Week 13 College Football Bowl Projections
To quote Monty Python: “And now for something completely different.” (Too young for a Monty Python reference? Google is your friend.)
Last week, my projected College Football Playoff pairings consisted of Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State and Cincinnati. This week? Well, cue Monty Python: now for something completely — completely — different.
Based on Georgia (13-0) winning the SEC in a single-digit win vs. Alabama (11-2), Ohio State (12-1) winning the Big Ten, Cincinnati (13-0) winning the American and Oklahoma State (12-1) winning the Big 12, my CFP projections are: Georgia vs. Alabama and Ohio State vs. Oklahoma State.
Yes, two-loss Alabama would be the pick over undefeated Cincinnati. This is based in part on selection committee chair Gary Barta’s comments last week questioning the Bearcats’ strength of schedule. I believe the committee will only put undefeated Cincinnati in the playoff over Alabama if the Tide lose by double-digits against Georgia.
Entering the final week of the regular season there are 72 bowl eligible teams (82 bowl teams are needed). However, there remain 21 teams that can still reach bowl eligibility — 20 teams are 5-6 and must win this week, while USC (4-6) has games remaining vs. BYU and Cal.
There are four games this week matching 5-6 teams: Florida State at Florida, Maryland at Rutgers, Charlotte at Old Dominion and Middle Tennessee at Florida Atlantic, guaranteeing 76 bowl-eligible teams.
Of the remaining 5-6 teams, 10 of the 13 are underdogs this week — meaning there needs to be several upsets to get enough six-win teams. If not, bowls will have to take some 5-7 teams.
The College Football Playoff pairings will be announced on Dec. 5, along with the remaining bowl lineups.
Each bowl projection includes the projected point spread for each game based on Action Network senior writer Collin Wilson’s updated college football betting power ratings.
Updated College Football Bowl Game Predictions
CFP Semifinals
New Year's Six Bowls
Other Bowls
* 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.
