College football bowl predictions: Playoff, New Year's picks entering Week 1

Making our early predictions for the college football bowl season as we move into Week 1 of the season this weekend

The 2023 college football season will be the last as we have known the sport. It will be the final year we have a four-team playoff before the postseason expands to 12 teams, the last with the concept of a New Year's Six bowl game, and the last with anything resembling the Pac-12 as that conference looks to be doomed after another dramatic round of realignment.

This year's postseason kicks off on Dec. 16 with seven bowl games on tap and runs through Jan. 8 to determine the national championship live from Houston. The semifinal games, at the Rose Bowl and the Sugar Bowl, will take place on New Year's Day.

Related: College football bowl schedule for 2023-24 games

With the season itself only just kicking off this week, College Football HQ makes our early predictions for how the big bowl games might shake out this postseason.

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Cotton Bowl prediction

USC quarterback Caleb Williams / USA Today Images

The game: USC vs. Texas

The word: Our first look at the Trojans defense still left a lot to be desired, in the opener allowing over 200 rushing yards and some big plays downfield to San Jose State, a weakness that should still keep this team out of the College Football Playoff, even considering its prolific offense. We project the Longhorns will pull out the Big 12 title in their final year before departing for the SEC.

Early game pick: USC

Peach Bowl prediction

LSU won the SEC West a year ago / USA Today Images

The game: LSU vs. Tulane

The word: We project LSU will finish second in the SEC West title race this season with games against Florida State and Alabama in road atmospheres that can go either way, but this is still one of the most talented teams in the nation top to bottom with a ton of returning talent. Tulane is our favorite from the Group of Five, returning Michael Pratt at quarterback and the AAC's best offensive line. 

Early game pick: LSU

Orange Bowl prediction

Ohio State is a playoff favorite, but Michigan stands in the way / USA Today Images

The game: Ohio State vs. Florida State

The word: We predict the Buckeyes will fall to Michigan a third straight time and fall out of the playoff race as a result, drawing instead what would still be an intriguing matchup against our projected ACC title game loser, the Seminoles and their highly experienced roster of playmakers.

Early game pick: Florida State

Fiesta Bowl prediction

Washington brings back one of college football's top offenses / USA Today Images

The game: Washington vs. Penn State

The word: Penn State is projected to finish a strong third out of the Big Ten once again behind OSU and Michigan, but has the firepower to earn a New Year's bowl bid with a potent rushing attack behind a solid line, and one of the nation's better pass rushes. That will be a crucial tool against a Huskies offense powered by Michael Penix and his two 1,000-yard receivers coming back.

Early game pick: Penn State

College Football Playoff prediction

Georgia is the favorite to three-peat as national champs / USA Today Images

1. Georgia
2. Michigan
3. Alabama
4. Clemson

Rose Bowl: Michigan vs. Alabama. A solid Big Ten vs. SEC matchup in Pasadena and, unlike most, this one should be pretty close, but ultimately the Tide's front seven should prove a more sturdy wall against Michigan's powerful backs.

Sugar Bowl: Georgia vs. Clemson. We project Clemson will win the ACC title and return to the playoff behind an improved offense under Garrett Riley's leadership and a test against the Georgia team that it lost to in Week 1 two years ago and helped put the Tigers on the slide that kept them from the playoff ever since.

National Championship Game: Georgia vs. Alabama. The SEC will make it 14 of the last 18 national titles in a rematch of two other CFP natties (series split 1-1), and this game will be ground zero to see if the sport's prevailing dynasty can make a stand against the new one.

College Football HQ National Champion: "Not so fast," as Lee Corso would say to that dynastic question. History will be made as Georgia becomes college football's first three-peat since the 1930s.

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