BCS Bowl Projections: Where Will Big Ten Teams Go?
The college football season is almost over, as the regular season is coming to an end quickly. The Big Ten has been one of the most competitive conferences of the season.
Three teams enter the last week of the season tied for first place in the Big Ten: Michigan State at 10-1 (6-1 Big Ten), Ohio State at 10-1 (6-1) and Wisconsin at 10-1 (6-1). If the season were to end today, Wisconsin would win the automatic BCS berth, due to the BCS standings tiebreaker .
The Big Ten has five other teams that are bowl eligible, with only Indiana, Purdue and Minnesota being eliminated.
Without further adieu, here are my predictions on where the Big Ten teams will end up this season.
James Evens is a Purdue student and Basketball/Football Featured Columnist for the Boilermakers, along with being a Writing Intern at Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter or like him on Facebook
Illinois: Little Caesars Pizza Bowl
1 of 8
Date: December 26, 2010
Time: 8:30 p.m. EST
Channel: ESPN
Illinois has had a successful season in the eyes of many this season. After finishing last season 3-9, coach Ron Zook came under a lot of fire, but he seems to have gotten his team turned around by already doubling its win total from last season.
Although they are not highly competitive in the Big Ten this season, the Illini will still travel well as they will be going to their first bowl game since the 2007 Rose Bowl.
Illinois is a building program and will continue to rise throughout the years. Look for the Illini to be among the nation's elite once again soon.
Michigan: Ticket City Bowl
2 of 8
Date: January 1, 2011
Time: 11 a.m. CST
Channel: ESPNU
Michigan has had quite the disappointing season. After starting off strong behind the magnificent play of Denard Robinson, everyone expected Michigan to be a real contender for the Big Ten.
Although Michigan's hopes were dashed by injuries and tough losses, Rich Rodriguez's job is in question. Taking the Wolverines to a bowl game should help, but that is not good enough for the University of Michigan.
Michigan was once an elite program, and now it will play in a game no one has heard of.
If I was Rich Rodriguez, I would be looking at my options.
Northwestern: Texas Bowl
3 of 8
Date: December 29, 2010
Time: 5 p.m. CST
Channel: ESPN
Northwestern has had quite a memorable season, topped by its victory against a tough Iowa team this season.
The Wildcats were led by senior quarterback Dan Persa, who was one of the best quarterbacks in the nation, passing for 2,581 yards and 15 touchdowns before a season-ending Achilles tendon tear.
Persa was the heart and soul of the team, and he was missed in Northwestern's loss to Illinois at historic Wrigley Field yesterday.
The Wildcats will still be bowling for the fourth straight season in what should be an exciting game to watch.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Penn State: Insight Bowl
4 of 8
Date: December 28, 2010
Time: 8 p.m. MST
Channel: ESPN
Penn State has had a very disappointing season this year. Through this week, the Nittany Lions have a 7-4 record.
Although its hopes were dashed by some tough losses, this once highly overrated Penn State team is looking to win another bowl game for Joe Paterno.
One of PSU's highlights this season was giving JoePa the 400th victory of his career. Giving him another bowl game victory is their next goal.
Iowa: Gator Bowl
5 of 8
Date: January 1, 2011
Time: 1:30 p.m. EST
Channel: ESPN2
Just a few short weeks ago, Iowa was in control of its own destiny and was some analysts' favorites to win the Big Ten title.
A tough loss to the Northwestern Wildcats dashed those hopes and put Iowa a game behind the Big Ten leaders. Iowa has been led this season by a defense that has been one of the best in the entire nation.
Iowa will be looking to win another bowl game this season, although this one will not be a BCS game.
MIchigan State: Outback Bowl
6 of 8
Date: January 1, 2011
Time: 1 p.m. EST
Channel: ABC
Michigan State has been one of the most exciting teams in the nation throughout the season. It all started with the Spartans' overtime victory against Notre Dame, when they successfully executed a fake field goal in overtime.
They have been in the spotlight ever since, including the unfortunate heart attack of head coach Mark Dantonio.
The Spartans have been the comeback kids as of late, including an exciting comeback last weekend against the Purdue Boilermakers.
Although it's not a BCS bowl, the Spartans should still be excited about playing in a bowl again this season.
Ohio State: Capital One Bowl
7 of 8
Date: January 1, 2011
Time: 1 p.m. EST
Channel: ESPN
It will be a disappointing season for the Buckeyes if they don't make it to a BCS bowl, but right now it looks like that might just happen. Barring any major upsets this weekend, it's looking like the Buckeyes will be on their way to the Capital One Bowl.
The Buckeyes, who are led by quarterback Terrelle Pryor, are a dominant team that just has all the tools right now. They deserve to be in the BCS, but with how competitive it's been, it's hard to put them in there as an at-large bid.
Even though they are not in a big bowl game, it's still a bowl game and the Buckeyes will surely get a victory in this matchup.
Wisconsin: Rose Bowl
8 of 8
Date: January 1, 2011
Time: 1:30 p.m. PST
Channel: ABC
Wisconsin will get its first Rose Bowl berth since 2000 if it can just finish with a win against Northwestern, which has proven to be an upset machine this season, previously knocking off Iowa.
Wisconsin has an explosive offense and a high-powered defense. The Badgers are physical in every aspect of the game and have one of the best offensive lines and running games in the nation.
They put up 83 points against Indiana earlier this season, and look for them to beat whichever team lands with them in the Rose Bowl this season. Wisconsin is a great team, so look for them to play very well and bring home the Roses for the Big Ten.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
