Bowl Projection Round-Up, Week 11
Mark Schlabach (ESPN): Georgia vs. Ohio State
Brett McMurphy (ESPN): Ole Miss vs. Ohio State
ESPN Big Ten & SEC Blog: Ole Miss vs. Iowa
Jerry Palm (CBSSports): Georgia vs. Maryland
Bill Bender (Sporting News): Georgia vs. Wisconsin
Brant Parsons (Orlando Sentinel): Missouri vs. Duke
Phil Steele: Georgia vs. Wisconsin
After appearing just once in the week ten bowl predictions, No. 20 Georgia (6-2, 4-2 SEC) has become the favorite team to fill the SEC spot on New Year’s Day in Orlando – four college football experts are projecting its appearance. The Bulldogs suffered a loss in week ten to conference opponent Florida and now stand in second place in the SEC East division behind Missouri. Possible opponents include Ohio State (7-1, 4-0 Big Ten) and Wisconsin (6-2, 3-1 Big Ten) – both are projections that have been made throughout the 2014 season.
A new matchup appearing in week 11 is Georgia vs. Big Ten newcomer Maryland (6-3, 3-2 Big Ten). The Bulldogs and Terrapins have not played since 1973. Georgia earned the 17-16 victory for its second win in the series history, while Maryland has the advantage in the overall record at 3-2-1.
Reappearing in projections for the first time since week six of the season is Missouri (7-2, 4-2 SEC). The Tigers defeated Kentucky last Saturday and have a bye in week 11. Brant Parsons predicts that Missouri will face No. 22 Duke (7-1, 3-1 ACC) on New Year’s Day. The Blue Devils, who appear in Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl projections for the first time this season, won in double overtime in week 10 against Pitt; they outscored the Panthers 51-48.
ESPN analysts predict that No. 11 Ole Miss could face Ohio State or Iowa come January 1. The Rebels suffered their second loss of the season last Saturday to Auburn and now stand in fourth place in the SEC West division. Iowa, who appears in the projections for the first time this season, defeated Big Ten West opponent Northwestern in week ten. Iowa last made a trip to Orlando in 2005 – the Hawkeyes upset LSU 30-25 when they scored a game-winning touchdown as time expired. This would be the first time in the history of their programs that Iowa and Ole Miss would meet on the football field.