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Notre Dame, IU, and Purdue are all heading to the postseason according to USA Today’s latest bowl projections heading into Week 9 of the college football season.
The Irish are still undefeated and rolling in control of their own College Football Playoff destiny. Indiana has lost four straight since getting off to a hot start, but they still find themselves projected to hit the six win mark. Purdue has completely turned it’s season around after an 0-3 start to win four straight including last Saturday’s dominant win over Ohio State, and now their bowl hopes have taken a turn for the best.
So, where are they projected to go? We’ll start with the Irish.
December 29, Orange Bowl, Notre Dame vs. Clemson, CFP Semifinal
This would slot Brian Kelly’s squad at number three facing the second-ranked Clemson. It would be the first time Notre Dame played in the College Football Playoff since it’s creation in 2014.
The Irish are 7-0 coming off a bye, and while the rest of their schedule is manageable, some could say it’s littered with “trap” games starting this Saturday in San Diego vs. Navy. They only have one true home game left in the season in two weeks vs. Florida State.
If ND can hold onto that undefeated record, no matter how ugly they may win, they’d be in the final four.
December 26, Quick Lane Bowl, Purdue vs. Virginia
Back-to-back bowl games for Jeff Brohm in his first two seasons? Money well spent.
The Boilers sit at 4-3 and may be the hottest team in the country after winning four straight, averaging 42 points per game, beating their opponents by an average of 25 points, including a 29-point beatdown of the #2 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes.
Still, the remaining schedule is tough with Michigan State on the road this weekend, Iowa at home, Wisconsin at home, and at IU.
If they play like they did on Saturday then expectations should be higher than getting two more wins to be bowl eligible, but that’s a pretty daunting final stretch.
December 26, First Responders Bowl, Indiana vs. Louisiana Tech
The Hoosiers had some pretty high hopes after starting the season 3-0. Those hopes have faded after losing four out of five games. Three of those four losses? At home.
It just seems like IU will never be able to get over the hump and get that signature win like Purdue did this past weekend.
@ Minnesota
vs. Maryland
@ Michigan
vs. Purdue
Like the Boilermakers, the Hoosiers have their work cut out to secure those two wins needed.
