Welcome to Nittany Sports Now’s bowl projections.
Last week we mentioned how ‘The Game’ would change everything. Well … it did and then so did Texas A&M beating LSU and South Carolina beating another team in orange, Clemson.
Michigan thumped Ohio State to bump the Buckeyes to No. 5 and possibly the Rose Bowl while the Aggies win over the Tigers moved LSU from the top-10. The Gamecocks being a giant slayer moved the Tigers to No. 9 and now Penn State sits at No. 8 entering championship weekend.
Now, there are three bowl game options for the Nittany Lions, the Cotton Bowl, the Orange Bowl and the Rose Bowl.
Typically, the Rose Bowl has the Big Ten champion or highest ranked team from the Big Ten if the champion is in the playoff. Right now, that would be Ohio State, but the Buckeyes played in the Rose Bowl last year against Utah in what was one the better bowl games of the season.
There’s a possibility, though, the Buckeyes and the Big Ten could put Penn State there because of that which would put Ohio State in the Cotton or Orange Bowl.
Shakeups could be forthcoming pending the results of championship weekend. No. 4 USC takes on No. 12 Utah Friday for the Pac 12 title with No. 3 TCU taking on No. 11 Kansas State in the Big 12 championship game.
No. 2 Michigan plays Purdue for Big 10 supremacy as No. 1 Georgia will face No. 15 LSU in the SEC championship. In the ACC, it’s No. 9 Clemson taking on No. 23 North Carolina.
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
Michigan vs. Georgia
CFP Semi Finals
Fiesta Bowl
Date: Saturday, December 31, 2022
Time: 4 p.m. or 8 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Michigan vs. TCU
Peach Bowl
Date: Saturday, December 31, 2022
Time: 4 p.m. or 8 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Georgia vs. USC
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
Penn State vs. Washington
Cotton Bowl – Highest Ranked Group of 5 vs. At-Large
Date: Monday, January 2, 2023
Time: 1 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Tulane vs. Ohio State
Sugar Bowl – SEC Champion if not in CFP vs. Big 12
Date: Saturday, December 31, 2022
Time: Noon
TV: ESPN
Alabama vs. Kansas State
Orange Bowl – ACC vs. Big Ten or SEC
Date: Friday, December 30, 2022
Time: 7:30 p.m. or 8 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Clemson vs. Tennessee
Cheez-It Citrus Bowl vs. SEC
Date: Monday, January 2, 2023
Time: 1 p.m.
TV: ABC
Purdue vs. LSU
ReliaQuest Bowl vs. SEC
Date: Monday, January 2, 2023
Time: Noon
TV: ESPN 2
Illinois vs. Kentucky
Duke’s Mayo Bowl vs. ACC
Date: Friday, December 30, 2022
Time: Noon
TV: ESPN
Duke vs. Minnesota
TransPerfect Music City Bowl vs. SEC
Date: Saturday, December 31, 2022
Time: Noon
TV: ABC
Iowa vs. Arkansas
New Era Pinstripe Bowl vs. ACC
Date: Thursday, December 29, 2022
Time: 2 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Maryland vs. Pitt
Guaranteed Rate Bowl vs. Big 12
Date: Tuesday, December 27, 2022
Time: 10:15 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Kansas vs. Wisconsin
Quick Lane Bowl vs. MAC
Date: Monday, December 26, 2022
Time: 2:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Michigan State vs. Buffalo