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Big Ten Bowl Projections for 11-27 | Hawkeye Nation
ROSE: Wisconsin
SUGAR: Ohio State
CAP ONE: Michigan State
These three seem pretty solid. I think Wisconsin stays ranked ahead of Ohio State in the BCS. Ohio State will gain ground on them, but won’t overtake them.
Now, for the Outback Bowl…
Whew. The drop off in the Big Ten after the top three is pretty steep from a bowl committee perspective. The Outback really needs the SEC to do them a favor and slot Florida from the SEC. The SEC controls the fates of their teams and their bowl destinations directly; it’s not like the Big Ten, who lets the bowls make the calls (allegedly). The Outback needs Florida for a strong showing at the turnstiles. That’s not the greatest boost to the local economy, but it’s important.
So I am going to project Florida to the Outback Bowl.
Now, Iowa, Penn State and Michigan are there from the Big Ten at 7-5. Illinois could be at 7-5 too, if it wins at Fresno State next week. Iowa beat Penn State and Michigan, but that doesn’t matter. Iowa is on a three game losing streak that could have easily been four, were it not for a dropped pass in the end zone by Indiana.
Iowa has one of its marquee players saying after the Minnesota loss that the team has lost its will to win. Not good.
Michigan may be making a coaching change and the Penn State fan base travels better than they do on the average. I think the Outback goes with Penn State here.
OUTBACK: Penn State v Florida
Next up is the Gator Bowl. I pointed out several weeks ago that the Gator is in its final year of its sponsorship deal with Konica-Minolta. They don’t have a corporate sponsor lined up for next year, and I think that is a factor here, as Michigan has a national name. While I think they will be making a coaching change, Michigan’s TV ratings draw dwarfs what Iowa can provide on that front, and while neither fan base will be jacked up to visit Jacksonville this year, the TV ratings for a future title sponsorship for the bowl game wins out in the end.
GATOR: Michigan
Which leaves Iowa to the Insight Bowl. That’s a long way away from what Iowa fans had hoped for when the season started. I guess I can stop right there because there really isn’t a ‘but’ in there.
The possible opponent is interesting, however. The Insight matches up Big 10 vs Big 12.
Here is the Big 12′s bowl selection order:
BCS
Cotton
Alamo
Insight
Holiday
I think the Big 12 is a one BCS bid league. I think Stanford will get into the #4 BCS slot, guaranteeing them a BCS bid. The Big 10 will get two as will the SEC. That means the winner of the Big 12 title game on Saturday is the only team from that league that will get a BCS bid. If Oklahoma wins, I think Nebraska will be passed over by the Cotton for Texas A&M. If Nebraska wins, I think Oklahoma will go to the Cotton.
I think Oklahoma will beat Nebraska, sending the Sooners to the Fiesta. I think A&M goes to the Cotton and the Huskers will get picked up by the Alamo. That leaves the Insight to pick between 10-2 Oklahoma State or 10-2 Missouri. The Insight passed over an 8-4 Missouri team last year in favor of a 6-6 Iowa State. I don’t think they will pass the Tigers by this year, especially due to a ‘compelling’ draw against bordering Iowa.
So that’s my pick right now, the best ‘finger in the wind’ stab I can make. If more information comes available this week, this may change. Just don’t go ordering tickets or booking flights to this game just yet, or if you do, don’t blame me if it doesn’t work out.
If you would like to sign up to be notified of our bowl charter trip information once it becomes available, CLICK HERE. We are once again teaming up with the University of Iowa Alumni Association for our charter this year.
ROSE: Wisconsin
SUGAR: Ohio State
CAP ONE: Michigan State
These three seem pretty solid. I think Wisconsin stays ranked ahead of Ohio State in the BCS. Ohio State will gain ground on them, but won’t overtake them.
Now, for the Outback Bowl…
Whew. The drop off in the Big Ten after the top three is pretty steep from a bowl committee perspective. The Outback really needs the SEC to do them a favor and slot Florida from the SEC. The SEC controls the fates of their teams and their bowl destinations directly; it’s not like the Big Ten, who lets the bowls make the calls (allegedly). The Outback needs Florida for a strong showing at the turnstiles. That’s not the greatest boost to the local economy, but it’s important.
So I am going to project Florida to the Outback Bowl.
Now, Iowa, Penn State and Michigan are there from the Big Ten at 7-5. Illinois could be at 7-5 too, if it wins at Fresno State next week. Iowa beat Penn State and Michigan, but that doesn’t matter. Iowa is on a three game losing streak that could have easily been four, were it not for a dropped pass in the end zone by Indiana.
Iowa has one of its marquee players saying after the Minnesota loss that the team has lost its will to win. Not good.
Michigan may be making a coaching change and the Penn State fan base travels better than they do on the average. I think the Outback goes with Penn State here.
OUTBACK: Penn State v Florida
Next up is the Gator Bowl. I pointed out several weeks ago that the Gator is in its final year of its sponsorship deal with Konica-Minolta. They don’t have a corporate sponsor lined up for next year, and I think that is a factor here, as Michigan has a national name. While I think they will be making a coaching change, Michigan’s TV ratings draw dwarfs what Iowa can provide on that front, and while neither fan base will be jacked up to visit Jacksonville this year, the TV ratings for a future title sponsorship for the bowl game wins out in the end.
GATOR: Michigan
Which leaves Iowa to the Insight Bowl. That’s a long way away from what Iowa fans had hoped for when the season started. I guess I can stop right there because there really isn’t a ‘but’ in there.
The possible opponent is interesting, however. The Insight matches up Big 10 vs Big 12.
Here is the Big 12′s bowl selection order:
BCS
Cotton
Alamo
Insight
Holiday
I think the Big 12 is a one BCS bid league. I think Stanford will get into the #4 BCS slot, guaranteeing them a BCS bid. The Big 10 will get two as will the SEC. That means the winner of the Big 12 title game on Saturday is the only team from that league that will get a BCS bid. If Oklahoma wins, I think Nebraska will be passed over by the Cotton for Texas A&M. If Nebraska wins, I think Oklahoma will go to the Cotton.
I think Oklahoma will beat Nebraska, sending the Sooners to the Fiesta. I think A&M goes to the Cotton and the Huskers will get picked up by the Alamo. That leaves the Insight to pick between 10-2 Oklahoma State or 10-2 Missouri. The Insight passed over an 8-4 Missouri team last year in favor of a 6-6 Iowa State. I don’t think they will pass the Tigers by this year, especially due to a ‘compelling’ draw against bordering Iowa.
So that’s my pick right now, the best ‘finger in the wind’ stab I can make. If more information comes available this week, this may change. Just don’t go ordering tickets or booking flights to this game just yet, or if you do, don’t blame me if it doesn’t work out.
If you would like to sign up to be notified of our bowl charter trip information once it becomes available, CLICK HERE. We are once again teaming up with the University of Iowa Alumni Association for our charter this year.
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