2019 Bowl Projections – Week Fourteen

Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)

Keep in mind, there are contracts with these bowl games and just because a team finishes third in a conference does not mean they automatically get the conference’s third bowl slot. I will update these projections each week as game results impact things. We are an IU-centric site so I am only listing games that involved Big Ten squads. With no further delay, here are my current 2019 bowl projections:

Peach Bowl – CFP Semifinal – Ohio State vs. Clemson

Prediction Since Week Three – Ohio State vs. Clemson

After watching the Buckeyes up close and personal, I see no reason to keep thinking they are going to lose a game. I am now projecting Ohio State to go 13-0. If they do that, they will be in the College Football Playoff. The two CFP semis are the Peach Bowl and the Fiesta Bowl and I’ve slotted the Buckeyes at #3, taking on the Clemson Tigers.

Rose Bowl – Minnesota vs. Utah

Last Week – Minnesota vs. Oregon/Original – Ohio State vs. Utah

Minnesota lost at Iowa. There is no shame in that but it does make things very dicey in terms of projections. I think they were a shoe-in for this spot if they had swept the regular season and then lost to OSU. Now, they must beat Wisconsin to win the West and earn a game against the Buckeyes. A loss there makes them 11-2 with wins over PSU and Wisconsin. Is that enough to be the highest-ranked non-CFP Big Ten team? I think so. If Michigan manages to beat Ohio State, all of this gets thrown into chaos. Utah takes Oregon’s place after the Ducks lost to Arizona State. The Utes were my original PAC-12 champion and this would be a really fun matchup. They will have a legitimate shout at the College Football Playoff but I think they just miss out.

Orange Bowl – Penn State vs. Virginia Tech

Last week – Penn State vs. Virginia Tech

This is a major shake-up. Penn State losing to Minnesota means they will probably be below two Big Ten teams and miss the playoff and the Rose Bowl. They should not go to the Citrus Bowl because of contract obligations and it’s a perfect slot for Wisconsin. So, do they drop to the Outback Bowl or get snagged by the Orange Bowl or the Cotton Bowl? If they are in the top 16 of the rankings, I think they get picked because of their fan base. The top ACC team outside of Clemson is…Virginia Tech? Virginia? I think that rivalry game at the end of the season will decide who gets the nod here. If the ACC does not have another ranked team, a “closed door meeting” will determine which ACC team will be in the Orange Bowl. I expect the committee to rank Virginia Tech in order to avoid that conundrum.

Citrus Bowl –  Big Ten vacates spot to ACC if they take Orange Bowl spot

Last Week – Wisconsin vs. Florida/Original Prediction – Nebraska vs. Florida

Outback Bowl – Wisconsin vs. Auburn

Last Week – Michigan vs. Auburn/Original Prediction – Penn State vs. Auburn

The Big Ten vacates their Citrus Bowl spot if they land a team in the Orange Bowl. That means Wisconsin’s head-to-head win over Michigan moves them to the Outback Bowl to take on Auburn.

Holiday Bowl – Michigan vs. Oregon

Last Week – Iowa vs. Utah/Original Prediction – Michigan vs. Oregon

Michigan moves to the Holiday Bowl at 9-3. They would clash with the second-best team in the PAC-12 for a Rose Bowl-light contest that would be one of the better non-NY6 games.

Music City Bowl – Indiana vs. Kentucky

Last Week – Indiana vs. Tennessee/Original Prediction – Michigan State vs. Tennessee

I will be the first to tell you that I do not understand why this is possible. Why have contracts if they don’t matter? Here is what I wrote in last week’s edition: “The Big Ten goes to either the Gator Bowl or the Music City Bowl, three appearances each in six years. The Big Ten played in the Music City for three straight years so it seems very probable that this slot will be the Gator Bowl.” I have read and heard that the Music City Bowl/Nashville would love to “work something out” to get Indiana to Nashville. There’s enough smoke that I have to change my pick. I think beating Purdue and finishing 8-4 sends IU to Nashville. Losing to Purdue may relegate IU out west to the Redbox Bowl. How about a clash against Kentucky in Nashville? Sign me up!

New Era Pinstripe Bowl – Illinois vs. Pittsburgh

Last Week – Illinois vs. Pittsburgh/Original Prediction – Minnesota vs. North Carolina State

IU, Iowa, Northwestern, Penn State and Wisconsin are out for this slot, if possible. Illinois beat Michigan State and look likely to get 7 wins. Their prize is a trip to New York City to take on Pat Narduzzi and the Panthers.

Redbox Bowl – Iowa vs. Arizona State

Last Week – MSU vs. Stanford/Original Prediction – Iowa vs. Arizona State

Iowa deserves a bit better than a slot this low but this would be a fun matchup against a hot Arizona State team.

Quick Lane Bowl – Michigan State vs. Florida State

This would be a really big “brand” matchup for this game hosted in Detroit. The Spartans need to beat Maryland to get there.