College football bowl projections after Week 3

Orange Bowl

When: Jan. 1, 2020

Where: Hard Rock Stadium; Miami Gardens, Fla.

Projected matchup: Virginia vs. Notre Dame

Quick bite: Perhaps everyone pressed the panic button too soon on Notre Dame? After Ian Book’s scintillating performance at home on Saturday, it looks like the Irish offense has found its groove since an anemic first half on Labor Day vs. Louisville. Virginia, a team we’ve had pegged as the ACC Coastal champion and in this spot since the preseason, escaped Florida State at home with a last-second stop near the goal line. The Cavaliers appear to be the league’s second-best team behind Clemson early.

Rose Bowl

When: Jan. 1, 2020

Where: Pasadena, Calif.

Projected matchup: Ohio State vs. Utah

Quick bite: One of three teams we have projected in the New Year’s Six after three weeks with a legitimate shot at the final four, the Buckeyes are clicking on all cylinders offensively with one of college football’s most lethal attacks from a balance standpoint. Ohio State is extremely difficult to defend with Justin Fields as a run-pass threat and JK Dobbins at full strength behind him. Utah replaces Oregon this week as the Pac-12 champion. That league isn’t going to produce an unbeaten champion, we project.

Sugar Bowl

When: Jan. 1, 2020

Where: Mercedes-Benz Superdome; New Orleans, La.

Projected matchup: Texas vs. LSU

Quick bite: There’s going to be some debate here about one of these two teams potentially being the fourth team voted in the final four as a second-place finisher in the Big 12 and SEC, respectively. The Tigers have the upper-hand in that ‘tie-breaking’ scenario since they beat the Longhorns head-to-head, but chances are a loss to Alabama in November is going to be the setback that keeps Ed Orgeron’s team from the promised land. It should be noted that both of these squads, through three weeks, should be considered national title contenders among the elites.

Cotton Bowl

When: Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019;

Where: AT&T Stadium; Dallas, Texas

Projected matchup: UCF vs. Michigan

Quick bite: Another week, another double-digit win for UCF, but this time it came against Power 5 competition. The Knights blew away Stanford, 45-27, on Saturday behind four touchdown passes from freshman quarterback Dillon Gabriel. The Knights have three options under center now between Gabriel, Darriel Mack and Brandon Wimbush, so there’s depth despite playing without McKenzie Milton this season. The shakiest pick in the New Year’s Six might be Michigan at this point, a team we had in the Playoff in August. The Wolverines haven’t looked the part, but a Week 4 showdown at Wisconsin will tell us more.