Welcome to Nittany Sports Now’s bowl projections.
Each week the season slowly gets to the end of the regular season and teams begin their focus on bowl preparations.
Some teams have a lot on the line in the next two to three weeks of the season with rivalry games aplenty and conference championship games on the horizon. Chaos is sure to ensue and we are here for it.
The Big Ten will come down to the last week of November when Michigan and Ohio State will face off for a game with Playoff implications. The Pac 12 is about to sort itself out with USC playing Notre Dame the last week of the season as well as UCLA this week while Utah and Oregon go head-to-head this week.
Penn State is now up to No. 11 in the CFP Rankings and could easily move into the top 10 in the next two weeks ensuring the Nittany Lions will be off to a quality bowl destination.
Each week, we’re going to take a shot at projected who will go to each bowl. For simplicity, I’ve projected the CFP Semifinals and National Championship, New Year’s Six bowls as well as bowls the Big Ten is eligible for.
NSN’S BOWL PROJECTIONS
CFP National Championship
Location: SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, Cali.
Date: Monday, January 9, 2023
Time: 8 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Ohio State vs. Georgia
CFP Semi Finals
Fiesta Bowl
Date: Saturday, December 31, 2022
Time: 4 p.m. or 8 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Prugar: Georgia vs. TCU
Smeltzer: Georgia vs. Michigan
Peach Bowl
Date: Saturday, December 31, 2022
Time: 4 p.m. or 8 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Prugar: Ohio State vs. Tennessee
Smeltzer: Ohio State vs. Tennessee
Rose Bowl – Highest ranked Big 10 team, if not the Big Ten champion vs. Pac 12
Date: Monday, January 2, 2023
Time: 5 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Prugar: Michigan vs. USC
Smeltzer: Penn State vs. Tennessee
Cotton Bowl – Highest Ranked Group of 5 vs. At-Large
Date: Monday, January 2, 2023
Time: 1 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Prugar: UCF vs. Washington
Smeltzer: Tulane vs. Washington
Sugar Bowl – SEC Champion if not in CFP vs. Big 12
Date: Saturday, December 31, 2022
Time: Noon
TV: ESPN
Prugar: LSU vs. Kansas State
Smeltzer: LSU vs. TCU
Orange Bowl – ACC vs. Big Ten or SEC
Date: Friday, December 30, 2022
Time: 7:30 p.m. or 8 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Prugar: Clemson vs. Penn State
Smeltzer: Clemson vs. Alabama
Cheez-It Citrus Bowl vs. SEC
Date: Monday, January 2, 2023
Time: 1 p.m.
TV: ABC
Prugar: Illinois vs. Alabama
Smeltzer: Purdue vs. Ole Miss
ReliaQuest Bowl vs. SEC
Date: Monday, January 2, 2023
Time: Noon
TV: ESPN 2
Prugar Minnesota vs. Ole Miss
Smeltzer: Minnesota vs. Kentucky
Duke’s Mayo Bowl vs. ACC
Date: Friday, December 30, 2022
Time: Noon
TV: ESPN
Prugar: Duke vs. Purdue
Smeltzer: Illinois vs. Duke
TransPerfect Music City Bowl vs. SEC
Date: Saturday, December 31, 2022
Time: Noon
TV: ABC
Prugar Iowa vs. Kentucky
Smeltzer: Iowa vs. Arkansas
New Era Pinstripe Bowl vs. ACC
Date: Thursday, December 29, 2022
Time: 2 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Prugar: Maryland vs. Pitt
Smeltzer: Wisconsin vs. Pitt
Guaranteed Rate Bowl vs. Big 12
Date: Tuesday, December 27, 2022
Time: 10:15 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Prugar: Kansas vs. Wisconsin
Smeltzer: Kansas vs. Maryland
Quick Lane Bowl vs. MAC
Date: Monday, December 26, 2022
Time: 2:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Prugar: Michigan State vs. Buffalo
Smeltzer: Michigan State vs. SMU
