2022-2023 cbhsports College Football Playoff, New Year’s Six Preview

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Capital One Orange Bowl
6.Tennessee vs. 7.Clemson
December 30, 8 PM ET, ESPN/ESPN App
Opt-Outs: Tennessee – Hendon Hooker (QB), Jalin Hyatt (WR), Cedric Tillman (WR), Lyn J Dixon (RB), Nick Evers (QB), Jimmy Calloway (WR) Clemson – Myles Murphy (DE), DJ Uiagalelei (QB), Decari Collins (WR), Sergio Allen (LB), Fred Davis II (DB), EJ Williams (WR)
Can Tennessee defeat Clemson without signal-caller Hendon Hooker, receiver Jalin Hyatt, and receiver Cedric Tillman? Joe Milton, a former Michigan transfer is definitely good enough to get them a win but without playmakers like Hyatt and Tillman offensively the Vols will have to use running back Jaylen Wright, who’s rushed for 10 TDs. Tennessee’s secondary has been a weakness and Cade Klubnik, who has replaced DJ Uiagalelei (who has since entered the transfer portal) as the permanent starter, will look to get the ball to leading receiver Antonio Williams and in the running ame with Will Shipley. Projected Score: Tennessee 24, Clemson 21

Allstate Sugar Bowl
5.Alabama vs. 9.Kansas State
December 31, 12 PM ET, ESPN/ESPN App
Opt-Outs: Alabama – Aaron Anderson (WR), Traeshon Holden (WR), Christian Leary (WR), JoJo Earle (WR), etc. Kansas State – N/A
With Bryce Young and Will Anderson not opting out of the Sugar Bowl, Alabama is bolstered on both sides of the ball. Even without receivers and other playmakers Alabama usually has, Young has been terrific at the quarterback position and he will look to continue to prove his skill without four receivers who have entered the transfer portal. Without any opt-outs, Kansas State is looking great for their match-up with Alabama after their Big 12 title game win. QB Will Howard (15 passing TDs) has been terrific since taking over for Adrian Martinez and with the help of tail back Deuce Vaughn (1,425 yards rushing). The wildcats will be a tough opponent for the Crimson Tide but after another “tough” 10-2 season for Nick Saban and Alabama, I think Bryce Young wills his team to a win. Projected Score: Alabama 31, Kansas State 28

CFP Semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl
2.Michigan vs. 3.TCU
December 31, 4 PM ET, ESPN/ESPN App
Opt-Outs: TCU – N/A Michigan – Cade McNamara (QB), Erick All (TE), Blake Corum (RB)
Michigan QB JJ McCarthy was huge for the Wolverines in their wins over Ohio State and in the Big Ten title game against Purdue. Donavan Edwards (872 yards, 7 TDs), who backs up injured star running back Blake Corum, has also proven to be more than capable of replacing him in his role for Michigan. Ronnie Bell (3 TDs) and Cornelius Johnson (6 TDs) lead the Wolverines in receiving. TCU’s QB Max Duggan has been tremendous this season, throwing for 3,321 yards and 30 touchdowns. Tail back Kendre Miller has rushed for an incredible 17 touchdowns this season. Linebacker Johnny Hodges, who leads the Horned Frogs in tackles, will have to step up after him and the rest of the defense gave up a lot of yards in the loss to Kansas State in Arlington at the Big 12 Championship. Without any opt-outs, the Horned Frogs are going to be tough to deal with for the Wolverines. Projected Score: Michigan 34, TCU 28

CFP Semifinal at the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl
1.Georgia vs. 4.Ohio State
December 31, 8 PM ET, ESPN/ESPN App
Opt-Outs: Georgia – N/A Ohio State – TreVeyon Henderson (RB), Teradja Mitchell (LB), Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR)
Without star receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba for much of the season, Ohio State QB CJ Stroud (37 passing TDs and 3,340 yards passing) has been fine. Unlike last season after their loss to Michigan, they have an opportunity to win the national championship. Marvin Harrison Jr. (1,157 yards and 12 receiving TDs) has developed into the target Stroud needs and he and fellow receivers Julian Fleming (6 TDs) and Emeka Egbuka (9 TDs) will play a crucial role in helping the Buckeyes beat Georgia. Tail back TreVeyon Henderson has opted out but the Buckeye’s other running back Miyan Williams has been even better than Henderson (817 rushing yards and 13 TDs). Ohio State’s defense has improved somewhat since the hiring of new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles but will have to be ready for Georgia’s offense led by former walk-on QB Stetson Bennett, who has passed for almost 3,500 yards and 20 passing touchdowns, and tight end Brock Bowers, who leads the Bulldogs in receiving. The reigning national champions also rely on their running game, led by starter Kenny McIntosh (10 TDs, 709 rushing yards). The Bulldogs’ terrific defense was just as good or better than their historic 2021 unit, led by defensive back Kelee Ringo and defensive lineman Jalen Carter. Ohio State wants a rematch with Michigan in the championship but Georgia’s defense should be the toughest one Ryan Day’s team has seen this season and the Bulldogs should return with a chance to go back to back on January 9 in SoFi Stadium. Projected Score: Georgia 42, Ohio State 31

Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic
10.USC vs. 16.Tulane
January 2, 1 PM ET, ESPN/ESPN App
Opt-Outs: Tulane – Dea Dea McDougle (WR) USC – Jordan Addison (WR), Ralen Goforth (LB)
USC had a successful last three weeks of the season (wins over ranked UCLA and Notre Dame) before getting handled by Utah when Heisman-winning QB Caleb Williams (37 passing TDs) got hurt. Williams will be tough to defend for a Tulane team that will play its first New Year’s Six Bowl game ever. Williams’ star receiver Jordan Addison, who has caught balls from Williams this season more than 1,000 yards and has 8 TDs, has opted out of the bowl game. The Trojan’s defense will be the side of the ball that determines the outcome of the game. They unraveled against Cam Rising and Utah in the second half of the Pac-12 Championship Game and will have to deal with QB Michael Pratt (25 TDs and 2,776 passing yards) and running back Tyjae Spears (15 TD and 1,376 rushing yards). Tulane’s defense has played well and are led by linebackers Dorian Williams (72 tackles) and Nick Anderson (59 tackles). I have to pick an upset and this is the one. Projected Score: Tulane 35, USC 31

Rose Bowl Game
8.Utah vs. 11.Penn State
January 2, 5 PM ET, ESPN/ESPN App
Opt-Outs: Penn State – Parker Washington (WR), Joey Porter Jr. (CB), Caziah Holmes (RB), Ken Talley (DL), Christian Veilleux (QB), Rodney McGraw (DL) Utah – Dalton Kincaid (TE), Tavion Thomas (RB), Malone Mataele (DB)
After losing to Florida to open the season, Utes QB Cam Rising has been terrific, beating USC twice. The Utes will be without top pass catcher Dalton Kincaid (9 TDs and almost 900 receiving yards)and top running back Tavion Thomas (7 TDs and 687 rushing yards). Their defense will only be without defensive back Malone Mataele so the talented defense should be able to help an offense without their top two weapons. Penn State’s only losses are to Michigan and Ohio State, who are both in the College Football Playoff. Nittany Lion QB Sean Clifford, who has been with the program forever, passed for over 2,500 yards 22 touchdowns. Nick Singleton has paced the running game for Penn State, rushing for close to a 1,000 yards and 10 TDs. The Nittany Lions defense is always talented and is led by safety Ji’Ayir Brown in tackles with 50 tackles. Without many of Utah’s offensive playmakers, this a game Penn State should win. Projected Score: Penn State 24, Utah 21