Hoosier Huddle's Final 2019 Bowl Projections

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 final 2019 bowl projections:

Fiesta Bowl – CFP Semifinal – Ohio State vs. Clemson

Prediction Since Week Three – Ohio State vs. Clemson

The Buckeyes rallied past Wisconsin after falling behind 21-7 at halftime. The Buckeyes came into the day ranked number one by the committee. However, LSU throttled Georgia 37-10 in the SEC title game and probably passes up Ohio State.

Rose Bowl – Wisconsin vs. Oregon

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

The highest ranked non-CFP Big Ten team goes to the Rose Bowl and I believe that will be the Wisconsin Badgers after they pushed Ohio State well in a loss.

Cotton  Bowl – Penn State vs. Memphis

Last week – Orange Bowl Penn State vs. Virginia Tech

Penn State should still be in the top-16 of the Playoff rankings and be ranked high enough to land an at-large bid to the Cotton Bowl against the best of the Group of Five, which should be the Memphis Tigers

Citrus Bowl – Alabama vs. Michigan

With three Big Ten teams in the New Year’s Six everyone is moving up a slot and the Citrus Bowl would love a Michigan/Alabama match-up

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

Outback Bowl – Minnesota vs. Auburn

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

Minnesota, who has not been here in a long time, gets a nice reward for their 10-2 season.

Holiday Bowl – Iowa vs. Arizona State

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

Michigan moves to the Holiday Bowl at 9-3. They would clash with the third-best team in the PAC-12 for a Rose Bowl-light contest.

Gator Bowl – Indiana vs. Kentucky

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

This looks like the most likely landing spot for the Hoosiers now that the Music City Bowl looks more and more like Louisville vs. Tennessee. After an eight-win campaign, a Florida bowl game is a nice reward

New Era Pinstripe Bowl – Michigan State vs. Wake Forest

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

Michigan State gets bumped up from the Quick Lane Bowl and Wake Forest allows the Pinstripe Bowl to avoid a repeat trip from Pitt.

Redbox Bowl – Illinois vs. California

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

With everyone moving up a slot, the Redbox Bowl is the logical landing spot for the six-win Illini

Quick Lane Bowl – No Big Ten Team Will be Selected