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New Year’s Six Bowl Projections 2017: Week 3 edition

By Andrew Hammond

ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 02: A pylon is seen during the 81st Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic between Western Michigan and Wisconsin at AT
ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 02: A pylon is seen during the 81st Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic between Western Michigan and Wisconsin at AT /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 03: A general exterior view of the Mercedes-Benz SuperDome prior to the Michigan Wolverines playing against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 3, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 03: A general exterior view of the Mercedes-Benz SuperDome prior to the Michigan Wolverines playing against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 3, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Sugar Bowl (Playoff No. 2)

Sugar Bowl (Playoff No. 2): Alabama vs. Clemson
Where: Mercedes-Benz Superdome (New Orleans, La.)
When: Jan. 1, 2018, at 8:00 p.m. ET on ESPN
Last week’s projection: Alabama vs. Clemson 

Nothing changes from last week’s projection and as long as both Clemson and Alabama continue to win, it won’t change for a while. It is very possible that we may see both of these teams be split apart in December so that the possibility of a title game rematch is saved for the title game and not a semifinal.

Both teams validated their spots in this weeks projections with one blowout effort from Alabama and one gritty, blue collar effort from Clemson. The Tigers took down Auburn 13-6 and really showed that they’ve not had any drop-offs when it comes to their defense. As for Alabama, they take down Fresno State 41-10, another ho-hum Alabama victory and don’t expect them to move out of this playoff spot unless they lose.

Week 3 Impact: Alabama should cruise into this same spot again next week as they face Colorado State from the Mountain West. Meanwhile, Clemson has a much tougher test as they begin to defend their ACC crown. Last season, the Tigers were taken to the brink a few times last season but one team and one player is out for revenge.

Next: College Football: Top 50 breakout candidates for 2017

Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson and the Louisville Cardinals took Clemson to the limit but didn’t come out with the result they wanted. Now Clemson takes an unproven QB and top defense to Louisville for a Saturday night showdown with the Cardinals. If Louisville wins, it will mark the third straight week that we will see a change when it comes to playoff projections. Look for Penn State or Washington step in to the playoff.

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