Hoosier Huddle's 2020 Big Ten Bowl Projections (12/7)

Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)

The following Big Ten Bowl Projections are for the week of December 7, 2020. I am projecting out how I think the rest of the season will go and where each Big Ten team, including Indiana, will be placed. Please note, the Quick Lane Bowl (ties with Big Ten and ACC) and Pinstripe Bowl will not be played this season.

Rose Bowl - #2 Clemson vs. #3 Ohio State (CFP Semifinal)

Last Week – Rose Bowl – OSU vs. Clemson

Ohio State is clinging to this spot for now. Another cancellation would also mean the Buckeyes are not eligible to represent the Big Ten East in the Big Ten Championship game. My projection is that Ohio State plays their final two regular season games, wins them both comfortably and then blasts Northwestern in the Big Ten Championship game. Clemson beats Notre Dame in the ACC Championship game and gets the #2 seed and Notre Dame gets the #4 seed and plays Alabama. Another OSU cancellation throws everything, including where IU could land, into complete chaos. Unless, the Big Ten changes the rules for Championship-game eligibility and allows the Buckeyes to compete for the conference title despite not meeting the initial criteria. This seems inevitable, does it not?

Fiesta Bowl – Indiana vs. USC

Last week – Northwestern vs. USC

The Rose Bowl is a CFP semifinal so we’ll get our Big Ten versus PAC-12 matchup in the Fiesta Bowl instead. I’m all aboard the hype train. Despite the injury to Michael Penix, I think the Hoosiers can go 7-1 in the regular season and then beat Iowa in the second place crossover game. Indiana took care of one huge hurdle as they won at Wisconsin and jumped into the top ten of polls again. The Fiesta Bowl will get to select at-large teams and taking the PAC-12 champion and the Big Ten’s second best team which only has a seven-point loss to Ohio State and is a great story is a terrific option for them.

Citrus Bowl – Northwestern vs. Georgia – January 1 in Orlando, Florida

Last Week – Citrus Bowl – IU vs. Georgia

Northwestern’s loss to Michigan State is extremely damaging for the Wildcats hopes of a New Year’s Six bowl. If their only other loss is to Ohio State on December 19, I’ll slot them into the Citrus Bowl to get mauled by Georgia.

Outback Bowl – Iowa vs. Auburn

Last Week – Outback Bowl – Wisconsin vs. Auburn

The Badgers are now 2-2 so we kind of have to drop them down a notch at this point. Iowa has played extremely well recently and just handled Illinois. They could be a top 15 team heading into Championship Saturday.

Duke’s Mayo Bowl – Wisconsin vs. North Carolina

Last Week – Iowa vs. North Carolina

Formerly the Belk Bowl, this game is in Charlotte. The Badgers dropped to 2-2 as IU’s defense manhandled them and took a 14-6 win. They need a pair of wins to close the season at 4-2 and get in to this game.

Music City Bowl – Maryland vs. Arkansas

Last Week – Maryland vs. Arkansas

The Terrapins are 2-2 after getting handled by the Hoosiers in Bloomington. They now get Rutgers after their game against Michigan was cancelled. I think they win both of those games and finish 4-2 before the crossover game.

Pinstripe Bowl - CANCELLED

Last Week – Purdue vs. Boston College

The Pinstripe Bowl has been cancelled, joining the Motor City Bowl as Big Ten bowl games that have been called off. Which bowl game steps in to take a Big Ten team is anyone’s guess.

Guaranteed Rate/Cactus Bowl – Rutgers vs. Baylor

Last Week – Minnesota vs. Kansas State

Someone has to play this game and since there is no actual selection criteria to meet this year, why not Rutgers? They beat Purdue, have two Big Ten wins and are fun to watch. Reward the Scarlet Knights for their vast improvement…they would at least love to be there.