I see a whole bunch of bad matchups for the Big Ten this year. I think only 2, or maybe 3 Big Ten teams will be favored, and I wouldn't be surprised to see a 1-6 or 2-5 result.
The Big Ten's great bowl tie-ins make it difficult to be successful year in and year out.
Insight Bowl, Dec. 28: Iowa (7-5) vs. #12 Missouri (10-2)
If Iowa takes the game seriously and is up for it, they have a great chance. Mizzou has the personnel and scheme to short pass Iowa to death all day long. Toss up game with slight edge to Mizzou because of Iowa's bad finish and probable lack of motivation. Mizzou 24 Iowa 21
Texas Bowl, Dec. 29: Illinois (6-6) vs. Baylor (7-5)
Baylor stumbled down the stretch like Iowa, losing 3 straight to finish 7-5. Illinois is Illinois. Edge to Baylor. Baylor 37 Illinois 31
TicketCity Bowl, Jan. 1: Northwestern (7-5) vs. Texas Tech (7-5)
Northwestern has NEVER won a bowl game, and isn't the same team without Dan Persa. The Wildcats have little chance. Texas Tech 28 Northwestern 21
Gator Bowl, Jan. 1: Michigan (7-5) vs. #21 Mississippi State (8-4)
Defense usually wins bowl games. Michigan plays no defense. Mississippi State is not a great team, but that shouldn't matter. MSU 42, Michigan 31
Outback Bowl, Jan. 1: Penn State (7-5) vs. Florida (7-5)
Two mediocre teams that have been shuffling lineups all season in search of success. This will be a boring, sloppy game that nobody will still be watching at the end. Florida 13, PSU 10
Capital One Bowl, Jan. 1: #9 Michigan State (11-1) vs. #16 Alabama (9-3)
I can't believe that Sparty survived this whole season with only one loss. Alabama is the better team, but will they show up to a non-BCS game? I just can't see Sparty winning this game. Alabama 31 Sparty 24
Rose Bowl: #5 Wisconsin (11-1) vs. #3 TCU (12-0)
TCU has the best D in America, and will shut down the Wisconsin running just enough to make them beatable. TCU 30 Wisconsin 21
Sugar Bowl: #6 Ohio State (11-1) vs. #8 Arkansas (10-2)[/quote]
The only game I see a clear cut advantage to the Big Ten. Ohio State 34 Arkansas 24