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Spring College Football Playoff and NY6 Bowl Projections for 2023

By Chris Peterson

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 31: Head coach Kirby Smart of the Georgia Bulldogs leads his team onto the field prior to the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 31, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 31: Head coach Kirby Smart of the Georgia Bulldogs leads his team onto the field prior to the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 31, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Dec 31, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh watches as J.J. McCarthy (9) warms up before they take on the TCU Horned Frogs in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Rondone-Arizona Republic
Dec 31, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh watches as J.J. McCarthy (9) warms up before they take on the TCU Horned Frogs in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Rondone-Arizona Republic /

Rose Bowl Projection: No. 1 Michigan vs USC

College football fans aren’t wrong when they criticize the schedule of Michigan football heading into the 2023 season. There are some tough road games in league play at Penn State and Michigan State, but the non-conference schedule is similar to 2022.

The Wolverines are loaded though and I see them winning the Big Ten title once again. I’m going to say the Wolverines go 13-0 again, but even at 11-1 with a loss at Penn State, I think this team will beat Ohio State (which I think is undefeated going into the last week of the season) and that, along with a third straight Big Ten title gets Michigan back to the College Football Playoff.

I also think USC wins the Pac-12 and finishes the season 12-1, which will be enough to get the Trojans to miss the playoff after just missing it in 2022.

Sugar Bowl projection: No. 2 Georgia vs No. 3 Ohio State

Georgia is going to be really good this season. There are going to be losses and the Bulldogs will have a new starting quarterback.

I wouldn’t be shocked if Georgia lost a game (maybe at Tennessee) but I think the Bulldogs will get back to the SEC title game and win it. That will clinch their spot in the College Football Playoff and they’ll see a familiar foe.

Ohio State will use its road win over Notre Dame, as well as a win over Penn State to bolster its resume. The Buckeyes will lose a close game at Michigan but last season, they lost by 22 and made the College Football Playoff.

This time it will be closer and based on the committee’s lack of respect for the ACC, plus the parity in the Big 12, the Big Ten will get a second bid for a second straight year.

I also wouldn’t be stunned if Alabama finished the regular season undefeated and then lost to UGA in the SEC title game but landed the fourth playoff spot.

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However, as of right now, I’m predicting Michigan, USC, Georgia, and Ohio State. Will the Bulldogs win three in a row? As of now, I wouldn’t bet against it.

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