Michigan State bowl projections after losing to Ohio State

Michigan State football could still be in line for a New Year’s Six Bowl even if their loss to Ohio State ended their chances at a College Football Playoff berth.

At one point this season Michigan State football looked like a team capable of going to the College Football Playoff.

Their bowl fate is in the hands of the CFP selection committee but their hopes of making it into the playoff are done. The Spartans were utterly demolished by Ohio State but that doesn’t mean they’re out of the New Year’s Six picture.

Michigan State bowl projections have Spartans playing in Fiesta Bowl

In their most recent bowl projections, CBS Sports had the Spartans playing Oklahoma State in the Fiesta Bowl as an at-large team. Sporting News agreed on that matchup and venue.

USA Today projected Michigan State in the Citrus Bowl against Texas A&M, filling the Big Ten tie-in.

The loss to Ohio State may not change the equation for the Spartans. It all comes down to whether the selection committee puts them into one of the at-large spots for the New Year’s Six bowl games.

If they do, the Fiesta Bowl seems to be the likely destination with Ohio State in a semifinal game and Michigan most likely to fill the Big Ten’s Rose Bowl slot.

It is worth noting the committee hasn’t been Michigan State’s biggest fan. They had Michigan ranked ahead of them despite their head-to-head win. The result against Ohio State seems to justify the committee’s rankings.

While the scoreline is embarrassing, it’s a loss to a Top 4 team. So it shouldn’t result in free-fall down the Top 25. Michigan will also have to take on the Buckeyes at the end of the season.

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