Bowl projections: Washington State impresses, Notre Dame on brink of College Football Playoff elimination

It used to be some other excellent week for groups within the AP Top 25, even supposing there have been six video games between ranked warring parties. In truth, the one higher-ranked group to lose in a single of the ones video games used to be Oregon State, which misplaced the Pac-2 name recreation at Washington State. Also, no ranked groups misplaced to unranked groups this week.

Wazzu is now projected for the Holiday Bowl in opposition to Syracuse after up to now being slotted within the Independence Bowl. Oregon State strikes all the way down to the Los Angeles Bowl, the place it’s projected to stand Fresno State.

The highest-ranked group to fall used to be Notre Dame, which misplaced to Ohio State on a landing within the ultimate 2d of the sport. The Buckeyes offense is difficult sufficient to protect with 11 males, however the Fighting Irish protection attempted get two stops within the recreation’s ultimate seconds with most effective 10 males on the sector.

Notre Dame does now not have a lot margin for error on the subject of making the College Football Playoff and even incomes a place in a New Year’s Six recreation. The loss to Ohio State takes away one of 3 or 4 possibilities the Irish have to overcome a group within the ratings. They nonetheless face Duke on the street this week, alongside USC at house on Oct. 14 and Clemson on the street Nov. 5.

Even if Notre Dame finishes 11-1, its time table would possibly not hang up in opposition to groups with equivalent data from main meetings, specifically the SEC or Big Ten. Of route, groups from meetings would have a possibility to complete 12-1 because of their league championship video games.

A ten-2 report for Notre Dame might not be excellent sufficient for a place within the New Year’s Six, both, however there would unquestionably be a possibility. The Irish would robotically qualify for the Orange Bowl if they’re the highest-ranked to be had group from amongst themselves, the SEC and the Big Ten, however they’re eligible for any of the video games if they’re ranked prime sufficient.

If Ohio State had misplaced, it might have nonetheless most likely nonetheless had a trail to the CFP. However, the Buckeyes stay undefeated and possibly saved a slip-up within the chamber with video games in opposition to Penn State and Michigan forward earlier than a possible Big Ten Championship Game berth.

So, regardless of the six most sensible 25 showdowns this week, the College Football Playoff and New Year’s Six bowl projections stay unchanged.

College Football Playoff

New Year’s Six bowl video games

That does now not imply there is no motion in other places within the bowl projections. Beyond the adjustments for Washington State and Oregon State, masses of others groups shifted round primarily based on their effects.

Don’t see your group? Check out Jerry Palm’s bowl projections after Week 4.