Week Eight Bowl Projections
Mark Schlabach (ESPN) –Virginia Tech vs. Louisville
Brad Edwards (ESPN) – Virginia Tech vs. Louisville
Scout.com/CollegeFootballNews.com – Virginia Tech vs. Louisville
Jerry Palm – Miami vs. Louisville
ESPN ACC – Virginia Tech
SB Nation– Miami vs. Louisville
Athlon Sports– Virginia Tech vs. Louisville
Sporting News– Virginia Tech vs. Louisville
Orlando Sentinel– Clemson vs. Louisville
Louisville enters the projections this week for the first time, and are this week’s overwhelming favorites to appear in the Russell Athletic Bowl. The projections on the ACC side remain rather unchanged as Virginia Tech and Miami continue to lead the way, while Clemson has entered the projections for the first time all year.
Louisville (6-1, 2-1 AAC) was up 28-7 over UCF in the third quarter, but surrendered 24 unanswered points to the Knights in its first loss of the year. UCF quarterback Blake Bortles threw for 250 yards and two touchdowns, including the game winner with 23 seconds remaining in the game. Louisville travels to USF (2-4, 2-0 AAC) this weekend to take on the Bulls who are on a two game winning streak and undefeated so far in conference play.
Virginia Tech (6-1, 3-0 ACC) remains the favorites to head to Orlando out of the ACC. The Hokies had the weekend off and welcome Duke (5-2, 1-2 ACC) to Blacksburg this weekend.
Miami (6-0, 2-0 ACC) remains the only ACC team to appear in at least one projection every week so far. The Hurricanes scored the final 14 points of the game Thursday night in a come-from-behind, 27-23, victory over North Carolina. Dallas Crawford led Miami with 137 rushing yards and two touchdowns in the win. The Hurricanes return home to face Wake Forest (4-3, 2-2 ACC) this weekend.
Clemson (6-1, 4-1 ACC) enters the projections following a 51-14 home loss to Florida State. The Tigers turned the ball over four times and allowed Jameis Winston to throw for 444 yards and three touchdowns Saturday night in Death Valley. Clemson hits the road this weekend, heading to College Park to face Maryland (5-2, 1-2 ACC) who is coming of a loss of their own at the hands of Wake Forest.
UCF and Rutgers both failed to appear in the projections this week. UCF (5-1, 2-0 AAC) is coming off its thrilling victory over Louisville. The Knights host Connecticut at home this weekend. Rutgers (4-2, 1-1 AAC) sat idle this weekend following a 24-10 loss at the hands of Louisville. The Scarlet Knights return to action this weekend hosting Houston (5-1, 2-0 AAC)