2024 Bowl Game Projections: Key Matchups and Playoff Implications

As the 2024 college football regular season comes to a close, the landscape for bowl game projections is taking shape. Several key matchups this weekend will significantly impact the College Football Playoff (CFP) field and the subsequent bowl game pairings.

In the SEC, a crucial matchup between No. 3 Texas and No. 20 Texas A&M will determine which team advances to the SEC Championship Game. The winner will face Georgia in the conference title game, with implications for the CFP. Texas A&M, despite being 5.5-point underdogs, still has a chance to make the College Football Playoff if they can overcome their recent losses.

Clemson and South Carolina are also in the mix for potential CFP spots. Clemson needs Miami to lose to Syracuse to reach the ACC Championship Game, but even without that, a win over South Carolina could secure an at-large bid. South Carolina, on a five-game winning streak, poses a significant challenge and has its own case for a CFP bid.

For teams not in the CFP hunt, bowl game projections are becoming clearer. Illinois, having a successful season under Bret Bielema, is projected to face Alabama in the Citrus Bowl. This would be a rare and exciting matchup, given the historical significance of Alabama and the Illini’s recent resurgence.

Colorado, led by Deion Sanders and featuring standout players Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders, is expected to be a top pick for bowls. If they do not make the CFP, they are likely to land in the Alamo Bowl or Las Vegas Bowl, where they would face an SEC opponent. The Alamo Bowl, with its first choice of Pac-12 affiliated teams, is particularly keen on hosting Colorado due to its star power.

Other notable bowl projections include potential matchups in the Big 12, where teams like Arizona State, Kansas State, and Houston are vying for spots in the conference championship game. These outcomes will further clarify the bowl landscape and set the stage for an exciting postseason.