CFB: New Year’s 6 Projections

Teams Being Considered:

1. Alabama (11-0)

2. Ohio State (9-0)

3. Clemson (11-1)

4. Notre Dame (11-1)

5. Oregon (7-0)

6. BYU (10-0)

7. Texas A&M (9-1)

8. Cincinnati (10-1)

9. Florida (9-2)

10. Miami (9-2)

11. Oklahoma (9-2)

12. Georgia (8-2)

13. USC (6-1)

14. Wisconsin (5-2)

15. Texas (7-3)

16. Oklahoma State (7-3)

Sugar Bowl (CFP Semifinal): #1 Alabama (11-0) @ #4 Notre Dame (11-1): The Crimson Tide moved into the top spot in our rankings following Clemson’s 47-40 double OT loss at Notre Dame on Saturday. Alabama, who averages 47.2 points per game, is projected to go 11-0 and win the SEC championship game over Florida. Their semifinal opponent in likely to be either Clemson or Notre Dame but we think it’ll end up being a rematch of the 2012 BCS title game with the Fighting Irish. Alabama gets LSU, Kentucky, Auburn, Arkansas, and Florida to close the year. Notre Dame plays Boston College, North Carolina, Syracuse, and Wake Forest before the ACC championship against Clemson or Miami.

Rose Bowl (CFP Semifinal): #2 Ohio State (9-0) @ #3 Clemson (11-1): The Buckeyes weren’t really impacted by Clemson’s loss and they’re still projected to go 9-0 and take another Big Ten championship back to Columbus. Ohio State's remaining schedule is at Maryland, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan State, and Michigan before the Big Ten championship against Northwestern, Purdue, or Wisconsin. The Tigers, on the other hand, have zero room for error for the first time in years. Dabo Swinney’s team, who allows just 19.5 points per game, will have to defeat Florida State, Pittsburgh, Virginia Tech, and Notre Dame in the ACC title game to get to their 6th consecutive CFP. This would be a rematch of Clemson's thrilling 29-23 win a year ago.

Cotton Bowl (Big 12 vs SEC/At-Large): #8 Florida (9-2) @ #11 Oklahoma (9-2): Florida is fresh off a dominating 44-28 win over rival Georgia and they’re primed to win the SEC East now with games versus Arkansas, Vanderbilt, Kentucky, Tennessee, and LSU before Alabama in the SEC championship game. If the Gators run the table, they’re in the CFP, but it seems more likely they fall at some point and end up in arguably the most attractive New Year’s 6 matchup with Oklahoma. The Sooners are also projected to go 9-2 but they’d be crowned Big 12 champions in this scenario after taking down Oklahoma State, West Virginia, and Baylor. Any number of Big 12 teams could end up here, though, as Iowa State, Oklahoma State, and Texas are all in contention.

Orange Bowl (ACC vs Big Ten/SEC): #7 Texas A&M (9-1) @ #10 Miami (9-2): The Aggies have played at a high level all year except the first half against Alabama, and they now have an outside chance to make the CFP. It’s more likely they settle for the SEC’s top slot, though. Texas A&M will take on Tennessee, Ole Miss, LSU, and Auburn to finish the regular season. Miami, led by D’Eriq King’s 1,831 passing yards, might lose another game as their schedule kicks up at Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, Wake Forest, and North Carolina but they should find their way into a New Year’s 6 bowl. In order to make the ACC title game, Miami needs Clemson to lose once more. Wisconsin or another Big Ten team is also an option here.

Fiesta Bowl (Big 12/Pac-12 vs At-Large): #5 Oregon (7-0) @ #6 BYU (10-0): Oregon, who made their season debut with a 35-14 win over Stanford last Saturday, has a chance to go 6-0 with matchups versus Washington State, UCLA, Oregon State, Cal, and Washington before a potential Pac-12 title clash with USC. If Oregon can go unbeaten, they’ll have an argument to make the CFP but we predict they just miss out for the second year in a row. Their opponent could be either BYU or Cincinnati, but the Cougars are our choice as it looks like they’ll go 10-0 with North Alabama and San Diego State left. Zach Wilson has been elite as he’s thrown for 2,511 yards and 21 touchdowns, which would make for an exciting matchup with Oregon’s stout defense.

Peach Bowl (SEC vs ACC/At-Large): #9 Cincinnati (10-1) @ #12 Georgia (8-2): Cincinnati currently sits at 6-0 with four regular season games versus East Carolina, UCF, Temple, and Tulsa, and a possible American title game after that. We predict they’ll lose once along the way but even if they did go 11-0, this is a possible landing spot, as is the Fiesta Bowl. Meanwhile, Georgia needs to win out just to secure a spot in the New Year’s 6 for a fourth straight year. The Bulldogs’ offense has struggled in recent weeks, averaging just 6.8 yards per pass, but they will be favored in the remainder of their games against Missouri, Mississippi State, South Carolina, and Vanderbilt. Wisconsin could also be an option here if they’re able to finish with one loss.

Other Notable Projections:

Alamo: Texas vs. USC

Citrus: Auburn vs. Wisconsin

Gator: Missouri vs. North Carolina

Texas: Arkansas vs. OK State

Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Times.