Before I go through the projections, a quick explanation of how the Big Ten receives it’s bowl berths. As a member of BCS, the Big Ten champion receives an automatic berth with a tie-in to the Rose Bowl. There is a possibility that a second Big Ten team gets selected to the BCS as at-large bid. As for the non-BCS bowls that the Big Ten is affiliated with, the Bowls are not obligated to choose their teams in exact order of standings. For example Big Ten #3 does not mean the team that finished 3rd, in the Big Ten, but has the 3rd choice of all Big Ten teams available. A bowl can only select a 6-6 team from a conference if no 7-5 from that conference are still available. Lastly, I am going to assume the Big Ten will have enough eligible teams to fill their Bowl games.
Rose (Big Ten Champion): Ohio State
Date: January 1st
Sorry Iowa fans, but after a shaky performance against Purdue, Ohio State has bounced back and played well. Iowa losing Stanzi is big as can be seen by their performance without him against Northwestern in the 2nd half. Possible opponent would be the Pac-10 champ, which Oregon is in control of right now. Ohio State can beat the Oregon team that played Boise and Stanford, but could not play with the Oregon team that took Cal and Southern Cal to the woodshed.
Orange (BCS At-Large): Iowa
Date: January 5th
A two loss Iowa team is still a very attractive team for a BCS Bowl. Iowa travels well regardless of location. If Iowa lands here, they will most likely play the ACC champ which looks to be Georgia Tech. Playing the triple-option is challenging cause so few schools run it. However, having a month to prepare for it and the dominant D-Line could go a long way to slowing it down.
Capital One Bowl (Big Ten #2): Penn State vs (SEC #2)
Date: January 1st
Outback Bowl (Big Ten #3): Wisconsin vs (SEC)
Date: January 1st
Champs Sports: (Big Ten # 4): Northwestern vs (ACC #4)
Date: December 29th
Alamo Bowl (Big Ten #5): Michigan vs (Big 12 #4)
Date: January 2nd
Insight Bowl: (Big Ten #6): Minnesota (Big 12 #6)
Date: December 31st
Little Creasers (Big Ten #7): Michigan State vs (MAC)
Date: December 26th
Not going Bowling: Indiana, Illinois and Purdue. All three of these teams could finish with 6 wins and become bowl eligible.
I think either Michigan or Minnesota is getting shut out in favor of Purdue... so the bottom three will look like Alamo - Michigan State, Insight - Michigan, Little Caesars - Purdue
ReplyDeleteIf Michigan is eleible, they will be the first 6-6 team choses because thier fans travel well. It would be better for them to play in a lesser bowl and give them a better chance to win. Little Ceasers would love to get either Michigan school with thier larger Detroit Alumni base.
ReplyDeleteYeah, but can michigan beat wisconsin or ohio state? I doubt it.
ReplyDeleteAnother note: As usual, the Big Ten will get two BCS bids and force every other team to play above their weight. This is why Northwestern and the B10 as a whole struggles to win bowl games.
ReplyDeleteI honestly hope that the B10 #2 gets shut out of the BCS (possible if Iowa beats OSU this weekend!) so that we all get better matchups. Granted, Northwestern almost beat Mizzou last year, but I'd like to see a slightly more fair game.