While the echoes of cheering fans and the unmistakable crunch of shoulder pads begin to fade, the college football postseason is on the horizon. It's that magical time of year where speculation runs rampant and bowl projections become a hot topic of conversation. From the storied Rose Bowl to the College Football Playoff, the stage is set for the unbelievable bowl moments that will etch team into the annals of college football history.
College Football Bowl Projections After Rivalry Week
Let's explore some of the most captivating matchups based on the current college football landscape.
College Football Playoff Predictions
Monday, January 8th
CFP National Championship
Georgia vs Michigan
The matchup that everyone's waiting for.
Georgia and Michigan have been the two top teams in the country all season. After last year's upset loss at the hands of TCU, the Wolverines will be more motivated than ever to make their first appearance in the College Football Playoff National Championship game.
The final rankings before the final rankings. Tonight.
— College Football Playoff (@CFBPlayoff) November 28, 2023
➡️ #CFBPlayoff Top 25
📅 Tuesday, November 28
⏰ 7 p.m. ET
📺 @ESPN
📱 #ESPN app
🏈🏆 pic.twitter.com/Bkg9sWltwY
With Georgia failing to impress in victories against teams like Georgia Tech and Missouri, Michigan may even enter the College Football National Championship as slight favorites.
Monday, January 1st
Rose Bowl CFP Semifinal
Michigan vs Washington
JJ McCarthy and Michigan Wolverines moved back into second in the College Football Playoff rankings after a third straight victory in "The Game". Jim Harbaugh's team led throughout despite missing their leader on the sidelines. The Wolverines suffocating defense and dominate offensive line have oddsmakers tabbing them as favorites to win the College Football National Championship heading into the postseason.
TOUCHDOWN MICHIGAN
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 25, 2023
After review, the TD stands for @Umichfootball 🔥 pic.twitter.com/AnRHE6F0wt
Meanwhile, the Washington Huskies eked out a victory over Washington State during rivalry week. A Grady Gross field goal at the buzzer was enough for the Huskies to scrape past the Cougars. Michael Penix Jr. will be desperate to prove last week was simply a bump in the road in a rematch with the Oregon Ducks. This week's showdown in Las Vegas will effectively be a College Football Playoff eliminator,
Allstate Sugar Bowl CFP Semifinal
Georgia vs Florida State
Despite a devastating injury to star quarterback Jordan Travis, the path to the College Football Playoff remains simply for the Florida State Seminoles. Beat Louisville in the ACC Championship game and you're in. An undefeated season would be enough to force playoff votes to include a strong Seminoles squad.
Coach Smart talks SEC Championship Game 🗣️#GoDawgs x @GeorgiaFootball pic.twitter.com/IsNyIrUzYC
— Georgia Bulldogs All Access (@UGA_GBSM) November 27, 2023
For Kirby Smart's squad it's business as usual. Handle Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide in the SEC Championship and book a third straight trip to the College Football Playoff. Then attempt to make history as the first team in nearly a century to win three straight College Football National Championships.
New Year's Six Bowl Projections
Monday, January 1st
Vrbo Fiesta Bowl
Oregon vs Ohio State
Bo Nix comes up short in his bid to lead the Ducks to a National Championship.
Saturday, December 30th
Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic
Texas vs Penn State
Longhorns fans will be miffed to miss out on the playoff. However, Texas' upset loss to Oklahoma keeps them out of the final four.
Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl
Alabama vs Tulane
After the highs of a late 4th & 31 touchdown and late victory in the Iron Bowl, the Alabama Crimson Tide will be disappointed to only get a Peach Bowl ticket as a consolation. However, Nick Saban's team simply wasn't up to par with the top teams in college football this season. The Peach Bowl is a predictable landing spot for the Crimson Tide.
Capital One Orange Bowl
Louisville vs Missouri
Other Bowl Season Projections
Saturday, December 16th
Bahamas Bowl
Georgia State vs Northern Illinois
Cricket Celebration Bowl
Eastern Michigan vs Georgia Southern
R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
South Florida vs Utah State
Cure Bowl
Marshall vs Coastal Carolina
New Mexico Bowl
Lousiana vs Texas State
LA Bowl
Cal vs UNLV
Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl
Iowa State vs UCLA
Monday, December 18th
Myrtle Beach Bowl
Western Kentucky vs Ohio
Tuesday, December 19th
Scooter's Coffee Frisco Bowl
Appalachian State vs Fresno State
Thursday, December 21st
RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl
USF vs Toledo
Friday, December 22nd
Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl
UCF vs James Madison
Saturday, December 23rd
Birmingham Bowl
Liberty vs Troy
Camellia Bowl
Wyoming vs Jacksonville State
Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl
West Virginia vs Air Force
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Old Dominion vs Bowling Green
68 Ventures Bowl
South Alabama vs Eastern Michigan
SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl
Utah vs Maryland
EasyPost Hawai'i Bowl
San Jose State vs Rice
Tuesday, December 26th
Quick Lane Bowl
Minnesota vs Duke
SERVPRO First Responder Bowl
New Mexico State vs Syracuse
Guaranteed Rate Bowl
Iowa State vs Northwestern
Wednesday, December 27th
Military Bowl
SMU vs Boston College
Duke's Mayo Bowl
Kentucky vs Virginia Tech
Holiday Bowl
Clemson vs Oregon State
TaxAct Texas Bowl
Oklahoma State vs Texas A&M
Thursday, December 28th
Wasabi Fenway Bowl
UTSA vs Georgia Tech
Bay Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl
NC State vs Rutgers
Pop-Tarts Bowl
Kansas State vs Miami
Valero Alamo Bowl
Oklahoma vs Arizona
Friday, December 29th
TaxSlayer Gator Bowl
North Carolina vs Tennessee
Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl
NC State vs USC
AutoZone Liberty Bowl
West Virginia vs Tennessee
Saturday December, 30th
TransPerfect Music City Bowl
Auburn vs Wisconsin
Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl
Miami (OH) vs Boise State
Monday, January 1st
ReliaQuest Bowl
LSU vs Notre Dame
Cheez-It Citrus Bowl
Iowa vs Ole Miss
