Saturday Blitz
Fansided

College Football Playoff and NY6 bowl projections for Week 13

By Michael Thompson

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 19: Head coach Lincoln Riley of the USC Trojans hugs Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans after defeating the UCLA Bruins in the game at Rose Bowl on November 19, 2022 in Pasadena, California. The USC Trojans defeated the UCLA Bruins with a score of 48 to 45. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 19: Head coach Lincoln Riley of the USC Trojans hugs Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans after defeating the UCLA Bruins in the game at Rose Bowl on November 19, 2022 in Pasadena, California. The USC Trojans defeated the UCLA Bruins with a score of 48 to 45. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 5
Next
WACO, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 19: Head coach Sonny Dykes of the TCU Horned Frogs celebrates with linebacker Zach Marcheselli #34 of the TCU Horned Frogs after the Horned Frogs beat the Baylor Bears 29-28 at McLane Stadium on November 19, 2022 in Waco, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
WACO, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 19: Head coach Sonny Dykes of the TCU Horned Frogs celebrates with linebacker Zach Marcheselli #34 of the TCU Horned Frogs after the Horned Frogs beat the Baylor Bears 29-28 at McLane Stadium on November 19, 2022 in Waco, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

College Football Playoff

Peach Bowl: (1) Georgia vs. (4) USC 
Fiesta Bowl: (2) Ohio State vs. (3) TCU

We have some major shakeups to Week 13’s projected playoff field as the Horned Frogs and Trojans are welcomed to the field for the first time.

USC slots in as the No. 4 seed after holding on for dear life in a wild 48-45 shootout victory over their rival UCLA Bruins. Caleb Williams likely put himself in position to steal the Heisman if he plays well in the final two weeks, while Lincoln Riley has the Trojans likely two wins away from the playoff in year one. The road is difficult, as they will host a red-hot No. 15 Notre Dame team that is probably better than USC at most positions other than receiver and quarterback. If they survive, then they will likely take on a highly-ranked Oregon Ducks or Washington Huskies team.

The road is bumpy, but a potential playoff berth against No. 1 Georgia is in sight.

I’ve knocked the Horned Frogs all season, and while they continue to win, I continue to have my doubts that they are a top-four team. At the end of the day, they have beaten every team that is in front of them. They are undefeated and two wins away from a guaranteed spot in the playoff.

Meeting TCU in the Fiesta Bowl are the Buckeyes of Ohio State. We are projecting that the Buckeyes take care of the injured Michigan Wolverines at home, and then finish the job in the Big Ten championship. If Stroud gets hot over the next two games, I expect him to hold off Williams for the Heisman Trophy, while leading his team to the playoff.

CFP National Championship: (1) Georgia vs. (2) Ohio State

Next. Ranking the top 25 head coaches in college football. dark

Home/College Football Playoff