New Year's 6 Bowl Projections

By Camden Joiner on December 13, 2014

The BCS is gone, but the four BCS bowl games are still relevant. The Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Fiesta Bowl and Orange Bowl, paired with the Cotton and Peach, now make up the newly prestigious New Year’s 6 Bowl Games.

Every year the semi-finals will take place at two of these respective bowl games. This year the Rose and the Sugar Bowl will each hold a semi-final match-up in college football’s first ever playoff system. The other non semi-final bowls will feature showdowns between other elite teams from across the country.

Image via collegesportsblog.dallasnews.com

Peach BowlOle Miss vs TCU

This Peach Bowl Atlanta showdown will be an old-fashioned match-up of offense versus defense. Big XII representative TCU narrowly missed a place in the semi-finals and surely they’ll be ready to take out their anger on the Rebels.

TCU’s offense, led by quarterback Trevone Boykin, has scored at least 30 points every game this season. Head coach Gary Patterson always seems to have the Horned Frogs’ offense clicking and they’re coming off a 52-point victory over Iowa State.

However, TCU hasn’t faced an SEC defense this season. Ole Miss’ D ranks among the best in the SEC, a conference famous for its defensive prowess. Robert Nkemdiche is one of the best young defensive ends in the NCAA and Trevone Boykin will be seeing plenty of him come December 31.

As past champions will certainly tell you, it’s the defense that wins championships, and that’s the reason I think Ole Miss wins a close one here.

PredictionOle Miss

Image via sportbet.com

Fiesta BowlArizona vs Boise State

Probably the least enticing of the New Year’s 6 Bowl games, the Fiesta Bowl features a clash between the PAC-12 South division champion and the winner of the Mountain West conference.

Boise State has been under the radar since losing head coach Chris Petersen, but the Broncos are back in their favorite bowl game. Boise State famously upset Oklahoma in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl with a perfectly executed Statue of Liberty play.

That being said, this isn’t the same Boise State of old under Chris Petersen. The Broncos even suffered a loss to Air Force earlier in the season, while Rich Rodriguez has Arizona in the best form in recent memory. The PAC-12 is anxious to prove they’re better than the SEC and I think Arizona helps with a blowout victory over Boise State after a tough loss versus Oregon.

PredictionArizona

Image via maroonandwhitenation.com

Orange BowlGeorgia Tech vs Mississippi State

Georgia Tech has surprised many this season with an admirable record, even playing Florida State close in the ACC Championship game and beating Georgia in Athens. However, this Yellow Jacket offense is very one-dimensional and Dan Mullen will have plenty of time to prepare for their predominately run offense.

As for the Jacket’s defense, I don’t see them slowing down All-SEC quarterback Dak Prescott anytime soon. With several weeks to prepare before bowl season, the best coach often wins and I would like Dan Mullen to get the best of Paul Johnson in this ACC vs SEC match-up.

PredictionMississippi State

Image via bleacherreport.com

Cotton BowlBaylor vs Michigan State

Similar to Baylor’s rival TCU, this is another great match-up of offense versus defense. Baylor head coach Art Briles is one of the best offensive gurus in the nation and quarterback Bryce Petty should be ready to go by New Year’s Day.

Michigan State, while still owning a formidable defense, doesn’t hold the same talent as last year’s play-making D and it will certainly show against the Bears.

Baylor will have a chip on their shoulder after just missing out on the college football playoff and will have something to prove. Meanwhile, I think Michigan State is happy just to earn a spot and I don’t think Connor Cook and the Spartan offense will be able to keep up with Petty and the Bears.

PredictionBaylor

Image via bleacherreport.com

Rose BowlOregon vs Florida State

Quite frankly, I think this one is going to get ugly. Florida State has somehow managed to find a way to win in each of their games this season, but their competition has been far from elite. I think Oregon, led by Heisman favorite Marcus Mariota, is the best team in the nation.

Jameis Winston continues to be inconsistent all season and this underrated Oregon defense will make him pay. Mariota, on the other hand, has been nothing if consistent and has done a great job of limiting his turnovers throughout the season.

Florida State lost most of their defensive stars to the NFL Draft last year and because of it they are a different, worse team. Winston’s mistakes and inevitable turnovers will doom the Noles in California.

PredictionOregon

Image via bamahammer.com

Sugar BowlAlabama vs Ohio State

Urban Meyer is back in New Orleans once again, but this time he’s wearing Buckeye red. Ohio State beat the odds by winning out and securing the final spot in the college football playoff. However, they’ve lost their top two quarterbacks on the depth chart and while that didn’t seem much of an issue versus Wisconsin, it will absolutely be a problem against Alabama.

Landon Collins is the best safety in the nation and he will be looking to ball hawk Cardale Jones’ passes all night long. While I think this particular SEC vs Big 10 match-up will be closer than recent years, I think Alabama’s talent will be too much paired with Ohio State’s unfortunate injuries.

PredictionAlabama

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