Even though we still have two weeks left of the college football season, that doesn’t mean we can’t look ahead to the future. There are still a few important games left ahead of us, but it is never too early to start thinking about the postseason.
CBS Sports’ Jerry Palm recently released his latest college football bowl projections. It is always interesting to see how things change from week to week, but here is what he has listed for the Big 12.
CFP First Round
Colorado at Oregon
For the first time this season, Colorado is in a playoff spot. While that is great for the Big 12, the bad news is that Jerry has Boise State locking up one of the top four spots ahead of a Big 12 champion, which means no first-round bye.
Texas Bowl
TCU vs. LSU
The Horned Frogs have been bumped up to the Texas Bowl after Kansas State’s loss to Arizona State last weekend. And, of course, anytime a Big 12 team gets a shot at the SEC, I am all for it. Expect a lot of purple in Houston.
Independence Bowl
West Virginia vs. Army
West Virginia is one of those fringe bowl teams, and I am not sure if they will make a bowl with their remaining schedule. I just wonder how excited this team would be to play in a bowl game against Army with a 6-6 record.
Alamo Bowl
BYU vs. Washington State
The Cougars have fallen from the playoff spot to the Alamo Bowl, which seems like a big downgrade. But the good news is that if they take care of business, everything is still on the table for BYU.
Pop-Tarts Bowl
Iowa State vs. SMU
If you aren’t playing in the playoffs, this bowl game is probably the next best thing. Who doesn’t love the Pop-Tarts Bowl? It is the most entertaining bowl game outside of the playoff.
Las Vegas Bowl
Arizona State vs. Florida
While Arizona State making a bowl game this season is impressive enough, this team is not a lock here. We could be seeing this Arizona State team in the Big 12 title game and college football playoff if they win out.
Liberty Bowl
Kansas State vs. Arkansas
This feels like it could be a rivalry game, even though it’s not. But what I will say is that this is not where Kansas State fans want to be, and I don’t blame them with the way their season has gone.
Armed Forces Bowl
Baylor vs. Navy
The last time Baylor played in a bowl game, they went up against another military academy and it didn’t go so well. But this is an entirely different Baylor team than it was two years ago. The fact that this team could win nine games with a bowl win is crazy.
Guaranteed Rate Bowl
Texas Tech vs. Nebraska
This matchup may not excite Red Raider fans but I think it would be cool to see former Baylor head coach Matt Rhule going up against a former rival in Texas Tech. Keep in mind that Joey McGuire coached under Matt Rhule at Baylor as well.
