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College Football Playoff, New Year’s Six Bowl projections after Week 7

By Michael Thompson

KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 15: Linebacker Jeremy Banks #33 of the Tennessee Volunteers gets a cigar from a fan after the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Neyland Stadium on October 15, 2022 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won the game 52-49. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 15: Linebacker Jeremy Banks #33 of the Tennessee Volunteers gets a cigar from a fan after the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Neyland Stadium on October 15, 2022 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won the game 52-49. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /
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FORT WORTH, TX – OCTOBER 15: Head coach Sonny Dykes of the TCU Horned Frogs and his team take the field before the game between the TCU Horned Frogs and the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Amon G. Carter Stadium on October 15, 2022 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
FORT WORTH, TX – OCTOBER 15: Head coach Sonny Dykes of the TCU Horned Frogs and his team take the field before the game between the TCU Horned Frogs and the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Amon G. Carter Stadium on October 15, 2022 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) /

Sugar Bowl

Tennessee v TCU

Previous: Tennessee v Oklahoma State

We have another change in our projections for the Sugar Bowl. Welcome to the NY6 party for the first time since 2014, the Horned Frogs of TCU. Under new head coach Sonny Dykes, TCU has stormed through the Big 12. Their rise to the top culminated with a come-from-behind win in OT over the defending conference champion Oklahoma State.

Beyond the expectation that an SEC and Big Ten team will make the playoff, TCU has about as clear of a road to an undefeated season as anyone. A road game at Texas looms as the most realistic shot at a regular season victory. Often we see a surprise team make a run to the playoffs, could this year be the year the Horned Frogs shock the world?

As you saw in the projections, you’re probably curious about the Volunteers.

Tennessee earned the win of the year this week in their epic 52-49 win over Alabama. They’re ranked #3 in the nation and are squarely in the mix for a College Football Playoff appearance. I don’t know about you all, but it’s great to see them back.

This magical season in Knoxville reached a special moment this week, but soon they will face their most difficult challenges. After the high of an incredible win, the Vols will host a game Kentucky squad in two weeks that is thinking upset behind the arm of their potential #1 draft pick. If they survive, then the following week they will travel to Georgia in what can only be billed as the SEC Championship. A win there, and Tennessee is likely a lock for the CFP.

With a loss, their fate falls into the hands of Georgia. A Georgia win means a Bulldog vs Tide SEC championship. A win by Georgia, and I think both Georgia and Tennessee get in. A loss to Bama and you’ll likely see Bama and Georgia get in, with Tennessee falling just short and heading to the Sugar Bowl.

For now, we got the Sugar Bowl as Tennessee’s destination.

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