Hoosier Huddle's 2019 Bowl Projections – Week Two

Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)

College football is back! 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 is the first crack of the 2019 bowl projections:

Rose Bowl – Ohio State vs. Utah

Last Week and Original Pick – Ohio State vs. Utah

The Buckeyes and the Utes won comfortably in week one and gave me no reason to change this prediction.

Missing the CFP places the Big Ten champ in the Rose Bowl and it could place a Big Ten team in the Orange Bowl. The highest ranked non-playoff team from the ACC (which will likely not be a great team) gets one spot and the highest ranked at-large team from the Big Ten, SEC or Notre Dame gets the other. Michigan versus Notre Dame could end up being an Orange Bowl decider.

Citrus Bowl – Nebraska vs. Florida

Week One and Original Prediction – Nebraska vs. Florida

The Big Ten’s next slot is the Citrus Bowl and, if possible, they cannot take Penn State, Michigan or Minnesota. I have picked Nebraska to win the West (I don’t feel good about it but someone has to emerge from the scrum) and you better believe the Citrus Bowl would love to have the Big Red fan base emerge on sunny Florida for New Year’s. I strongly considered putting Wisconsin here after the Huskers struggled on offense and the Badgers looked amazing against South Florida. Florida is 1-0 after beating Miami unconvincingly. They are not great but if they go 8-4 or 9-3 and finish second in the East and Alabama, Georgia and LSU or Auburn are already off the board, they’ll get the nod.

Outback Bowl – Penn State vs. Auburn

Week One and Original Prediction – Penn State vs. Auburn

The Outback Bowl cannot take (if at all possible) Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan or Northwestern so that leaves us with a choice between Penn State and Michigan State. Give me the Nittany Lions and the Auburn Tigers (who I am projecting at 8-4).

Holiday Bowl – Michigan vs. Oregon

Week One and Original Predictions – Michigan vs. Oregon

Michigan falls to the Holiday Bowl, something that would thrill the bowl committee in San Diego and likely enrage the Maize and Blue fan base. I have them at 9-3 which is not a bad season but it would likely keep them from a New Year’s Six game and the contract obligations keep them from the Citrus or the Outback Bowls. Michigan had a solid but sluggish win over Middle Tennessee and Oregon gets the nod as the PAC-12’s number three squad (behind Washington and Utah). I feel good about picking them here after they snatched defeat from the jaws of victory against Auburn.

Gator Bowl – Michigan State vs. Kentucky

Week One and Original Prediction – Michigan State vs. Tennessee

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. If so, Iowa and Penn State cannot go. Tennessee has to be booted from this slot after an awful week one loss to Georgia State. Kentucky was very comfortable against Toledo so I’m sliding them up in what appears to be a weaker than expected SEC East.

New Era Pinstripe Bowl – Minnesota vs. North Carolina State

Week One and Original Prediction – Minnesota vs. North Carolina State

Minnesota was unconvincing but they survived against South Dakota State. North Carolina State won comfortably and both stay on course for this bowl slot. IU, Iowa, Northwestern, Penn State and Wisconsin are out for this slot, if possible.

Redbox Bowl – Iowa vs. Arizona State

Week One and Original Prediction – Iowa vs. Arizona State

I think Iowa is going to be pretty good but a slide down the pecking order is going to happen to some teams this season. 2019 is the sixth year of the current bowl contracts and the Hawkeyes are going to be kept out of a few of the higher tier bowls.

Quick Lane Bowl – Wisconsin vs. Boston College

Week One and Original Prediction – Wisconsin vs. Boston College

The Badgers slide down to the Quick Lane Bowl. They are blocked from the Pinstripe Bowl, Gator Bowl and Outback Bowl. Boston College had an impressive week one win over Virginia Tech and Wisconsin beat the brakes off of South Florida on the road. If the Badgers have another performance like what we saw in the opening week, they will be moving up to the Citrus Bowl and become the West favorites.

Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl – Indiana vs. Fresno State

Week One and Original Prediction – Indiana vs. Fresno State

New IU offensive coordinator meets up with his former squad as IU travels to Fort Worth to play the Fresno State Bulldogs. I won’t be picky about any bowl destination for the Hoosiers. As long as IU is playing in a bowl game, I’ll be thrilled. A path to six wins would include a victory over either Northwestern or Purdue, two teams that could also be battling for this spot. IU stayed on track with a win over Ball State.

Dropped: Birmingham Bowl – Purdue vs. Houston

I had Purdue listed in this slot in week one but their collapse at Nevada drops them from bowl consideration for the time being.