Update: With Temple routing Navy on Saturday, Western Michigan has clinched the Group of Five's automatic berth for a conference champion in the Cotton Bowl.
Original story
Even though both conference championship games could have resulted in a change to the bowl projections, for now, I am sticking to the current projection after Friday's games.
No. 17 Western Michigan was unimpressive against Ohio on Friday night, opening the door for No. 19 Navy to pass the Broncos in the College Football Playoff Rankings and steal the Group of Five spot in the Cotton Bowl. However, I think the committee will recognize how difficult it is to go undefeated and give that spot to Western Michigan. I may feel differently if Navy puts up a big number on Saturday.
However, with No. 4 Washington prevailing Friday by 31 points, No. 8 Colorado's potential spot in the Rose Bowl becomes an interesting battle with No. 11 USC.
The CFP Selection Committee has been very kind to conference championship game losers in the first two years of this system. So far, no conference championship game loser has dropped below another team from its conference in the final rankings. No team has lost out on a major bowl that it was already in position for because of a loss in a conference championship game.
What makes the Colorado-USC debate interesting is that USC won the head-to-head matchup in the regular season. Current committee chair Kirby Hocutt has thumbed his nose at the concept of any precedent set by committees of the past two years, but I believe the committee will ultimately keep Colorado ahead of USC and not punish the Buffaloes for having to play an extra game.
Check for the latest bowl projections.
