College Football Bowl Projections 2019, Week 13: Playoff takes shape

December 20

Bahamas Bowl: Marshall vs. Central Michigan
2 p.m. ET, ESPN – Nassau, Bahamas

Frisco Bowl: North Texas* vs. Troy*
7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2 – Frisco, Texas

December 21

New Mexico Bowl: Southern Miss vs. Air Force
2 p.m. ET, ESPN – Albuquerque, N.M.

Cure Bowl: Temple vs. Georgia Southern
2:30 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network – Orlando, Fla.

Boca Raton Bowl: Tulane vs. Toledo
3:30 p.m. ET, ABC – Boca Raton, Fla.

Camellia Bowl: Buffalo vs. Georgia State
5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN – Montgomery, Ala.

Las Vegas Bowl: Boise State vs. Washington State
7:30 p.m. ET, ABC – Las Vegas, Nev.

New Orleans Bowl: Appalachian State vs. Louisiana Tech
9 p.m. ET, ESPN – New Orleans, La.

The Skinny

Marshall was dominant in a 31-10 romp over Louisiana Tech in what could ultimately have proven to be the first of two meetings between the leaders of East and West divisions of the Conference USA. The Bulldogs had looked like the cream of the conference crop for several weeks, but the Thundering Herd seized control with a vigorous roar.

Appalachian State and Boise State are still very much alive in the New Year’s Six race, but they need some help from the AAC. A one-loss AAC champion is likely at the head of the pack — whether that’s Memphis, Cincinnati, or SMU, so the best shot for the Broncos or the Mountaineers to get a Cotton Bowl berth will be for the AAC to ultimately crown a two-loss champion.