College Football Bowl Projections: Playoff & NY6

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

**Jerry Palm’s Latest Bowl Projections Ignite Debate Ahead of Inaugural CFP Rankings**

**[CITY, STATE] – October 31, 2022** – As the college football world braces for the release of the first official College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings on Tuesday, November 1st, CBS Sports’ resident bracketologist, Jerry Palm, has unveiled his latest bowl projections following a pivotal Week 10 slate. These projections offer an early glimpse into the postseason landscape, highlighting significant shifts and setting the stage for the selection committee’s initial assessment.

According to Palm’s analysis, the four-team playoff picture is beginning to crystallize, with two undefeated powerhouses and two strong one-loss contenders leading the charge.

**College Football Playoff Semifinals:**

* The **Peach Bowl** in Atlanta, Georgia, is projected to host a tantalizing matchup between the No. 1 **Georgia Bulldogs** and the undefeated No. 4 **TCU Horned Frogs**. This would pit the reigning national champions against a surprising Big 12 contender.
* Meanwhile, the **Fiesta Bowl** in Glendale, Arizona, is shaping up to be a showdown between the No. 2 **Ohio State Buckeyes** and the No. 3 **Tennessee Volunteers**. Both teams boast high-powered offenses and would make for a thrilling semifinal clash.

These semifinal games are traditionally scheduled for December 31st, setting the stage for the CFP National Championship.

**New Year’s Six Bowls:**

Beyond the playoffs, Palm’s projections outline the matchups for the prestigious New Year’s Six bowl games, featuring some of the nation’s top programs:

* The **Sugar Bowl** in New Orleans, Louisiana, is now projected to feature the **LSU Tigers** against the **Oklahoma State Cowboys**. LSU’s recent surge has propelled them into this coveted slot.
* Out in Pasadena, California, the iconic **Rose Bowl** looks set for the **Michigan Wolverines** to face off with the **USC Trojans**, a classic Big Ten vs. Pac-12 matchup.
* The **Cotton Bowl** in Arlington, Texas, is penciled in for the **Clemson Tigers** to go head-to-head with the **Utah Utes**, representing a formidable ACC vs. Pac-12 battle.
* And finally, the **Orange Bowl** in Miami Gardens, Florida, is projected to see the **Penn State Nittany Lions** take on the **Syracuse Orange**, a regional rivalry with national implications.

**Significant Shifts and Analysis:**

Week 10 proved to be a volatile one, leading to notable changes in Palm’s projections:

* **Texas** is now back in the conversation for a potential CFP spot, should they finish strong and receive favorable outcomes from other contenders. This resurgence follows their important win over Oklahoma State, signaling their potential for a late-season run.
* On the less positive side, the **Miami Hurricanes** dropped completely out of contention for a major bowl following a brutal 45-3 loss to rival Florida State, putting their season record at 4-4.
* The **LSU Tigers** made a significant jump into that Sugar Bowl slot after their impressive victory against Ole Miss, underscoring the impact of key conference wins.
* **USC** solidified their Rose Bowl chances with a crucial win over Arizona, demonstrating their resilience in the Pac-12 race.
* Even **Notre Dame** saw their bowl outlook improve, helped by a decisive 41-24 win against Syracuse, positioning them for a more prominent postseason destination.

As the College Football Playoff Selection Committee prepares to unveil its initial Top 25 rankings, these projections from Jerry Palm offer a compelling snapshot of the current landscape. The committee, comprised of athletic directors, former coaches, and administrators, will evaluate teams based on strength of schedule, head-to-head results, common opponents, and championships won, among other factors.

With several crucial weeks of regular season play and conference championship games remaining, the road to the College Football Playoff and the New Year’s Six bowls is far from over. Fans and analysts alike will be eagerly watching Tuesday’s rankings announcement to see how closely the committee’s initial thoughts align with Palm’s intricate projections.

Further details and updated projections can typically be found on CBSSports.com.