What a shakeup this week in the ACC bowl picture. Results within the ACC to go along with Oregon’s loss created the chaos. Throw out everything I had last week because the ACC bowl landscape is brand new.
* The Kraft Fight Hunger could be a bowl destination if the ACC gets a 9th bowl eligible team, but only if BYU and the Pac 12 can’t fulfill their commitment to the bowl.
CBSSportsLine Bowl Projections
* The Kraft Fight Hunger could be a bowl destination if the ACC gets a 9th bowl eligible team, but only if BYU and the Pac 12 can’t fulfill their commitment to the bowl.
Fri, Dec 27 2:30 pm ESPN
Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman
Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Annapolis, MD
C-USA vs. ACC No. 8
Projected Matchup: Pittsburgh vs Middle Tennessee
I didn’t have Pittsburgh in my earlier bowl projections, but the Panthers huge win over Notre Dame changed everything. That path is a little tricky with an improving UNC next, then at Syracuse, and Miami at home, but I think Pitt wins the one more game they need.
Belk Bowl
Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
AAC No. 3 vs. ACC No. 5
Projected Matchup: Georgia Tech vs Houston
The Sun Bowl probably doesn’t want Georgia Tech for a 3rd straight year. I don’t see the Yellow Jackets going much higher without a win over Clemson or Georgia, but at 7-5 they won’t fall much below the Belk Bowl.
Sat, Dec 28 6:45 pm ESPN
Russell Athletic Bowl
Florida Citrus Bowl, Orlando, FL
ACC No. 3 vs. AAC No. 2
Projected Matchup: Miami vs. Louisville
Miami is reeling right now. I think they can afford one more loss, and still end up here, but anymore and it could be a free fall down the bowl lineup.
Mon, Dec 30 3:15 pm ESPN
Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl
LP Field, Nashville, TN
SEC No. 7 vs. ACC No. 6
Projected Matchup: Boston College vs Vanderbilt
Remember when people were questioning Florida State for struggling for a half with BC? This is a physical football team that can run the football. Vanderbilt looked good this weekend, but it was only Florida. Beating Florida these days is like kicking the neighbor’s cat.
Tue, Dec 31 12:30 pm ESPN
AdvoCare V100 Bowl
Independence Stadium, Shreveport, LA
ACC No. 7 vs. SEC
Projected Matchup: Syracuse vs Tennessee
The SEC may not be able to fill this selection, but I have Tennessee at the moment against this gritty Syracuse team. Did the Orange grind Maryland into the ground or what this past weekend?
Tue, Dec 31 2 pm CBS
Hyundai Sun Bowl
Sun Bowl, El Paso, TX
ACC No. 4 vs. Pac-12 No. 4
Projected Matchup: Duke vs UCLA
If you don’t think Duke is a good team, you clearly don’t follow college football. They have a real shot at beating Miami next week which would further move them up the bowl ladder. Basically if Duke wins that game, Miami and Duke will swap bowl destinations.
Tue, Dec 31 8 pm ESPN
Chick-fil-A Bowl
Georgia Dome, Atlanta, GA
ACC No. 2 vs. SEC No. 5
Projected Matchup: Virginia Tech vs Georgia
This is a nice matchup in the Chick Fil A bowl. The Hokie’s defense vs the Bulldog’s offense. If Logan Thomas plays like he did against Miami, the Hokies can play with anyone in the country not in the top 7 or 8.
Fri, Jan 3 TBD ESPN
Discover Orange Bowl
Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
BCS vs. BCS (ACC champion if not in BCS championship)
Projected Matchup: Clemson vs Oregon
Barring a loss to both Georgia Tech and South Carolina the Tigers should end up in the Orange. The computers love Clemson, and even just 1 loss wouldn’t drop the Tigers out of the top 14 in the BCS which is required for an at large selection here. The Orange won’t bypass a qualifying ACC team. The Orange Bowl and ACC have been partners for years. The matchup with Oregon is not one I envy for Clemson though.
Mon, Jan 6 8:30 pm ESPN
VIZIO BCS National Championship
Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA
BCS No 1 vs. BCS No 2
Projected Matchup: Alabama vs. Florida State
Jimbo Fisher’s thank you card to the Stanford football team is in the mail. Alabama was not overly impressive against a less than vintage LSU team, but they took care of business. I wouldn’t pencil in the Tide in here just yet. Florida State I would. By the way the rest of the ACC can send thank you’s to for the $1.2 Million each ACC school makes for having a 2nd BCS team.
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