Updated bowl projections: Big Ten could receive 2 BCS bids
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During a week when only one Big Ten team played and a lot changed in the bowling world — of football, that is.
Oklahoma’s upset of rival Oklahoma State all but ended the Cowboys’ chances at an at-large BCS berth, which helps the Big Ten in trying to secure two BCS bids.
Unless No. 3 Texas or No. 12 Georgia Tech are upset in their respective conference championship games, the Big Ten should get two at-large bids.
With that said, here are the current bowl projections with just one remaining week of college football.
Rose Bowl: Ohio State
The Buckeyes secured this bid weeks ago by defeating Iowa in overtime and their sixth consecutive victory against Michigan earned them another outright Big Ten championship.
It’s still hard to believe with all the success under head coach Jim Tressel, the Buckeyes never have traveled to Pasadena, Calif.
And with USC out of the Rose Bowl picture, this game could be competitive.
Opponent: Oregon
Fiesta Bowl: Penn State
A lot of people have picked Iowa in this spot since the Hawkeyes defeated Penn State.
But the Hawkeyes have been in a tailspin in their last three games while the Nittany Lions have finished strong, highlighted by their thumping of MSU in Spartan Stadium.
Both teams travel well, but the Nittany Lions have a much better chance of keeping the game competitive.
Iowa’s offense has not been strong all season and the loss of quarterback Ricky Stanzi damaged it even more — and it still is unsure whether or not he’d be available for a bowl game.
Opponent: Boise State
Capital One Bowl: Iowa
The Hawkeyes had national championship aspirations before sputtering at the end of the season.
Although they’ll miss out on the BCS, it still has been a very successful season for a team that lost its starting running back before the season started.
Iowa was the only Big Ten team to win a bowl game last season and its postseason success under head coach Kirk Ferentz is well-documented. The bowl selection committees will take notice.
Opponent: LSU
Outback Bowl: Wisconsin
The Badgers quietly have had one of the best runs in Big Ten history.
Almost every year, they’re playing Jan. 1, and this year will be no different.
Although they lost to Northwestern, they travel much better and will bring more money to Tampa Bay, Fla.
But if Wisconsin loses to Hawaii (yes, its season isn’t over yet), Northwestern could take this spot.
Opponent: Ole Miss
Champs Sports Bowl: Northwestern
Say what you will about Northwestern scheduling easy nonconference opponents this year. but the Wildcats came to play during its Big Ten schedule this season, defeating Wisconsin and Iowa on the way to an eight-win season.
Head coach Pat Fitzgerald often has expressed his desire to stay at Northwestern, which is good news for the Wildcats, as he is one of the top young coaches in the country.
Opponent: Clemson
Alamo Bowl: MSU
For all the ups and downs this season, traveling to San Antonio, Texas, still is something of which to be proud.
If the Spartans defense can hold its own, the Spartans offense, led by sophomore quarterback Kirk Cousins, should be able to put up some points.
Alas, the defense has been the biggest problem this season and playing a Big 12 spread offense in Big 12 territory doesn’t bode well for the Spartans.
Opponent: Texas Tech
Insight Bowl: Minnesota
The Gophers avoided the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl only because the Big Ten gets two at-large BCS bids.
The Gophers’ offense has been nonexistent in Minnesota’s last few games, including the team’s second straight shutout at the hands of Iowa.
The Gophers have been below average since their hot start last season, but a bowl victory would be a boost of confidence for a school looking for a reason to fire their coach again.
Opponent: Missouri
Commentary
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Tampahawks
(11/30/09 8:16pm)Report
Iowa will be in the Fiesta bowl. You said Iowa was in a tail spin towards the end of the year. What did you expect when they lose their QB and best running back. Then you say that Iowa was the only team to win a bowl game. Penn State came on strong. Didn’t Ohio State kick their butt in their third to last game? Boy that is really finishing strong. Iowa had more exciting games then any other big ten team this year and they had some of the highest TV ratings. Funny how the fiesta bowl reps didn’t even go to the last penn state game and were hugging the Iowa coach after there win over Minn.
bjustrcon
(11/30/09 9:04pm)Report
The big ten would still get a bcs bid if georgia tech loses this weekend it will just be clemson going to the orange bowl. This just proves you dont know a whole lot plus you have penn state going to the fiesta bowl WOW
B10 Fan
(11/30/09 11:15pm)Report
I think you may still be a little bit upset with that last second loss to the Hawks.
Hawks to BCS, Penn State to Capital One
Chris
(12/01/09 12:19am)Report
If the “big” 10 is favored in 3 of theses games it would be miracle. I see 1-6. With Minn beating a terrible Missouri team. The have no defense and this year a mediocre offense at best.
Tim
(12/01/09 7:48am)Report
……..and MSU gets to be cannon-fodder for a Texas Tech squad that puts up huge offensive numbers and throws the ball around like there is no tomorrow. Great!! Another long afternoon watching the secondary getting torched, and Caper up the middle time after time. MD will be outcoached..that’s a given. Another blow-out. Can you say “600 yards of total Texas Tech offense?”
This is a lot like a Mike Tyson/Lenox Lewis boxing match. Simply a paycheck for a beat-down.
Thanks MD for “restoring” the program.
too bad
(12/01/09 1:05pm)Report
its too bad that osu lost. having only 1 bcs team would have helped the b10 bowl record…now we’ll all have to move up a slot, and get killed.
@tim: i don’t see a problem with our offense. we have a top 3 offense of the b10….
passing defense is dead last…its one game..they can play up. they have great chance to win.
Sam
(12/01/09 4:24pm)Report
im gonna laugh in your face when i iowa goes to the fiesta. you sir are the worst bowl predictor ever :)
Hoffer
(12/01/09 5:45pm)Report
Iowa lost to Northwestern at home when their QB went down and have looked mediocre at best since- case closed- Penn State is the better team right now-Iowa is sentimental favorite-losing to NU should knock them out of Fiesta if sentiment doesn’t get in way
George
(12/01/09 9:33pm)Report
Hey! Michigan State vs. Texas Tech will be a super bowl game – and San Antonio is a great place to be at that time of the year. My wife is from Detroit, and my niece attended MSU. We have relatives all over Michigan. That said, I have two degrees from Texas Tech, so GUNS UP! GO RAIDERS!!
Yes to Tim
(12/02/09 8:38am)Report
I’m with Tim on this.
MD needs to STOP running up the middle on 2 or 3 downs each series. That puts WAY too much pressure on Cousins to make the first down (which is always from a 3-and-9 or 3-and-14).
And, I NEVER thought I’d say this. EVER, EVER, EVER. But, at least John L. Smith ran a cleaner program. Sure we lost every single game, but we didn’t have off-the-field incidences like this! There may have been one or two happenings, but never TEN players suspended at a time for starting fights.
Who the hell do our players think they are? Whatever the punishment on those losers involved in the fight, it will be far too lenient. We should have a zero-tolerance policy on people being idiots.
SalukiJD
(12/04/09 10:26pm)Report
All of you PSU ravers, remember how badly Iowa gave your lunch to you? Give me a break. We are ahead in the BCS, beat you head to head, and will have our QB (without whom we lost) back for the bowl. In addition, we played OSU closer than you did. By any objective standard, Iowa is more deserving!
hawks fan
(12/06/09 12:30pm)Report
iowa will easily make bcs. iowa is a way better team than penn st.
swamp30
(12/06/09 1:29pm)Report
penn state is the only team with such a traveled following,best bowl game record and the most winning coach of all time.they had a strong finish and should get a bcs bowl bid.Maybe orange.