College football Week 7 featured some marquee matchups with the potential to change the course of the 2023 season. While we were treated to a feast of football, most of the New Year’s Six matchups remain the same. However, there’s plenty of movement in the rest of our 2023 college football bowl projections.
Our college football bowl projections are partly a reflection of the CFN college football power rankings and partly a reflection of the current state of play in each conference. As such, they’re expected to evolve between now and the start of December.
2023 College Football Bowl Projections | New Year’s Six
Rose Bowl (College Football Playoff) | #1 Washington vs. #4 FSU
After beating Oregon in the game of the week, the Washington Huskies remain the number one team in the CFN College Football Top 25. For the second consecutive week, our 2023 college football bowl projections pit them against the fourth-ranked Florida State Seminoles, who ruthlessly despatched Syracuse in Week 7 despite an injury scare for star QB Jordan Travis.
Sugar Bowl (College Football Playoff) | #2 Michigan vs. #3 Georgia
The model of consistency, the Michigan Wolverines steamrolled the Indiana Hoosiers in Week 7 and continue on a course for the College Football Playoff, where our 2023 college football bowl projections see them face the Georgia Bulldogs. With both teams on a collision course with their respective championship games, a repeat of the 2021-2022 Orange Bowl semifinal.
Cotton Bowl | Oklahoma vs. Penn State
The high-powered Oklahoma Sooners offense means the formidable, immovable Penn State defense in what would be a Cotton Bowl instant classic. After beating Texas in the Red River Rivalry, Oklahoma was on a bye in Week 7. Meanwhile, the Nittany Lions pitched a second shutout of the season, with monster performances from Adissa Isaac and Chop Robinson.
Fiesta Bowl | Ohio State vs. Texas
The Ohio State Buckeyes land in the Fiesta Bowl for the second consecutive week of our 2023 college football bowl projections, with a comfortable win over Purdue keeping them undefeated ahead of a high-profile Week 8 matchup with Penn State. Although the Texas Longhorns were on a bye this week, they moved up a spot due to events around them. Quinn Ewers faces his former team in this mouth-watering matchup.
Peach Bowl | Oregon vs. Air Force
After falling behind to Wyoming in the Group of Five game of the week, the Air Force Falcons soared back and continued their unbeaten run for one more week. Currently the highest-ranked bowl-eligible team from the level in our power rankings, the latest 2023 college football bowl projections pit them against an Oregon Ducks team who still have Pac-12 aspirations despite defeat to Washington in Week 7.
Orange Bowl | North Carolina vs. Alabama
With both teams winning in Week 7 and both still on pace to finish second in their conferences, the North Carolina Tar Heels and Alabama Crimson Tide remain the Orange Bowl matchup in our 2023 college football bowl projections. Drake Maye vs. the Alabama secondary would be “must watch” viewing material, while a continuously improving Tar Heels defense gets to tee off on an Alabama o-line that has been a weakness of the team.
Projections for the Remaining 2023 College Football Bowl Games
Bahamas Bowl
Middle Tennessee vs. James Madison
* James Madison gains bowl eligibility due to a lack of six-win teams.
Celebration Bowl
North Carolina Central vs. Florida A&M
New Orleans Bowl
Western Kentucky vs. Georgia State
Cure Bowl
Liberty vs. Troy
New Mexico Bowl
FIU vs. San Diego State
LA Bowl
Washington State vs. UNLV
Independence Bowl
Arizona vs. TCU
Myrtle Beach Bowl
Louisiana vs. Navy
Frisco Bowl
New Mexico State vs. Fresno State
Boca Raton Bowl
Marshall vs. Toledo
Gasparilla Bowl
Wake Forest vs. Auburn
Birmingham Bowl
Memphis vs. Texas A&M
Camellia Bowl
Eastern Michigan vs. Georgia Southern
Armed Forces Bowl
Rice vs. Army
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Ohio vs. Wyoming
68 Ventures Bowl
Jacksonville State vs. Texas State
*Jacksonville State gains bowl eligibility due to a lack of six-win teams.
Las Vegas Bowl
Rutgers vs. USC
Hawaii Bowl
Boise State vs. UTSA
Quick Lane Bowl
Nebraska vs. Central Michigan
First Responder Bowl
BYU vs. FAU
Guaranteed Rate Bowl
Iowa State vs. Minnesota
Military Bowl
Tulane vs. NC State
Duke’s Mayo Bowl
Miami (FL) vs. Kentucky
Texas Bowl
Kansas State vs. LSU
Fenway Bowl
SMU vs. Syracuse
Pinstripe Bowl
Georgia Tech vs. Northwestern
Pop-Tarts Bowl
Duke vs. Oklahoma State
Alamo Bowl
Kansas vs. Oregon State
Gator Bowl
Missouri vs. Clemson
Sun Bowl
Louisville vs. UCLA
Liberty Bowl
West Virginia vs. Florida
Music City Bowl
LSU vs. Wisconsin
Arizona Bowl
Miami (OH) vs. Colorado State
Reliaquest Bowl
Tennessee vs. Maryland
Citrus Bowl
Iowa vs. Ole Miss
Holiday Bowl
Notre Dame vs. Utah
