Bowl Projections 2015: College Football Playoff Predictions for Top Teams
Late November Saturdays never fail to disappoint.
Just when it looked like the final four teams were lined up with relatively easy paths to the playoffs, Michigan State shakes things up with a thrilling last-second victory at Ohio State.
With at least one new team entering the Top Four, there will be plenty of debate over the next few days in the college football world.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Here is the latest projection of how the College Football Playoff and the rest of the New Year's Six bowl games will shake out by season's end.
| Dec. 31 | Cotton Bowl/CFP Semifinal | Alabama vs. Notre Dame |
| Dec. 31 | Orange Bowl/CFP Semifinal | Clemson vs. Michigan State |
| Dec. 31 | Peach Bowl | Florida State vs. Iowa |
| Jan. 1 | Rose Bowl | Ohio State vs. Stanford |
| Jan. 1 | Fiesta Bowl | Oregon vs. Navy |
| Jan. 1 | Sugar Bowl | Oklahoma vs. Ole Miss |
Notable Teams
Michigan State
Despite a loss to Nebraska in early November, Michigan State is now in excellent position to run the table and advance to the playoffs.
"Today's big winners were Oklahoma, Michigan State, & Baylor. At least 1 of them will be in the CFB Playoffs. Maybe 2.
— Rob Stone (@RobStoneONFOX) November 22, 2015"
With a win over Penn State in their regular-season finale, the Spartans advance to the Big Ten Championship Game to face Iowa.
The loss to Nebraska is one of the worst defeats of any top-10 team, but Michigan State's victory at Ohio State is arguably the best win on any resume.
Last season the committee rewarded Ohio State for closing the season on a high note, and Michigan State appears to headed down that same path.
Ohio State
With a win over Michigan, the Buckeyes will safely be in one of the New Year's Six bowl games, potentially even representing the Big Ten in the Rose Bowl if the conference champion is selected to the playoffs.
It's also worth noting that Ohio State is not out of the playoff hunt.
If Michigan State loses to Penn State (a possibility, especially given Connor Cook's uncertain status) and the Buckeyes take care of Michigan, Ohio State wins the Big Ten East Division. The Buckeyes would then face Iowa for the conference title.
While a one-loss Buckeyes squad might not be a lock for the playoffs, the CFP committee has shown respect for the Big Ten, as demonstrated by its selection of one-loss Ohio State to last year's playoff and its ranking of Iowa this season.
Florida State
The Seminoles have been eliminated in the ACC race and therefore are out of the playoff hunt, but a New Year's Six bowl selection remains a possibility.
Florida State travels to Gainesville to face Florida on Saturday, giving the Seminoles an opportunity to close the regular season with a major boost to their resume. As an added bonus, the victory would deliver a death blow to the rival Gators' playoff hopes.
The ACC doesn't have a New Year's Six bowl affiliation this year, since the Orange Bowl is one of the semifinal games, but due to location, the Peach Bowl in Atlanta would be a likely placement for the Seminoles.
Oregon
The Ducks looked like they were finished in early October, with bowl eligibility a serious question mark following their loss to Washington State.
But quarterback Vernon Adams returned from injury and has led Oregon on a torrid stretch to put the Ducks back into consideration for a New Year's Six bowl.
"The game has slowed down so much for Vernon Adams to the point that I don’t know if a Pac-12 QB is playing at higher level right now.
— Dan Rubenstein (@DanRubenstein) November 21, 2015"
In fact, Oregon could even be in play for a Rose Bowl selection if Stanford is able to wrap up the Pac-12 title and sneak into the playoffs with two losses.
For those who may doubt the inclusion of a three-loss team in this projection, keep in mind that in 2014 the committee selected three-loss Arizona, fresh off a 51-13 loss to Oregon in the Pac-12 title game, to play in the Fiesta Bowl.
Navy
The highest ranked team from the Group of Five conferences earns an invitation to a New Year's Six bowl, and Navy currently holds that position.
If the Midshipmen win out, they will likely earn the nod from the committee.
"Credit Navy. While so many teams are screwing around today, Mids are just crushing Tulsa. Would love to see Navy in a New Year's Six game.
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) November 22, 2015"
The possible selection of Navy throws a wrinkle into the bowl selection process, which is worth mentioning.
If Navy is the highest ranked Group of Five team on Dec. 6, the date of the bowl selections, the committee will delay the announcement of the Group of Five team until after the Army-Navy game on Dec. 12, according to ESPN's Heather Dinich.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
