Updated Mississippi State Bowl Game Projection

Nov 22, 2014; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Dak Prescott (15) hands the ball off to running back Josh Robinson (13) during the game against Vanderbilt at Davis Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports

All the games have been played. Most analysts predict Alabama, Oregon, Florida State and Ohio State to make the inaugural College Football Playoff. We won’t know for sure, however, until the playoff committee makes that official announcement around lunch time. It’s anybody’s guess who could be in between TCU, Baylor and Ohio State…and perhaps even FSU.

MSU isn’t worried about the playoff anymore, unfortunately. It turns out it was Alabama who knocked State out – not Ole Miss. So we turn our attention to the New Year’s Bowls.

All the higher ranked teams won this weekend, which was good news for the Bulldogs in terms of ensuring a spot in these bowls. It was also probably good news for our in-state counterparts who were the highest ranked 3-loss team at #12, and likely to move into the top 10 today. Since Arizona and Kansas State lost this weekend, I’d expect MSU to be #8 when the rankings are released.

Fiesta Bowl

Arizona vs. Boise State – this is an easy one. Both are geographically close being out west. And it’s the most competitive match-up since Arizona will likely be the lowest ranked team who will “automatically (according to the CFP rules) qualify”, so they’d play the group of five choice, Boise State.

Orange Bowl

Georgia Tech vs. Michigan State – here’s another easy one, that has been decided for the committee: highest ranked ACC team not in the playoff vs. highest ranked SEC or Big Ten team not in the playoff. I don’t see how Mississippi State could jump Michigan State without playing, other-wise the Dawgs would be going to Miami; as it is we should be just one spot behind the Spartans.

Peach Bowl

Mississippi State vs. TCU – this probably makes the most sense for MSU. It’s an easy drive rather than perhaps having to make a flight to Dallas. I pick TCU since they are out of Fort Worth which is right next to Dallas so where’s the hotel revenue?

Cotton Bowl

Ole Miss vs. Baylor – this would be a good pairing for the committee, and give the SEC vs. Big 12 two games in the New Year’s Bowls….also Mississippi vs. Texas. OM has a lot of fans/alumni in Texas, so that would be good for them.

We’ll find out for sure later today!