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Orange Bowl - Clemson vs. Stanford
I am shakily sticking to predicting Stanford to make the Playoff. They seem super vulnerable to lose a game down the stretch, but so does every other top national team right now and the fact that they have arguably the nation's top offensive line, a Heisman candidate running back and senior quarterback is enough for me to take the plunge.
Rose Bowl - Utah vs. Michigan State
I don't love the Utes as the South champions, but I don't see any of the regular season teams on their schedule knocking them off right now and they helped gain some confidence with a nice win at Washington Saturday. Even if they do drop a regular season game, the Utes could end up in a New Year's bowl.
Alamo Bowl - Oregon vs. Baylor
The Ducks are heating up and could sneak into the Rose Bowl or Fiesta Bowl, but I don't think they are going to get quite enough breaks for that. The conference's best non-New Year's bowl and a really fun and high-profile match-up will be their consolation prize.
Holiday Bowl - UCLA vs. Northwestern
For all of the disappointment about the Bruins this season, they only have two losses and have the chance to make major noise down the stretch. Knowing the Bruins, I think they win one of their big remaining games but lose the other and fall to a nice non-New Year's bowl.
Foster Farms Bowl - USC vs. Penn State
USC looked shaky against Arizona and they have two really tough games after they get back from Boulder this week. Even if they drop their last two, I think this is about as far as they can fall as long as they beat Colorado Friday.
Sun Bowl - Washington State vs. Louisville
I am tempted to put the Cougars into the Foster Farms considering USC will be a weird program likely without a real coach, but this will still be a very nice slot for the Cougars. The Cougars should get at least two more wins and be teh best of the second-level Pac-12 bowl eligible bunch.
Las Vegas Bowl - Cal vs. BYU
Relief is coming to the Bears in the form of Oregon State and Arizona State. They will get bowl eligible and I think the winner of the Arizona State/Cal game gets rewarded with Vegas.
Cactus Bowl - Arizona State vs. Texas Tech
Arizona State will beat Arizona and grab the local bowl game.