College Football Playoff, 2022 New Year’s Six projections after Week 2

Orange Bowl: Miami v Michigan State 

Previous Week: Miami v Notre Dame 

After an embarrassing loss at home to Marshall, Notre Dame would likely need to run the table just to have a chance at a NY6 bowl. We don’t see that happening, so out with the Irish, and welcome to Orange Bowl Michigan State.

The Spartans are 2-0 and find themselves heading up to Seattle this week for a big-time game on the road against the Washington Huskies. While the PAC-12 may not always get the love, this Husky team looks improved under first-year coach Kalen Deboer, and Husky Stadium can be the loudest stadium in college football when it wants to be.

While a win against the Spartans would get Washington back on track as a program, a win on the road would likely put Mel Tucker’s program on the fast track to another NY6 appearance. With a victory over Washington, the Spartans’ schedule opens up and essentially becomes a three-game battle against Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State. If the Spartans can go 1-2 in those games, they’ll be in Miami for the Orange Bowl.

Projected to meet the Irish in the Orange Bowl is the projected ACC champion Miami Hurricanes.

I’m continuing to roll with Mario Cristobal and the U. The Hurricanes have yet to be tested but will face a possible upset Texas A&M on the road this week in a game that will really show where these two programs are at, and where they are heading. I still have my doubts about Clemson’s offense, so Miami is projected to win the ACC and get the Orange Bowl home game.