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2016-17 Bowl Projections Before Championship Weekend

By Zach Bigalke

Jan 1, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban and Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer speak on the field prior to the 2015 Sugar Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban and Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer speak on the field prior to the 2015 Sugar Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 18, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston College Eagles defensive lineman Harold Landry (8) tackles Florida State Seminoles running back Dalvin Cook (4) during the first half at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston College Eagles defensive lineman Harold Landry (8) tackles Florida State Seminoles running back Dalvin Cook (4) during the first half at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /

December 26

St. Petersburg Bowl Tropicana Field Georgia Tech
St. Petersburg, FL Houston
Quick Lane Bowl Ford Field Indiana
Detroit, MI Wake Forest
Camping World Independence Bowl Independence Stadium Boston College
Shreveport, LA Vanderbilt

BEST GAME: Georgia Tech v. Houston

How will the Cougars respond to falling from a possible New Year’s Six berth to a Boxing Day matchup in St. Petersburg? More importantly, how will they respond to losing head coach Tom Herman, who bolted ship for Texas after the regular season ended? The Yellow Jackets overcame their own adversity, winning five of their last six to finish 8-4 after a three-game skid in late September and early October. Houston is the better team on paper, but the dynamics of a team in flux could tip the scales to the Power Five school.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Harold Landry (DE/Boston College)

On a day when plenty of defensive stars are likely to shine, it might just be Landry who shines brightest. While Ed Oliver, Zach Cunningham, and Marquel Lee are all forces in the pass rush, Landry has outplayed them over the course of the 2016 season. Nobody has racked up more sacks than the junior defensive end, and he also ranks fourth in tackles for loss. Most significantly, on his 39 plays in the backfield he has caused the opponent to lose an average of more than seven yards per sack/TFL. Vanderbilt will have its work cut out for it in Shreveport.

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