Week Eleven Bowl Projections
Mark Schlabach (ESPN) – Miami vs. Louisville
Brad Edwards (ESPN) – Miami vs. Louisville
Scout.com/CollegeFootballNews.com – Georgia Tech vs. Louisville
Jerry Palm – Virginia Tech vs. Louisville
ESPN ACC – Miami
SB Nation– Duke vs. Louisville
Athlon Sports– Miami vs. Louisville
Sporting News– Georgia Tech vs. Louisville
Orlando Sentinel– Miami vs. Louisville
Stewart Mandel/SI– Miami vs. Louisville
USA Today– Miami vs. Louisville
The majority of the experts agree that Miami will meet Louisville in this year’s Russell Athletic Bowl. Louisville remains the unanimous decision to represent the American Athletic Conference, while Miami has emerged as favorites out of the ACC with Duke, Georgia Tech, and Virginia Tech also receiving votes.
For the fourth consecutive week Louisville (8-1, 4-1 American Athletic) is the top choice to represent the American Athletic Conference. The Cardinals defeated UConn 31-10 this weekend, led by a defense that caused five turnovers including two interceptions by Terell Floyd with one being returned for a touchdown. The Cardinals return home to face Houston (7-2, 4-1 American Athletic) in a game that will all but eliminate one team from the American Athletic Conference race.
Miami (7-2, 3-2 ACC) has emerged as the favorite to head to Orlando from the ACC. The Hurricanes dropped their second straight game, this time to Virginia Tech, 42-24. Stephen Morris threw for 324 yards and two touchdowns, but the rushing attack of Miami was stymied after losing Duke Johnson for the season, rushing for just 28 yards. Miami faces Duke (7-2, 3-2 ACC) in a key Coastal Division matchup this weekend.
Duke made its first appearance in a projection this season as SB Nation had them heading to Orlando. The Blue Devils are off to a 3-2 record in conference for the second straight season, and have already secured their first seven win season since finishing 8-4 in 1994. Duke scored 21 unanswered points to complete a comeback for a 38-21 victory over NC State Saturday. DeVon Edwards had interception returns for touchdowns on back-to-back NC State plays to secure the win. With a Georgia Tech loss on Thursday night, Duke would control its own destiny in the Coastal Division.
Georgia Tech (6-3, 5-2 ACC) remains in the projections for the third-consecutive week. The Yellow Jackets were idle this past weekend before heading to Clemson (8-1, 6-1 ACC) this Thursday for their final conference game of the year.
Virginia Tech (7-3, 4-2 ACC) climbed to second in the Coastal Division and now stand just a half game behind Georgia Tech thanks to a 42-24 win over Miami this weekend. Logan Thomas led the Hokies with 366 passing yards and two touchdowns. Virginia Tech returns home to face Maryland (5-4, 1-4 ACC) whom they have never lost to in ACC competition.
Clemson (6-3, 5-2) was not in the projections this week after appearing for the past three weeks. The Tigers were idle this past weekend before welcoming Georgia Tech to Death Valley.