The latest College Football News bowl projections offer a fascinating glimpse into how the postseason landscape is shaping up for the 2025 season.
As the conference races become clearer, experts are starting to predict which teams will fill the coveted 12 spots in the College Football Playoff (CFP).
Some matchups seem almost certain, but others are still up for grabs. It’s shaping up to be an intriguing end to the season.
Let’s break down the key projections and highlight a few potential upsets. Conference alignments and tie-ins are definitely influencing bowl game selections, maybe more than ever.
College Football Playoff Top 12 Rankings Prediction
The 2025 season has been nothing short of unpredictable. Still, some trends are making it a bit easier to guess which teams will land in the CFP.
According to College Football News, about ten of the 12 spots are relatively easy to predict because of clear conference races. The exact teams, though? That’s still up for debate—and honestly, that’s where the excitement is.
Key Projections and Matchups
One of the most exciting aspects of these projections is the potential for high-stakes matchups.
Take the Mercedes-Benz Stadium Bowl on December 15, 2025—NC Central and Jackson State are projected to face off. This one, airing on ABC, could be a thrilling start to bowl season.
There’s also the SoFi Stadium Bowl in Los Angeles, where Boise State is expected to take on Utah. It’s interesting because it involves teams from the Mountain West and former Pac-12, now ACC, Big Ten, and Big 12 schools.
The new conference alignments give this game an extra layer of complexity and, honestly, a bit of chaos.
The Mountain West Dilemma
One ongoing challenge in these projections? There are just too many Mountain West teams and not enough compelling matchups for all of them.
If the American Athletic Conference (AAC) champion secures a CFP spot, that still leaves several Mountain West teams looking for homes. The need to fill tie-ins with former Pac-12 schools scattered across other conferences only complicates things.
Potential Solutions
To deal with this, some Mountain West teams might have to travel pretty far for their bowl games. For instance, the Albertsons Stadium Bowl in Boise, Idaho, is projected to feature Central Michigan against UNLV.
That matchup highlights the geographical challenges and the need for a little creativity to make sure deserving teams get their shot.
Noteworthy Bowl Games
There are a few other bowl games that stand out and could deliver some real excitement:
- Exploria Stadium Bowl: On December 17, 2025, WKU is set to play App State. Both teams have had strong seasons, so this could be a real nail-biter.
- Raymond James Stadium Bowl: December 19, 2025, UCF vs. Memphis. It’s AAC versus ACC, and it should draw plenty of attention.
- NRG Stadium Bowl: December 27, 2025, TCU takes on Texas. Big 12 and SEC powerhouses going head-to-head—need I say more?
Games to Watch
If you’re looking for under-the-radar games that might surprise, keep an eye on these matchups:
- Flagler Credit Union Stadium Bowl: UConn vs. Marshall on December 23, 2025. Both teams have had flashes of brilliance—could be a sleeper hit.
- Clarence TC Ching Athletics Complex Bowl: Liberty vs. Hawaii on December 24, 2025. The setting is unique, and there’s a lot at stake.
- Ford Field Bowl: Northwestern faces Miami University on December 26, 2025. Big Ten versus MAC—sometimes those games get wild.
Conference Influence on Bowl Selections
The shifting landscape of college football conferences has really shaken up bowl selections. The Pac-12’s dissolution and the movement of its teams into the ACC, Big Ten, and Big 12 have created new challenges—and some unexpected opportunities—for bowl organizers.
These changes show up in the projections, which now mix traditional rivalries with new matchups we haven’t seen before.
Impact on Teams
Teams like Washington State, now in the ACC, are finding themselves in strange new territory. The Independence Stadium Bowl on December 30, 2025, is projected to have Washington State facing North Texas.
That’s the new reality for former Pac-12 teams—navigating a whole new conference landscape and seeing how they stack up.
Conclusion
The 2025 college football season is winding down. Bowl projections are already stirring up plenty of conversation.
There are the big-name clashes everyone circles on their calendar. But honestly, even the lesser-known bowls have their own charm—sometimes those matchups surprise you.
Conference realignments are shaking things up again. It just feels like this bowl season could be a little wilder than usual.
If you want the nitty-gritty details, check out the full list of projections and playoff picks at College Football News.
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