The committee chose No. 1 Michigan vs. No. 4 Alabama in the Rose Bowl and No. 2 Washington vs. No. 3 Texas in the Sugar Bowl. After mispredicting FSU's bowl appearance, our lineup suffered greatly.
ACC champion Florida State will play No. 6 Georgia in the Orange Bowl as a consolation prize. Mississippi plays Penn State in the Peach Bowl to replace Louisville in the New Year's Six.
In the Cotton Bowl, Ohio State plays Missouri, while in the Fiesta, Oregon plays Liberty, a surprise. The Flames beat SMU, changing the AAC's lineup below the New Year's Six.
Which other SEC bowl will go dark is unknown, but we suspect Music City. Louisville left, therefore all ACC teams except Notre Dame in Orlando relocated. San Diego hosts the Cardinals, but the Gator Bowl is possible.
All 82 qualifying and pairings are announced Sunday. 79 teams qualified. Both James Madison and Jacksonville State were second-year transitional teams. Minnesota had the greatest Academic Progress Report of any 5-7 club.
Bowls seldom pick by conference rankings. USC is designated as “Pac-12 No. 4,” yet the Holiday Bowl picks them with their No. 4 choice.
ESPN Events has the bowl game selection if ESPN is mentioned after a team. ESPN Events manages 18 bowls and chooses largely Group of 5 teams. ET all times.