CFB: New Year's Six Projections
Orange Bowl (CFP): Alabama vs. Oklahoma: The Crimson Tide went 13-1 last season en route to a championship and should be able to get back to the College Football Playoff for the fifth straight year. Their non-conference slate isn't daunting at all, but the Louisville game isn't going to be a cake walk. Other then that, it looks like potential losses come against LSU, Mississippi State, and Auburn. Alabama should be able to go 11-1 at the very least and win the SEC West going away. Oklahoma lost Heisman winner Baker Mayfield, but Kyler Murray has a lot of talent and has the opportunity to help the Sooners reach their third CFP in five seasons. Oklahoma opens with Florida Atlantic and UCLA, before later facing ranked teams Texas, TCU, and West Virginia.
Cotton Bowl (CFP): Clemson vs. Georgia: The Tigers couldn't beat out Alabama in the Sugar Bowl last year to reach a third straight title game, but many are picking them as favorites to win the ACC and clinch another berth in the CFP this season. We'll do the same. They went 12-2 last year and should be able to do something similar this year. After an easy opening week, Clemson heads to Texas A&M in Week 2. That's a dangerous game. After that, their schedule is pretty lax besides Florida State and Boston College. And the team that will meet them is going to be Georgia. The Bulldogs were one stop away from winning it all last season and are out for revenge. Their toughest games are South Carolina, LSU, and Auburn. Dawgs should go 11-1.
Rose Bowl (NY6): Ohio State vs. Washington: The Buckeyes and Huskies are believed to be on the top tier of the college football landscape, and each have a chance to reach the CFP. In fact, some of us are taking them in our official College Football Playoff picks. However, in this scenario, they both fall just on the outside. Ohio State returns RB J.K. Dobbins and QB Dwayne Haskins was named the starter. Unfortunately for the Bucks, this slate is no joke: TCU, Penn State, and Michigan State all on the road, and Michigan at home. We think may lose two of those. Washington's schedule isn't a cakewalk by any means, as they open with Auburn. But after that, it does get significantly easier. The most dangerous spots are versus Oregon and Stanford.
Other NY6 Projections:
Sugar Bowl: Auburn vs. Texas
Fiesta Bowl: Boise State vs. West Virginia
Peach Bowl: Miami vs. Michigan
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