Believe it or not, the Pop-Tarts Bowl has become a postseason highlight for many college football fans, rivaling even some of the more prestigious non-CFP matchups. But here's where it gets controversial: as we dive into the 2025 midseason bowl projections, the landscape of December football is shifting dramatically. With the first half of the season behind us, around 35 teams still dream of a College Football Playoff (CFP) berth, while over 90 others are setting their sights on securing a bowl game invitation—a consolation prize that’s still worth celebrating.
The Athletic is keeping fans on the edge of their seats with live coverage of high-stakes matchups like No. 5 Ole Miss vs. No. 9 Georgia. As we analyze the projections, it’s clear that this season is anything but predictable. Using Scott Dochterman’s bracket predictions as a starting point, we’ve made a few adjustments, swapping USC with Notre Dame as the No. 11 seed. And this is the part most people miss: this is the final year the Big Ten and SEC champions will automatically secure spots in the Rose and Sugar Bowls, respectively. Change is coming, and it’s bound to spark debate.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Former Pac-12 Teams: Despite conference shifts, these teams are still bound by the Pac-12’s bowl agreements. This means we could see intriguing matchups like Big 12 teams in the Alamo Bowl, Big Ten rivals in Vegas, or ACC foes in San Diego. Is this fair, or does it complicate the postseason?
- Bowl Alignments: This is the final contract year for current conference bowl alignments, but it could extend depending on CFP decisions. What does this mean for the future of bowl season?
- CFP Format Changes: The top four ranked teams now earn first-round byes, regardless of championship status. They’ll head straight to the Cotton, Orange, Rose, and Sugar Bowls. Teams seeded 5-8 will host seeds 9-12 in earlier rounds. Does this new format favor certain teams over others?
- Bahamas Bowl Relocation: ESPN Events hasn’t announced the new location for the bowl formerly held in the Bahamas, but details should emerge soon. Where do you think it’s headed?
Now, let’s dive into the projected bowl matchups. From the Playoff games on December 19-20 to the Championship on January 19, 2026, every matchup tells a story. Will Ole Miss upset Georgia? Can Notre Dame make a Cinderella run? And what about the traditional bowls like the Rose and Sugar—will they live up to their historic hype?
Take the Pop-Tarts Bowl, for instance. Pairing Big 12’s BYU against ACC’s Georgia Tech, it’s a game that might seem unconventional but promises excitement. Or the Alamo Bowl, where TCU faces USC—a clash of conference titans. These games aren’t just about winning; they’re about legacy, pride, and the unpredictable nature of college football.
But here’s the real question: With so many changes on the horizon, what does the future hold for bowl season? Are these projections a glimpse into a new era, or just a temporary shake-up? We want to hear from you—do these matchups excite you, or do they leave you questioning the direction of college football? Let’s start the conversation in the comments!
