The games are all played. The 82 bowl-eligible teams are all set. All that remains now is to find out where they’ll be playing. After an incredible “Championship Weekend” providing more questions than answers for the College Football Playoff selection committee, our updated 2023 college football bowl projections try to figure out what we might see on “Selection Sunday”.
2023 College Football Bowl Projections | New Year’s Six
Sugar Bowl (College Football Playoff) | #1 Michigan vs. #4 Florida State
The undefeated Big Ten champion Michigan Wolverines take the number one spot and secure a berth in the Sugar Bowl in our updated 2023 college football bowl projections. Consistently dominant on both sides of the ball this fall, Jim Harbaugh’s team boasts the top-scoring defense in the nation and a top-15 scoring offense that overcame Iowa’s staunch defense.
The fourth spot is going to be incredibly contentious come noon ET Sunday, but it’s difficult to argue with an undefeated conference champion getting into the final four. It hasn’t always been pretty for the Florida State Seminoles, particularly in the ACC Championship Game, but they have got the talent and two SEC wins on the road to bolster their résumé for inclusion.
Rose Bowl (College Football Playoff) | #2 Washington vs. #3 Texas
After the Washington Huskies took care of business in a thrilling Pac-12 Championship Game, Kalen DeBoer’s team is Rose Bowl-bound. For college football traditionalists, this semifinal clash keeps alive the Big Ten vs. Pac-12 powwow in Pasadena which could be Michael Penix Jr.’s first game as a Heisman Trophy winner following his heroics in Las Vegas.
Texas secured its first Big 12 title since 2009 and booked its place in the College Football Playoff with arguably their most impressive performance since beating Alabama in Week 2. The Longhorns were electric on offense while showcasing the full extent of their defensive talent. There’ll be difficult to ignore when the selection committee sits down to deliberate tomorrow.
Fiesta Bowl | Georgia vs. Ohio State
Can we interest anyone in a repeat of the thrilling 2022-2023 Peach Bowl? It’s not what either team would have hoped for or even expected, but our updated college football bowl projections suggest that the Georgia Bulldogs and Ohio State Buckeyes could come together in the New Year’s Six but outside of the College Football Playoff.
After losing to Alabama in the SEC Championship Game, the Georgia Bulldogs are extremely likely to miss out on the final four despite heading into the game as the number one team in the nation. Meanwhile, results didn’t go the way of the Buckeyes as they sat at home on “Championship Weekend”, meaning they miss out on the playoffs for the second time in three seasons.
Cotton Bowl | Oregon vs. Missouri
After a sensational season that saw them hit double-digit wins for the first time since 2014, the Missouri Tigers are a virtual lock for a New Year’s Six spot. In our updated 2023 college football bowl projections, Eli Drinkwitz takes his 27th-ranked scoring offense to the Cotton Bowl, looking to end the season on the high they deserve.
Looking to stop them are the Oregon Ducks, who entered this weekend entertaining thoughts of playing in the College Football Playoff but came up just short against Washington for the second time this season. It is unclear at this point whether quarterback Bo Nix will play, but we could be treated to a clash of two of the most productive running backs in the nation from this matchup.
Peach Bowl | Liberty vs. Penn State
After Tulane lost to SMU in the AAC Championship Game, the Liberty Flames should be the program to represent the Group of Five in the NY6. An undefeated Conference USA champion, the Flames have been hot property in their first season under former Coastal Carolina head coach Jamey Chadwell.
After defeating New Mexico State on Friday night to secure the CUSA title at the first attempt, Liberty finished 2023 with a 13-0 record and all of their wins came against FBS competition. Chadwell’s team has been one of the most electric teams to watch this season, ranking sixth for scoring offense and leading the nation in interceptions.
Orange Bowl | Louisville vs. Alabama
Despite losing in the ACC Championship Game, the Louisville Cardinals should represent the ACC in their contractual obligation with the Orange Bowl. It’s been a remarkable season for Jeff Brohm and his team, far exceeding pre-season expectations to emerge as the best of the rest behind FSU. Their place in the New Year’s Six is just a reward for a stellar season.
Alabama’s sensational rise from their early season woes earned them a top-four ranking in the CFN College Football Top 25. However, our 2023 bowl projections have the SEC champions missing out on a spot in the playoff due to their loss to Texas. For the first time this year, the Orange Bowl features both champions from the affiliated conferences.
Projections for the Remaining 2023 College Football Bowl Games
Famous Toastery Bowl
Arkansas State vs. Utah State
Celebration Bowl
Howard vs. Florida A&M
New Orleans Bowl
Jacksonville State vs. Louisiana (as reported by Action Network)
Cure Bowl
Rice vs. Appalachian State
New Mexico Bowl
Western Kentucky vs. Fresno State
LA Bowl
UCLA vs. Boise State
Independence Bowl
Cal vs. Texas Tech
Myrtle Beach Bowl
James Madison vs. USF
Frisco Bowl
Texas State vs. Air Force
Boca Raton Bowl
South Alabama vs Miami (OH)
Gasparilla Bowl
Duke vs. UCF
Birmingham Bowl
UTSA vs. Troy
Camellia Bowl
Bowling Green vs. Old Dominion
Armed Forces Bowl
Georgia State vs. New Mexico State
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Ohio vs. Wyoming
68 Ventures Bowl
Northern Illinois vs. Georgia Southern
Las Vegas Bowl
Northwestern vs. Utah
Hawaii Bowl
San Jose State vs. Coastal Carolina (game confirmed)
Quick Lane Bowl
Marshall vs. Eastern Michigan
First Responder Bowl
Iowa State vs. Memphis
Guaranteed Rate Bowl
Kansas vs. Minnesota
Military Bowl
SMU vs. Georgia Tech
Duke’s Mayo Bowl
NC State vs. Kentucky
Texas Bowl
Kansas State vs. Texas A&M
Fenway Bowl
Tulane vs. Boston College
Pinstripe Bowl
Syracuse vs. Rutgers
Pop-Tarts Bowl
North Carolina vs. Oklahoma State
Alamo Bowl
Oklahoma vs. Oregon State
Gator Bowl
Tennessee vs. Clemson
Sun Bowl
Miami (FL) vs. USC
Liberty Bowl
West Virginia vs. Virginia Tech
Music City Bowl
Auburn vs. Wisconsin
Arizona Bowl
Toledo vs. UNLV
Reliaquest Bowl
LSU vs. Maryland
Citrus Bowl
Iowa vs. Ole Miss
Holiday Bowl
Notre Dame vs. Arizona