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College Football Playoff, New Year’s Six Bowl projections after Week 9

By Michael Thompson

STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 29: Jordan Hancock #7 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates after a play against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second half at Beaver Stadium on October 29, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 29: Jordan Hancock #7 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates after a play against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second half at Beaver Stadium on October 29, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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Oct 29, 2022; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye (10) reacts after running for a first down in the fourth quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2022; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye (10) reacts after running for a first down in the fourth quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Orange Bowl

North Carolina v Ole Miss 

Previous: Wake Forest vs Penn State

After a few weeks, we’re changing our Orange Bowl projections, as both Wake Forest and Penn State both lost last week. Enter two fun teams with great coaches in North Carolina and Ole Miss.

Where Syracuse and Wake Forest both have slipped up, North Carolina has been one of the most impressive yet least talked about teams in the country.

The 17th-ranked Tar Heels are undefeated in the ACC and have an explosive offense led by future NFL quarterback Drake Maye. Maye, the younger brother of UNC hoops legend, has played like a Heisman contender. With over 2,600 yards passing, 400 yards rushing, and 32 total touchdowns, Maye will be the runaway ACC player of the year.

He along with his team and Mack Brown will be an ultimate challenge to Clemson in the ACC championship. Win or lose, we’re projecting the Heels go to the Orange Bowl for the second time in three years.

After Penn State failed to pull off the upset over Ohio State, we’re projecting Ole Miss, the fourth-best team in the SEC and the #11 in the country, to take on the Heels in South Beach.

The Rebels, led by yet another well-run Lane Kiffin offense, stormed out to a 7-0 start before a loss at LSU. After rebounding with a road win at Texas A&M, the Rebels are on a bye as they prepare for a massive home battle against Alabama. A win and Ole Miss just may threaten for a playoff spot. A respectable loss and we’re projecting an Orange Bowl birth.

Maye and Mack vs Dart and Lane may be the most underrated bowl game of the season.

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