Rosy Outlook: 5 Possible Bowl Destinations for Ohio State in 2010

Last week, Ohio State's chance at a national title took a severe hit with a lopsided loss to Wisconsin that only the Badgers saw coming. The Buckeyes responded to their first loss of the season by reasserting themselves in the Big Ten, thrashing Purdue at home, 49-0. 

And while it is possible the Buckeyes could sneak back into the national title discussion—a la 2007 when they played LSU in the Sugar Bowl after everyone ahead of them somehow lost—it isn't likely.

Here are five more plausible bowl games and opponents that Ohio State could face after the smoke clears on the 2010 college football season.

1. Rose Bowl Vs. Stanford

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PALO ALTO, CA - OCTOBER 23: Stepfan Taylor #33 of the Stanford Cardinal runs the ball against the Washington State Cougars at Stanford Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

This may be one of the more unlikely scenarios for Ohio State, as it requires that the Buckeyes not only win out but also that other teams in the Big Ten (Wisconsin, Michigan State) lose, in addition to Oregon winning out and playing in the BCS national championship. Stanford, of course, would have to win out as well.  This scenario is not totally impossible, as Ohio State could very well win out and so could Stanford and Oregon. 

However, Michigan State has the inside track to the Rose Bowl as they are undefeated, and Wisconsin's toughest remaining opponent is a Michigan squad that once again has to be reintroduced to Big Ten play.

Odds this will happen: 10/1

2. Fiesta Bowl Vs. Boise State

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BOISE, ID - SEPTEMBER 25: Wide receiver Darrell Catchings #15 of the Oregon State Beavers goes up for a catch over safety Jeron Johnson #23 of the Boise State Broncos at Bronco Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Otto Kitsinger III/

Ohio State could return to the Fiesta Bowl if, as has happened before, the team wins out and ties for the Big Ten Championship, and the Rose Bowl Committee selects the other Big Ten co-champion. 

If Michigan State and Wisconsin were to lose another game and Ohio State were to win out, Ohio State and Michigan State would end up as Big Ten co-champions.

Even if all three teams win out, unless Michigan State ends up in the BCS top two, they are probably going to the Rose Bowl. If Ohio State then lands in the BCS top 12, it has a good shot of being invited to the Fiesta Bowl, as the Fiesta Bowl committee is well-aware of how well Ohio State travels and what Ohio State means to television ratings. 

The other part of the equation involves Boise State. Should the Broncos end the season undefeated, and one or more of the major conference schools (such as Auburn or Oregon) go undefeated as well, it is quite possible that Boise State would be once again shut out of the BCS title game.

That leaves the possibility that the Broncos could play the Buckeyes in the Fiesta Bowl. 

Ohio State vs. Boise State would certainly draw a large television audience, and it's no secret that both schools travel really well. And with Boise State set to go independent next season, the BCS would not have to worry about the conference implications of the Broncos and Buckeyes playing next season. The only downside to this is that should a team like Alabama or LSU also be in the BCS top 10 at the end of the season, the selection committee might decide go with one of them for a more palatable matchup.

Odds that OSU lands in the Fiesta Bowl: 3-1

Odds that OSU ends up playing Boise State: 6-1

3. Sugar Bowl Vs. Alabama

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KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 23: Mark Ingram #22 of the Alabama Crimson Tide runs with the ball during the SEC game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

This was the preseason favorite matchup for the BCS title game until both teams lost in consecutive weeks. 

It would be no surprise to see these two teams in the Sugar Bowl, especially if both win out and Auburn remains undefeated, thereby going to the BCS title game. If either one of these schools loses again, then this scenario goes up in smoke. But BCS proponents are hoping that doesn't happen, as this game would decide supremacy between the Big Ten and SEC this year.

Odds that Ohio State ends up in the Sugar Bowl: 3-1

Odds that Ohio State ends up playing Alabama: 3-1

4. Capital One Bowl Vs. LSU

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BATON ROUGE, LA - OCTOBER 16: Drake Nevis #92 of the Louisiana State University Tigers tackles for a safety in the endzone Andre Anderson #22 of the McNeese State Cowboys at Tiger Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris G

This scenario would mark a rematch of the 2007 Sugar Bowl, where Les Miles' Tigers handily defeated Jim Tressel's Buckeyes, 38-24. If Ohio State were to lose one more game, and Auburn and Alabama were to win out, this would more than likely end up a reality. Something tells me it will take something drastic for this to happen.

Odds that Ohio State ends up in the Capital One Bowl: 10-1

Odds that Ohio State ends up playing LSU: 10-1

5. BCS Title Game Vs. Auburn/Other

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AUBURN, AL - OCTOBER 23: Quarterback Cameron Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers huddles the offense against the LSU Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The most unlikely scenario of the five: The only way Ohio State gets into the title game is if every team besides Auburn in the BCS Top 10 falls, and Ohio State wins out. Even with such a miracle, it is not a guarantee that Auburn runs the table. This scenario is really nothing more than a pipe dream for the die-hard Buckeye fan dreaming of an eighth national title.

Odds that Ohio State ends up in the BCS title game: 50-1

Odds that they end up playing Auburn: 30-1