Hoosier Huddle Big Ten Bowl Projections (Nov. 25th)

Written by T.J. Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)

2018 Bowl Projections

Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)

Every week brings a shifting in the standings and the potential bowl destinations. This article is not a reflection of where things currently stand. Rather, it is an attempt to project how things will finish. This is my best guess at the bowl game assignments for the Big Ten and of course, the Indiana Hoosiers (if there is to be one).

-As of November 25, 2018 -

College Football Playoff Semifinal

Michigan’s loss has forced me to eliminate the Big Ten from a playoff position. I think the Ohio State Buckeyes will get serious consideration for a playoff spot but Oklahoma will edge them out.

Rose Bowl (B1G vs. PAC-12) – Ohio State vs. Washington (original projection: OSU vs. WSU)

As the Big Ten Champions, Ohio State will go to the Rose Bowl and square off with the PAC-12 champ. Utah plays Washington in what should be a fun game. I’ll take Chris Peterson and the Huskies.

Fiesta Bowl – Michigan vs. Central Florida

I have no idea what the committee is going to do with either of these clubs. Central Florida deserves this spot but they don’t have McKenzie Milton after his knee injury. Michigan deserves a big-time bowl game but they were just embarrassed in Columbus.

Citrus Bowl (B1G vs. ACC or SEC) – Northwestern Wildcats vs. Kentucky Wildcats (original projection: Iowa vs. Kentucky)

-The Citrus Bowl has a contract to take five different teams in six years if at all possible. That means no Michigan or Minnesota. The opponent is to be the top possible ranked team from the SEC or ACC.

Outback Bowl (B1G vs. SEC) – Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Texas A&M Aggies (original projection: Michigan State vs. Texas A&M)

-Again, this bowl would prefer to have five different teams in six years if at all possible. That means no Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan or Northwestern if possible. This would be viewed as a disappointment for PSU fans but it’s still a solid season.

San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl (B1G vs. PAC-12) – Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Washington State (original projection: Penn State vs. USC)

-Another bowl that would prefer to have five different teams in six years. So, no Minnesota, Nebraska, Wisconsin or MSU. We are now firmly in question mark territory. Most of the teams I choosing between have either six or seven wins and this becomes an exercise in simply choosing slots that each team is eligible to go to.  Iowa has not been to the Holiday Bowl recently and they would finish at 8-4 with a win over Nebraska on Black Friday.

TaxSlayer Gator Bowl (B1G vs. SEC) – Wisconsin vs. Mississippi State (original projection: Wisconsin vs. Mississippi State)

-No Penn State or Iowa if possible. This is a rotation between the Music City Bowl and the Gator Bowl and the B1G played in Music City in 2016 and 2017 so this year will very likely be the B1G in the Gator Bowl. The Bulldogs would likely absolutely destroy the Badgers.

New Era Pinstripe Bowl (B1G vs. ACC) – Purdue vs. Virginia (original projection: Purdue vs. Virginia)

The Pinstripe Bowl would prefer to have eight different teams in eight years. That means no Iowa, NW, PSU or IU if possible. I think a win for the Boilermakers in the Old Oaken Bucket game sends them to New York City to play the Virginia Cavaliers.

Redbox Bowl (B1G vs. PAC-12) – Michigan State vs. Arizona State (original projection: Northwestern vs. Colorado)

Again, they want five teams in six years so no PU, IU, MD or Nebraska. Michigan State’s offense has fallen off of a cliff and they struggled to reach double-digits. That has dropped them way down in our projections.

Quick Lane Bowl (B1G vs. ACC or Conditional MAC tie-in) – Minnesota vs. Eastern Michigan (original projection: Indiana vs. Eastern Michigan)

Minnesota routed Wisconsin to take back Paul Bunyan’s Axe and reach bowl eligibility. Congratulations to the Gophers on joining the fun of the bowl season. 

No bowl game for Indiana, Maryland or anyone else in the Big Ten.