The way-too-early 2017 college bowl projections

Navy vs. Virginia

Dec. 28, 1:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Jack Stephens Field at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium

Annapolis, Maryland

Virginia's place in this game reflects two things; the fact that they could be as good as 8-1 through nine games, and the fact that they very well might be 8-4 at the conclusion of their season. A brutal three-game stretch to end things might derail some of the optimism Bronco Mendenhall has created in Charlottesville.

NC State vs. Texas Tech

Dec. 28, 5:15 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Camping World Stadium

Orlando, Florida

NC State has been strong thus far, but a two-game stretch on the road against Notre Dame, followed by a tilt with Clemson, should bring them down to earth a bit. Still, 9-3 and a bid to the Camping World Bowl seems like a solid consolation prize.

Oklahoma vs. Utah

Dec. 28, 9 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Alamodome

San Antonio, Texas

There has been no more shocking a result in college football all season than Oklahoma losing on its home field to Iowa State. It was incredibly destructive to their playoff hopes, and the guess here is that they lose one more game and end up in San Antonio against a surprising Utah team.

Iowa vs. Stanford

Dec. 28, 9 p.m. ET (FOX)

Qualcomm Stadium

San Diego, California

Bryce Love may well be a victim of East Coast Bias, and it's a shame, because he's got a strong case as the best player in college football this season. A game against the Hawkeyes would give him a chance to compare his production with Saquon Barkley's.

Kentucky vs. Georgia Tech

Dec. 29, 1 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Bank of America Stadium

Charlotte, North Carolina

Of all the hypothetical contests being discussed, this one admittedly has the least amount of intrigue or appeal. There is, however, the opportunity to see Georgia Tech's triple option offense in action against a Kentucky team off to a very strong start. 

Washington vs. Notre Dame

Dec. 29, 3 p.m. ET (CBS)

Sun Bowl,

El Paso, Texas

Here's another unusual theory: the Huskies lose twice the rest of the year, Stanford and Washington State, and end up in the Sun Bowl, where they'll take on a Notre Dame team with decent talent, but not enough to handle Washington.

Louisville vs. LSU

Dec. 29, 4:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Nissan Stadium

Nashville, Tennessee

Should this game come to pass, it would be a match-up of Lamar Jackson, still one of the country's most electric individual talents, against an LSU team that seems to finally be finding some success with Matt Canada's offense.

Utah State vs. Louisiana-Monroe

Dec. 29, 5:30 p.m. ET (CBS Sports Network)

Arizona Stadium

Tucson, Arizona

The Warhawks have a perfect 3-0 record in the Sun Belt, and while the Aggies are only 1-1 in the Mountain West, these teams appear to be on a collision course for a meeting in Tucson. 

Oklahoma State vs. USC

Dec. 29, 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)

AT&T Stadium

Arlington, Texas

This one could be plenty of fun if it materializes, with Mason Rudolph guiding the Cowboys against possibly the most talented opponent they'll face all year – including possible national title contender TCU. Oh yeah, some guy named Sam Darnold plays for USC, too.

Virginia Tech vs. Florida

Dec. 30, Noon ET (ESPN)

EverBank Field

Jacksonville, Florida

Save a wholly understandable loss against Clemson, Virginia Tech has chugged to a workmanlike 5-1 record thus far. That will eventually earn them a date with Florida, in what could be a defensive slugfest in Jacksonville.

Arkansas vs. West Virginia

Dec. 30, 12:30 p.m. ET (ABC)

Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium

Memphis, Tennessee

The Mountaineers were hard-luck losers against TCU, but there is plenty to be impressed with in Morgantown. Should this game come to pass, Dana Holgorsen's team should have too much for Arkansas.

Washington State vs. Wisconsin

Dec. 30, 4 p.m. ET (ESPN)

University of Phoenix Stadium

Glendale, Arizona

The Cougars may well top Washington for the Apple Cup, but the guess here is that they might end up as the unbeaten team with a major gripe about being left out of the College Football Playoff. Wisconsin will provide a nice test, however.

Miami vs. Ohio State

Dec. 30, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Hard Rock Stadium

Miami Gardens, Florida

Mark Richt appears to have the Hurricanes "back," though we've heard this story before. If he gets them to the Orange Bowl against an opponent the quality of the Buckeyes, the narrative will be much more believable. 

South Carolina vs. Michigan

Jan. 1, Noon ET (ESPN2)

Raymond James Stadium

Tampa, Florida

The Gamecocks seem primed to finish in the neighborhood of 8-4, which should still be enough to land them in Tampa. 9-3, with perhaps an upset over Georgia, would make them an even more attractive candidate. 

Georgia vs. South Florida

Jan. 1, 12:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Atlanta, Georgia

The Bulldogs would be a good dark-horse choice to make the playoff, save for the pesky issue of Alabama standing in their way in the SEC. As it is, they'll take the consolation price of at least playing in the same building as the National Championship Game. 

Auburn vs. Michigan State

Jan. 1, 1 p.m. ET (ABC)

Camping World Stadium

Orlando, Florida

Count this as an unexpected vote for Sparty to get into a prominent bowl, as their gut-check win over Michigan may propel them back into a good degree of national prominence.

(1) Alabama vs. (4) TCU

Jan. 1, 8:45 p.m. ET, (ESPN)

Mercedes-Benz Superdome

New Orleans, Louisiana

The door certainly is open for TCU to claim the Big 12 title and find its way into the College Football Playoff. Washington and Georgia both have perilous paths ahead if they want to claim the fourth seed. 

(2) Clemson vs. (3) Penn State

Jan. 1, 5 p.m. ET, (ESPN)

Rose Bowl

Pasadena, California

Kelly Bryant is expected to play this Friday for Clemson, though they may not need him, and the Nittany Lions deserve the benefit of the doubt until they trip up – which may well not happen.

(1) Alabama vs. (2) Clemson

Jan. 8, 8 p.m. ET, (ESPN)

Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Atlanta, Georgia

It's the game that most college football fans want to see, and they're likely to get it. The Crimson Tide and Tigers appear to be on a collision course for a third straight title game meeting.