Ohio State Football: 5 Bowl Projections for the Buckeyes

With only three games remaining on the Ohio State Buckeyes' schedule, football fans are starting to wonder where the Buckeyes will head during bowl season. Originally thought as a lost cause, the Buckeyes' current win streak is making a statement.

While a BCS bowl is practically implausible, the Buckeyes can still head to a respectable bowl game. 

Click to see five possible bowl games the Buckeyes can attend.

The Gator Bowl

Date: Jan. 2, 2012

Time: 1 p.m.

Location: Jacksonville, Fla.

The Gator Bowl pairs up the No. 4 Big Ten team and the No. 6 SEC team.

According to CBS Sports, it looks like the Buckeyes could face the Florida Gators in this matchup. If so, Ohio State will have a rematch from the 2007 BCS National Championship Game, where Florida dominated 41-14.

This could be an interesting matchup, as first-year coaches Luke Fickell and Will Muschamp would square off in the battle of the rebuilding year.  

Insight Bowl

Date: Dec. 30, 2011

Time: 10 p.m.

Location: Tempe, Ariz.

According to Scout.com's projections, the Buckeyes may head to the Insight Bowl Dec. 30. The Insight Bowl is reserved for the No. 4/No. 5 Big Ten team and the No. 4 Big 12 team.

If Ohio State heads to Arizona for this matchup, they could face Texas A&M. This would be an interesting matchup, considering the Big 12's style of play. This is definitely a matchup I would like to see.   

Meineke Car Bowl

Date: Dec. 31, 2011

Time: Noon

Location: Houston, Texas

After 10 weeks of college football, ESPN has two different bowl projections for Ohio State. Analyst Mark Schlabach predicts that the Buckeyes will head to the Meineke Car Bowl in Texas. The Meineke Bowl is reserved for a No. 5  Big Ten versus a No. 5 Big 12 team.

Schlabach currently believes Ohio State will face Missouri in this lesser-known bowl game.

However, this projection seems somewhat doubtful. Ohio State has such a massive fanbase that are willing to travel, despite the cost; it's hard to believe the Meineke Car Bowl is the best they can do. 

Capital One Bowl

Date: Jan. 2, 2012

Time: 1 p.m.

Location: Orlando, Fla.

The Capital One Bowl is slated for the No. 2 Big Ten team and the No. 2 SEC team. If Ohio State can continue its lucky streak, the team may find itself facing Arkansas in January.

Yes, this game is more implausible than the previous ones, but the Buckeyes have a chance.

Rose Bowl

Date: Jan. 2, 2012

Time: 5 p.m.

Location: Pasadena, Calif.

The coveted BCS Rose Bowl was certainly a long-shot for the Buckeyes.

That is, until Penn State was shaken with the assistant coaching scandal. If Ohio State wins out and claims a victory at the first Big Ten Championship Game, the Buckeyes may be smelling roses in January.

Anything is possible.