Bowl Projections: College football Week 8 shakes up postseason picture

After another exciting and upset filled weekend of college football in Week 8, CBS Sports has released their updated College Football Playoff field and updated the New Year’s Six bowl projections.

The most notable upset of the weekend was Penn State (previously No. 7) falling to Illinois in a record setting nine overtimes. Coastal Carolina, Oklahoma State, NC State, and Purdue were the other teams previously ranked inside the top 25 to lose in Week 8.

After Week 8, there are some changes within the latest bowl projections.

CBS Sports’ latest bowl projections following Week 8: CFP Semifinals

Orange Bowl (CFP Semifinal): No. 1 Georgia vs. No. 4 Cincinnati.

Cotton Bowl (CFP Semifinal): No. 2 Oklahoma vs. No. 3 Ohio State.

Georgia was on a bye in Week 8, but the Bulldogs remain the top dog in all major polls and in CBS Sports’ latest College Football Playoff field. The Bulldogs take on Cincinnati in this projection. The Bearcats didn’t look great against Navy on Saturday, but came away with the 27-20 victory to improve to 7-0 and 3-0 against the American. Cincinnati needs to win out to make the playoff, and a late season matchup against undefeated SMU will be a pivotal game with big playoff implications.

Oklahoma was also on upset watch against Kansas. Kansas led 10-0 at halftime, and Caleb Williams had to lead another second half comeback to earn the victory. The Sooners outscored the Jayhawks 35-13 in the second half. Williams has Oklahoma trending in the right direction since taking over at quarterback. Ohio State has also been trending in the right direction after a slow start. The Buckeyes beat Indiana 54-7 on Saturday and now sit at 6-1 on the year and 4-0 in the Big Ten.

Latest New Year’s Six bowl projections

Sugar Bowl: Alabama vs. Oklahoma State.

Rose Bowl: Iowa vs. Oregon.

Fiesta Bowl: Notre Dame vs. Pittsburgh.

Peach Bowl: Michigan vs. Kentucky.

Behind Georgia, there are no locks at this point for the College Football Playoff. In this projection, teams like Alabama and Michigan finish just on the outside looking in. Alabama has turned things around following a loss to Texas A&M. The Crimson Tide could be a real player for the playoff if they win out and can take down Georgia in the SEC Championship game. Oklahoma State just suffered its first loss of the season against Iowa State.

Iowa suffered a brutal loss to Purdue a couple of week ago, likely wiping the Hawkeyes out of playoff contention. The Hawkeyes were on bye in Week 8, but remain projected for the Rose Bowl. Oregon is also 6-1 on the season. The Ducks barely survived with a 34-31 victory over UCLA in Week 8.

Pittsburgh has been very impressive this season behind quarterback Kenny Pickett, who is emerging as a Heisman contender. The Panthers defeated Clemson 27-17 in Week 8. Notre Dame took down USC 31-16 in Week 8.

Michigan remains undefeated through Week 8, but CBS still projects the Wolverines in the Peach Bowl instead of the playoff. Michigan’s matchup against Ohio State to end the regular season could very well be a game with a CFP berth on the line. Kentucky’s only loss on the season is Georgia. The Wildcats sit at 6-1 on the year and remain very relevant in discussions for the major bowls.