Now that the penultimate CFP rankings are out (and Miami was screwed for Alabama as expected), here are my annual bowl projections. I am predicting that if SMU loses, it too will get screwed for Alabama. The CFP will protect the SEC at all costs. Sad and disappointing. Therefore, the ACC will only get one team in the CFP even though they deserve two.
Our likely bowl destination is either New York (Pinstripe Bowl), El Paso (Sun Bowl), or Annapolis (Military Bowl). I suppose it's possible that we could fall to the Birmingham Bowl, but with the seventh win, I do think that makes a difference and Annapolis is probably the furthest we fall. The ACC has been more hands on in getting teams with better records to better bowls.
We are 7-5 along with Georgia Tech and Pitt.
If SMU wins
CFP Peach Bowl: SMU vs. Penn State/Alabama winner
Pop Tarts Bowl: Miami vs. Iowa State (if Arizona State wins Big 12) or BYU (if Iowa State wins Big 12)
Gator Bowl: Duke vs. LSU
Holiday Bowl: Clemson vs. Washington (if Arizona State wins Big 12) or Washington State (if Iowa State wins Big 12)
Duke’s Mayo Bowl: Louisville vs. Minnesota
Pinstripe Bowl: Boston College vs. Nebraska
Sun Bowl: Syracuse vs. USC
Military Bowl: Georgia Tech vs. Army
Fenway Bowl: Pitt vs. Tulane
Gasparilla Bowl: Virginia Tech vs. Vanderbilt
Birmingham Bowl: NC State vs. Arkansas
First Responder Bowl: North Carolina vs. Kansas State
LA Bowl: California vs. UNLV/Boise St loser
If Clemson wins
CFP Peach Bowl: Clemson vs. Penn State/Alabama winner
Pop Tarts Bowl: SMU vs. Iowa State (if Arizona State wins Big 12) or BYU (if Iowa State wins Big 12)
Gator Bowl: Miami vs. LSU
Holiday Bowl: Syracuse vs. Washington (if Arizona State wins Big 12) or Washington State (if Iowa State wins Big 12)
Duke’s Mayo Bowl: Duke vs. Minnesota
Pinstripe Bowl: Boston College vs. Nebraska
Sun Bowl: Louisville vs. USC
Military Bowl: Georgia Tech vs. Army
Fenway Bowl: Pitt vs. Tulane
Gasparilla Bowl: Virginia Tech vs. Vanderbilt
Birmingham Bowl: NC State vs. Arkansas
First Responder Bowl: North Carolina vs. Kansas State
LA Bowl: California vs. UNLV/Boise St loser
Ultimately, I just think the Pinstripe Bowl will want us and pick us over Georgia Tech and Pitt. It's been seven years since we've been there.
Our likely bowl destination is either New York (Pinstripe Bowl), El Paso (Sun Bowl), or Annapolis (Military Bowl). I suppose it's possible that we could fall to the Birmingham Bowl, but with the seventh win, I do think that makes a difference and Annapolis is probably the furthest we fall. The ACC has been more hands on in getting teams with better records to better bowls.
We are 7-5 along with Georgia Tech and Pitt.
If SMU wins
CFP Peach Bowl: SMU vs. Penn State/Alabama winner
Pop Tarts Bowl: Miami vs. Iowa State (if Arizona State wins Big 12) or BYU (if Iowa State wins Big 12)
Gator Bowl: Duke vs. LSU
Holiday Bowl: Clemson vs. Washington (if Arizona State wins Big 12) or Washington State (if Iowa State wins Big 12)
Duke’s Mayo Bowl: Louisville vs. Minnesota
Pinstripe Bowl: Boston College vs. Nebraska
Sun Bowl: Syracuse vs. USC
Military Bowl: Georgia Tech vs. Army
Fenway Bowl: Pitt vs. Tulane
Gasparilla Bowl: Virginia Tech vs. Vanderbilt
Birmingham Bowl: NC State vs. Arkansas
First Responder Bowl: North Carolina vs. Kansas State
LA Bowl: California vs. UNLV/Boise St loser
If Clemson wins
CFP Peach Bowl: Clemson vs. Penn State/Alabama winner
Pop Tarts Bowl: SMU vs. Iowa State (if Arizona State wins Big 12) or BYU (if Iowa State wins Big 12)
Gator Bowl: Miami vs. LSU
Holiday Bowl: Syracuse vs. Washington (if Arizona State wins Big 12) or Washington State (if Iowa State wins Big 12)
Duke’s Mayo Bowl: Duke vs. Minnesota
Pinstripe Bowl: Boston College vs. Nebraska
Sun Bowl: Louisville vs. USC
Military Bowl: Georgia Tech vs. Army
Fenway Bowl: Pitt vs. Tulane
Gasparilla Bowl: Virginia Tech vs. Vanderbilt
Birmingham Bowl: NC State vs. Arkansas
First Responder Bowl: North Carolina vs. Kansas State
LA Bowl: California vs. UNLV/Boise St loser
Ultimately, I just think the Pinstripe Bowl will want us and pick us over Georgia Tech and Pitt. It's been seven years since we've been there.
