Thursday updates:
• I’m told UCF is headed to the Gasparilla Bowl in Tampa, where its most likely opponent is … Florida. It’s possible the Gators get picked by a higher SEC bowl, but of the 6-6 SEC teams, Auburn (which I have in the Liberty Bowl) will likely be more desirable because it doesn’t have an interim coach. LSU does, but it at least ended the regular season with a big win.
• I’d previously slotted Virginia Tech in the Military Bowl, but I’m hearing the Pinstripe Bowl, which picks one spot higher, is interested in the Hokies. Virginia would then go to Annapolis.
Previous updates:
• Ohio State will almost certainly go to the Rose Bowl if Michigan moves up to the Playoff. There had been some speculation that the Rose Bowl might deviate from taking the highest-ranked Big Ten team if it meant avoiding an Oregon-Ohio State rematch, but I’m told that would not happen.
