Pac-12 Well-Represented in ESPN College Football Bowl Projections

By STEVEN VAUGHAN, 750 THE GAME

It seems like the season just started, but for a lot of teams, after Saturday the season will be half over! That means it’s time for some college football bowl projections.

ESPN’s Kyle Bonagura and Mark Schlabach put out their bowl projections after week 5 of the college football season. The Pac-12 and teams in the Northwest were well represented in the article.

The University of Washington has been one of the best teams in the nation this season led by quarterback Michael Penix Jr. Both Bonagura and Schlabach have Washington in the CFP with Bonagura having the Huskies in the National Championship game.

CFP Semifinal at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential
Rose Bowl (Pasadena, California)
Monday, Jan. 1, 5 p.m., ESPN and the ESPN App
Bonagura: Michigan vs. Washington
Schlabach: Michigan vs. Washington

Bonagura had this to say about the Huskies.

“Washington was finally held under 40 points in a 31-24 win against Arizona, but the Huskies led by double digits through most of the game, and the outcome was never in doubt. They’ve been the most consistent performer throughout the season with Michael Penix Jr. leading the nation in passing yards. Oregon, USC and Washington State are also undefeated from the Pac-12, which has six top-20 teams.”

For Oregon both Bonagura and Schlabach have the Ducks in New Year’s Six bowls.

Friday, Dec. 29

Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic
AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
8 p.m., ESPN and the ESPN App
Bonagura: Oklahoma vs. Oregon
Schlabach: Oklahoma vs. Notre Dame

Monday, Jan. 1

Vrbo Fiesta Bowl
State Farm Stadium (Glendale, Arizona)
1 p.m., ESPN and the ESPN App
Bonagura: USC vs. Penn State
Schlabach: Oregon vs. Fresno State

Both of these outcomes would be a good season for the Ducks, but it also means that the Ducks have a legitimate shot at making the CFP and making next Saturday’s game in Seattle against Washington that much more important.

After a dominating performance on Friday night the Beavers are back on track and looking to get back in the Pac 12 conference race. Bonagura has the Beavers back in Las Vegas. This time against Rutgers. While Schlabach has the Beavers in San Diego for the Holiday Bowl.

SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl
Allegiant Stadium (Las Vegas)
7:30 p.m., ABC and the ESPN App
Bonagura: Rutgers vs. Oregon State
Schlabach: Wisconsin vs. Utah

Holiday Bowl
Petco Park (San Diego)
8 p.m., Fox
Bonagura: Miami vs. Utah
Schlabach: Duke vs. Oregon State

Both experts were also told to choose what would be their favorite matchup of all of bowl season and Bonagura chose the matchup between Oregon State and Rutgers as a matchup he would love to watch.

“Give me Oregon State vs. Rutgers in Las Vegas. The Beavers, presumably, will be playing their final game as a Power 5 team this postseason, and what better way to highlight how ridiculous that is than with a game against Rutgers, the poster child for how conference realignment isn’t exactly based on merit?”

The season is far from over obviously. But it’s never to early to start looking ahead to where teams could eventually play in a bowl game. Every game in the Pac 12 is going to matter coming down the stretch. Bowl position depends on it.

Check out the full article from Kyle Bonagura and Mark Schlabach by clicking here.

@steven_von