Bowl Projections: Postseason picture coming into focus entering final weeks of college football

Week 12 has completely shaken up the postseason picture in college football. Following the action, CBS has released an updated list of bowl projections for the College Football Playoff and other New Year’s Six bowl games.

Latest College Football Playoff projections after Week 12

Orange Bowl (CFP semifinal): 1. Georgia vs. 4. Alabama

Cotton Bowl (CFP semifinal): 2. Ohio State vs. 3. Cincinnati

Georgia is an essential lock in the College Football Playoff. The Bulldogs will likely end the regular season undefeated. That sets up an important SEC Championship against Alabama. If Alabama wins, they’re in. If Alabama loses, could they still make it in? CBS has the two teams facing off in the first College Football Playoff semifinal game in these bowl projections, creating some serious intrigue around the SEC powers.

Ohio State thwarted Michigan State over the weekend. The Buckeyes face Michigan in an important game to wrap up the regular season. An Ohio State win would likely seal their status in the playoff, but a loss could make the situation extremely murky. Cincinnati is the biggest benefactor of Oregon’s loss. With a matchup against seven win East Carolina and an impressive Houston team in the AAC championship looming, the Bearcats need to just keep winning.

New Year’s Six bowl projections

Sugar Bowl: Ole Miss vs. Oklahoma

Rose Bowl: Michigan vs. Oregon

Fiesta Bowl: Michigan State vs. Oklahoma State

Peach Bowl: Notre Dame vs. Pittsburgh

The rest of the CBS bowl projections include the teams that finished just on the outside of the College Football Playoff looking in. Michigan could have a great shot with a win over Ohio State, but a loss ends those hopes. Oregon was in a good spot prior to Week 12, but a loss to Utah has taken the Ducks out of it. Ole Miss likely can’t make it, and Oklahoma’s outlook isn’t great either.

Michigan State is out of the playoff race, and CBS projects them and Oklahoma State facing off in the Fiesta Bowl. Oklahoma State could have an outside shot at the playoff, but there would need to be chaos amongst the teams above them. The same thing can be said for Notre Dame, who is projected to take on Pittsburgh in the Peach Bowl.