Bowl Projections 2015: CFP Predictions After Latest Playoff Rankings

There will be teams that won't be pleased after the College Football Playoff rankings were released on Tuesday night. Much like last year, those teams will probably be from the Big 12 conference after both Baylor and Oklahoma State were left out of the Top Four despite being undefeated. 

But alas, there is much of the season left to play and the opportunity for those teams to prove their worth. So let's predict which teams will end up in the playoff and break down the likely major bowl matchups as well. 

Playoff: No. 1 Ohio State vs. No. 4 Baylor

Orlin Wagner/Associated Press

If the Buckeyes close out the season with wins over Michigan State, Michigan and likely Iowa in the Big Ten title game, it's hard to imagine they wouldn't be the No. 1 team in the nation, especially if Iowa remains unbeaten heading into that contest. 

Meanwhile, it's pretty hard to imagine the committee keeping Baylor out of the playoff if it beats Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and TCU down the stretch.

In fact, that stretch might even be enough to get the Bears higher than No. 4 in the nation, though the fact that they are fighting into the Top Four—whereas teams like Clemson and Alabama are already highly regarded enough to be in the Top Four—makes me think the highest Baylor will be ranked is No. 4 unless some of the teams ahead of it suffer a loss. 

“They’re going to get an opportunity to show it," selection committee chairman Jeff Long told Paul Myerberg of USA Today about Baylor's chances of climbing into the Top Four. "We still feel like they’re a strong team. That’s kind of why they held their place. It’s very difficult to move them up until they’ve played some teams with some strength. We’ll have a clearer picture on Baylor in the future.”

Notre Dame, in this scenario, is the team most likely to get snubbed. And it will be hard to keep out a Fighting Irish team that has a slew of impressive wins, nearly beat Clemson and could add a victory over a good Stanford side down the stretch. Somebody deserving will ultimately be left out. If Baylor wins out, I think that team will be Notre Dame, by a hair. 

No. 2 Clemson vs. No. 3 Alabama

If Clemson wins out, the Tigers are in. Simple as that. An undefeated campaign that includes wins over Notre Dame and Florida State will be enough to get an ACC winner into the playoff just about every year. 

The same is probably true for the Crimson Tide. Wins over Wisconsin, Georgia, Texas A&M and LSU—along with upcoming matchups against Mississippi State and Florida in the SEC title game—should be enough to get an impressive Alabama squad into the playoff. 

Rose Bowl: Iowa vs. Stanford

Iowa should win out, meaning the worst the Hawkeyes will do from a bowl perspective is reach the Rose Bowl, where Stanford—whom I'm projecting will win out and beat Utah in the Pac-12 title game—will be awaiting them.

Sugar Bowl: Florida vs. Oklahoma State

Assuming the Florida Gators win the rest of their regular-season games—including a matchup against Florida State—and at least play Alabama tough in the SEC title game, I have a hard time imagining they won't leapfrog LSU in the overall standings. Awaiting them will be the Cowboys, who will have a lone loss against Baylor.

Peach Bowl: LSU vs. Houston

LSU and Leonard Fournette will be tough to keep out of a major bowl with one loss, so the Peach Bowl will get the Tigers. Awaiting them will be the Houston Cougars, the top mid-major who will have quite a nice resume if they are able to beat Memphis and Navy down the stretch.

Fiesta Bowl: Utah vs. Notre Dame

So long as the Utah Utes play Stanford tough in the Pac-12 title game, they'll get respect in the final rankings. Their consolation prize for not winning the conference will be a matchup against a dangerous Notre Dame team that will be pretty heated after being left out of the playoff.