McMurphy is projecting Kentucky to play Michigan in the Outback Bowl on January 1 in Tampa, Florida.
With Alabama presumably headed to the playoffs, McMurphy predicts Georgia will be the only other SEC team going to the “New Year’s Six” bowls (Cotton Bowl, Fiesta Bowl, Orange Bowl, Peach Bowl, Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl). From there, here are his SEC projections:
| Rose Bowl | Jan 1 | Alabama |
| Orange Bowl | Dec 30 | Georgia |
| Citrus Bowl | Jan 1 | Auburn |
| Outback Bowl | Jan 1 | Kentucky |
| Liberty Bowl | Dec 30 | Tennessee |
| TaxSlayer Bowl | Dec 30 | Florida |
| Belk Bowl | Dec 29 | Texas A&M |
| Music City Bowl | Dec 29 | Mississippi State |
| Independence Bowl | Dec 27 | South Carolina |
| Texas Bowl | Dec 27 | LSU |
| Birmingham Bowl | Dec 23 | Vanderbilt |
ESPN’s projections have Kentucky in the Belk Bowl on December 29 at 1 p.