Bowl Projections: Notre Dame and 9 Other Teams Peaking at the Right Time

Bowl season is nearly upon us and while just about half of the teams in college football will qualify for a bowl, some will be more deserving than others. 

No matter if a team is hot or cold, six wins will almost always qualify a team for a bowl, whether they have five straight losses or five straight wins coming in. 

In other sports, it is good to get hot right before the playoffs, but in college football the only thing to get hot for at the end of the season is a bowl game. 

Here are 10 teams that are peaking just in time for bowl season. 

Virginia Tech Hokies

Virginia Tech has climbed the rankings in recent weeks and has won six straight games heading into their season finale against Virginia. 

While they still have a very slim chance to play for a National Championship, the Hokies are likely suited for the Orange Bowl against a Big East team. 

Their sole loss to Clemson will likely keep them out of the National Championship, but they are still one of the hottest teams in the country. 

Houston Cougars

Houston has been hot all season, but particularly more so as of late. 

They are a virtual lock for a BCS bowl game, assuming they win their two remaining games. 

The most likely landing spot for them is the Fiesta Bowl. 

The Cougars not only lead the nation in scoring at 53.1 points per game, but they have also won their last six games by at least 30 points. 

Georgia Bulldogs

The Georgia Bulldogs have won nine straight and have only lost to Boise St. and South Carolina. 

They are slated to play LSU in the SEC Championship and a win would put them in the Sugar Bowl. 

A loss would likely land them in the Cotton Bowl. 

There are very few teams in the country hotter than the Bulldogs right now. 

Arkansas Razorbacks

Arkansas enters Friday's showdown against LSU having won seven straight.

Their only loss of the season came on the road against Alabama.

They can put some points on the board, to the tune of 39 per game. 

While they still have an outside shot to play for a national championship, the Razorbacks are more likely headed to the Capital One Bowl.  

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

The Fighting Irish have won four straight and eight of nine. 

Brian Kelly and his squad are living up to expectations this season and a showdown against Stanford looms on Saturday. 

They appear slated for the Champs Sports Bowl, which is normally granted to a Big East team, but Notre Dame is also eligible if they have at least seven wins. 

They are as hot as nearly anybody in the country right now. 

LSU Tigers

LSU has been hot for the entire season. 

They are one of only two undefeated teams remaining and even with one loss down the stretch, they will likely play for the national championship. 

They have seemingly gotten better every game and are peaking at the right time. 

Baylor Bears

Like the other teams on this list, Baylor is peaking at the right time. 

They defeated Oklahoma most recently and are winners of three straight. 

Quarterback Robert Griffin III is one of the best in the country and the Bears have in-state rivals Texas Tech and Texas coming up. 

Two wins would go a long way toward their bowl status. 

TCU Horned Frogs

The Horned Frogs are coming off wins against Boise St. and Colorado St. 

They are winners of six straight and nine out of 10. 

TCU scores over 40 points per game and may be headed for the Las Vegas Bowl. 

As usual, they are peaking at the right time. 

Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Rutgers has won three in a row and is in first place in the Big East. 

With a little bit of help, they could be taking on Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl.

The Scarlet Knights are led by do-it-all receiver Mohamed Sanu. He leads the Big East with 100 receptions and 1,011 yards. 

Rutgers is one of the most improved teams in the country. 

Virginia Cavaliers

Virginia has won six of seven games and with their upset at Florida St. over the weekend, now controls their own destiny for an Orange Bowl berth. 

They have a solid defense, allowing just over 20 points per game. 

The biggest game of the season looms on Saturday against Virginia Tech, with a shot at the ACC Championship on the line.