College Football Playoff, New Year’s Six bowl projections: Week 12

After watching Michigan beat Penn State during the weirdest 24-hour stretch in this college football season, I definitely feel comfortable picking the Wolverines against Ohio State on Nov. 25. But with Alabama playing better (and Texas holding a head-to-head win against the Crimson Tide), Florida State undefeated and capable of winning out and Washington still undefeated, I’m coming off the idea of two Big Ten teams making the College Football Playoff.

That only raises the stakes of an installment of the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry that already feels as if it’s at its boiling point.

Meanwhile, Tulane edged Tulsa 24-22. That once again reinforced the notion that the NCAA needs to allow undefeated James Madison to play this postseason even though the Dukes are in an FBS transition period. Allowing James Madison postseason access would let the Dukes play for the Sun Belt title, and a 13-0 Sun Belt champ likely would be the best Group of 5 team. But unless the NCAA decides to take this easy W, the race for that spot probably will be between Tulane and whoever wins the Mountain West.

College Football Playoff

Sugar Bowl: No. 1 Georgia vs. No. 4 Florida State
Rose Bowl: No. 2 Michigan vs. No. 3 Texas

New Years Six Bowls

Orange Bowl: Louisville vs. Ohio State
Peach Bowl: Tulane (but should be James Madison) vs. Oregon State
Cotton Bowl: Alabama vs. Washington
Fiesta Bowl: Oregon vs. Missouri