slip early, the Lane Kiffin offense should be humming by the end of his second season.
Baylor would stretch Alabama's questionable secondary, but the Tide would surely test the strength and improvement of that Bears defense. It's a dream matchup.
Orange: No. 1 Ohio State vs. No. 4 Clemson
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Location: Miami (Sun Life Stadium)
Date: Dec. 31
Matchup: No. 1 vs. No. 4
No surprise here. The first unanimous No. 1 team in AP poll history, per CBS Sports, is expected to run the table this fall. Ohio State is the deepest and most balanced team in college football right now, and the defending champions have a favorable schedule for an undefeated run. No need to overthink this.
Clemson at No. 4 may be surprise, but the Tigers also have the added bonus of a tough but manageable schedule—Notre Dame, Georgia Tech and Florida State all come to Death Valley. With a healthy Deshaun Watson at quarterback, Clemson's offense should be beyond loaded for 2015. The preseason pick to win the ACC replaces the majority of a No. 1 defense, but coordinator Brent Venables has a track record of producing consistent, elite defense—and the Tigers have recruited well on that side of the ball.
This rematch of the Orange Bowl from two seasons ago would be a shot at revenge for Ohio State on its road to another national championship and a chance for Clemson to shock the college football world.
Justin Ferguson is a college football writer at Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @JFergusonBR.
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