ACC bowl projections: Ten teams are expected to make bowls in 2021
The college football season is less than a month away, meaning it’s time to start speculating about potential bowl games. CBS Sports bowl expert Jerry Palm released his 2021 bowl projections for the ACC. Which teams does he believe will get there? Find out below.
The College Football Playoff contenders
Clemson, Cotton Bowl vs. Ohio State: The Tigers have made appearances in the past six College Football Playoffs, and Palm expects them to make it seven. They lose Trevor Lawrence to the NFL, but have D.J. Uiagalelei waiting to replace him. They also must replace the ACC’s all-time leading rusher in Travis Etienne. Still, Dabo Swinney’s team can never be counted out.
Miami (FL), Gator Bowl vs. Ole Miss: The return of dual-threat quarterback D’Eriq King will keep the Hurricanes in the national spotlight for another season. He gets back top receiver Mike Harley and adds Oklahoma transfer, Charleston Rambo. If anyone in the ACC can challenge Clemson, it’s Miami.
North Carolina, Cheez-It Bowl vs. West Virginia: The Tar Heels bring back Sam Howell, whom many believe to be in the conversation for best quarterback in the country. Howell passed for 3,586 yards and 30 touchdowns and led UNC to the Orange Bowl. Palm doesn’t have them getting quite that far in 2021, projecting a Cheez-It Bowl game against West Virginia.
The rest of the ACC
Boston College, Holiday Bowl vs. Washington: The Eagles finished 6-5 in coach Jeff Hafley’s first season. They return quarterback Phil Jurkovec as well as top receiver Zay Flowers. Hafley’s second year could be even better. Palm has it culminating in a trip to the Holiday Bowl to face the Huskies.
Louisville, Los Angeles Bowl vs. Boise State: After going 8-5 in coach Scott Satterfield’s inaugural season, Louisville finished 4-7 in 2020. The Cardinals get quarterback Malik Cunningham back and should be much improved this season.
N.C. State, Duke’s Mayo Bowl vs. Auburn: The Wolfpack return most of their skill players from 2020, including receiver Emeka Emezie and running back Zonavan Knight. They finished 8-4 and lost in the Gator Bowl to Kentucky. Palm’s ACC bowl projections put them in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl against Auburn.
Pittsburgh, Pinstripe Bowl vs. Northwestern: The Panthers return most of their major contributors from a team that went 6-5 this past season. Palm places them in a matchup with Northwestern out of the Big Ten.
Virginia, Fenway Bowl vs. Memphis: The Cavaliers were a middle-of-the-pack team last season, finishing 5-5. Dual-threat quarterback Brandon Armstrong returns to give them another chance at a bowl. Palm has him succeeding, taking Virginia to the Fenway Bowl to face the Tigers.
Virginia Tech, Sun Bowl vs. Utah: The Hokies finished 5-6 this past year and lose quarterback Hendon Hooker to transfer. Still, Palm has them overcoming this to make the Sun Bowl, where they’ll take on the Utes.
Wake Forest, Military Bowl vs. UCF: Sam Hartman passed for 2,224 yards as a freshman. The Demon Deacons are expecting big things from their quarterback in 2021. Can he get them to a bowl?
Photo courtesy of Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire.