Welcome to Nittany Sports Now’s bowl projections.
It all comes down to what happens in Columbus during ‘The Game.’
The outcome between Michigan and Ohio State has playoff implications and then some as it will dictate the College Football Playoff as well as conference championship and even who gets New Year’s Six bids
As it stands, Penn State remained at No. 11 in the CFP Rankings and could move into the top 10 depending on what happens above them.
Above them sits Ohio State and Michigan at No. 2 and No. 3 respectively with Georgia at No. 1 and TCU at No. 4 to round out the top-four. From there the remainder of the top-10 is LSU, USC, Alabama, Clemson, Oregon and Tennessee.
LSU takes on Texas A&M this week while USC has Notre Dame who happen to be lurking at No. 15 and have a win over Clemson on their resume. Alabama faces Auburn in the Iron Bowl while Clemson hosts South Carolina fresh off the Gamecocks’ 63-38 thumping of Tennessee.
The Volunteers play Vanderbilt and Oregon heads to Oregon State. Oh and of course, Penn State and Michigan State face off for the Land-Grant Trophy.
So much will happen this weekend and a lot of it is going to have a direct impact on where the Nittany Lions will head for their bowl.
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: Ohio State vs. TCU
Peach Bowl
Date: Saturday, December 31, 2022
Time: 4 p.m. or 8 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Prugar: Georgia vs. Michigan
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: Penn State vs. USC
Cotton Bowl – Highest Ranked Group of 5 vs. At-Large
Date: Monday, January 2, 2023
Time: 1 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Prugar: 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
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. Alabama
Cheez-It Citrus Bowl vs. SEC
Date: Monday, January 2, 2023
Time: 1 p.m.
TV: ABC
Prugar: Illinois vs. Ole Miss
ReliaQuest Bowl vs. SEC
Date: Monday, January 2, 2023
Time: Noon
TV: ESPN 2
Prugar Minnesota vs. Kentucky
Duke’s Mayo Bowl vs. ACC
Date: Friday, December 30, 2022
Time: Noon
TV: ESPN
Prugar: Duke vs. Purdue
TransPerfect Music City Bowl vs. SEC
Date: Saturday, December 31, 2022
Time: Noon
TV: ABC
Prugar Iowa vs. Arkansas
New Era Pinstripe Bowl vs. ACC
Date: Thursday, December 29, 2022
Time: 2 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Prugar: Maryland vs. Pitt
Guaranteed Rate Bowl vs. Big 12
Date: Tuesday, December 27, 2022
Time: 10:15 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Prugar: Kansas vs. Wisconsin
Quick Lane Bowl vs. MAC
Date: Monday, December 26, 2022
Time: 2:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Prugar: Michigan State vs. Buffalo
