2021 Bowl Game Predictions
Last Updated: Sunday, Dec. 5 at 12:02 p.m. ET.
In the past week, there were approximately 300 coaching changes, 25 (known) candidates for the Miami athletic director’s position and the addition of a new bowl game. Or maybe that all just happened on Friday? I’m really not sure, it’s all been a blur.
What’s becoming clear, however, is the bowl lineup. Today is Selection Sunday. The official pairings for all 42 bowl games will be announced — hopefully after I’ve reported some first on Twitter (@Brett_McMurphy) and right here at the Action Network.
There are a number of bowls still up in the air and won’t be determined until Sunday afternoon — most notably involving the SEC and ACC — but a lot are coming into focus. The bowl matchups I’ve confirmed as of this morning or that have been officially announced, I’ve highlighted and bolded below.
Hopefully, I can improve on my success rate in my final projections. In the past four years (not including COVID-19’s 2020 season), I have correctly projected 73% of the 234 bowl teams in the correct bowl. I’ll gladly take anything over 70% this year, since missing only one team can domino into four or five teams in the wrong bowl.
Enough of my babbling. Onto the final projections. Enjoy!
And, as always, each College Football projection includes the projected point spread for each game based on Action Network senior writer Collin Wilson’s updated college football betting power ratings.
College Football Playoff Projections
CFP Semifinals
New Year's Six Bowls
Other Bowls
Teams highlighted and in bold have officially accepted bowl bids or have been confirmed by The Action Network.
To stay in on the informed action, check out our college football odds, futures, and expert NCAAF picks.
* The highest-rated champion from the Group of Five conferences (American, Conference USA, Mid-American, Mountain West and Sun Belt) will be selected to play in the Fiesta Bowl if it does not qualify for College Football Playoff.
