Big Ten Bowl Projections: Wisconsin Badgers Back to a BCS Bowl

The Big Ten race was not the only conference shaking things up in the BCS this weekend, as two more undefeated teams fell in Stanford and Boise State. This leaves the country with LSU, Oklahoma State and Houston as the only undefeated teams left, leaving many to wonder which is the best one-loss team in the country?

One thing's for certain: it is not Penn State, as the Nittany Lions became the final team in the conference to take on a second loss this weekend. That loss, combined with a shocking upset of Ohio State by Purdue, puts Wisconsin right back in the driver's seat.

That cannot be good news for Michigan State, as the Spartans would likely be happier facing the Lions or the Buckeyes for the Rose Bowl. However, it now looks like a rematch of the epic finish in East Lansing will be on the docket for the berth to the Rose Bowl.

With two weeks remaining, let's see where the Big Ten teams stack up in the bowl projections.

Note that this still does not look like a season with a BCS at-large berth, thanks to Houston being ranked higher than any Big East team, and the Pac-10, Big 12 and SEC having better second-place teams. With only eight bowl tie-ins and 10 probable bowl-eligible teams, there will be some opportunities for the Big Ten to fill empty bowl slots.

Rose Bowl: Wisconsin (8-2) vs. Oregon (9-1)

Just one week ago, Wisconsin needed help from both Ohio State and Penn State to even have a chance to play its way into the Big Ten championship. However, Purdue and Nebraska obliged the Badgers within about three minutes of one another on Saturday by knocking off the Nittany Lions and the Buckeyes.

With only a road trip to Illinois and a home game against Penn State left, Wisconsin appears ready to roll into Indianapolis on a mission to pay back the Spartans for the October miracle in East Lansing. That should happen, which should put Wisconsin back in the Rose Bowl once again.

The Badgers will see Oregon on the other sideline following the Ducks' win over Stanford. Both teams will look to correct disappointing losses in the past two Rose Bowl games.

Capital One Bowl: Michigan State (8-2) vs. Georgia (8-2)

Michigan State has a one-game lead in the Legends Division with two winnable games left. The Spartans only must defeat Indiana and Northwestern to secure a chance to play into the BCS, rather than being left out by the bowl executives as in 2010.

The Spartans will likely meet Georgia, assuming the Bulldogs can defeat Kentucky this week and then fall to LSU in the SEC championship. Michigan State will be ready to exorcise the demons from last year's slaughter at the hands of Alabama.

Thankfully for Michigan State, the Bulldogs are not in the same league as Alabama last year.

Outback Bowl: Nebraska (8-2) vs. South Carolina (8-2)

The Cornhuskers survived the emotional trip to State College and now return to critical Legends Division games against Michigan and Iowa. Assuming Nebraska can take care of business in both games, then Nebraska will have an outside shot at a BCS at-large bid.

That will not happen though, so the Cornhuskers will be slotted in behind division winner Michigan State to play the Gamecocks. South Carolina will be disappointed to not have a chance in the SEC Championship, but this may set up for a more favorable bowl matchup.

Nebraska could be flipped with Michigan State if the Spartans are blown out by Wisconsin in the Big Ten championship, but I still think the Capital One will welcome back the Spartans.

Insight Bowl: Michigan (8-2) vs. Texas A&M (5-5)

It is official: the era of fast starts and faster collapses in Ann Arbor is over.

Michigan won an important road game at Illinois to set itself up with two huge finishing games against Nebraska and Ohio State and a chance to reach 10 wins.

Although the bowl opposition will look similar to Mississippi State from a year ago, the Wolverines will perform much better against the underperforming Aggies from Texas A&M. If Michigan pulls an upset against Nebraska, then a New Year's Day bowl game will be in the works for the first time in four years.

Gator Bowl: Ohio State (6-4) vs. Auburn (6-4)

The Gator Bowl lucked into Michigan in a down year last year, although the Wolverines brought nothing but their fans in a blowout loss. Despite the disappointing season from the other traditional power Ohio State, Jacksonville will be more than happy to take a chance on the Buckeyes and their rabid fanbase.

The Buckeyes could be paired with Florida here in an interesting rematch of the 2006 BCS National Championship Game, although Auburn should be the choice following a better-than-expected season for the Tigers. Ohio State will get another opportunity to officially put a win against the SEC in the record books after its win over Arkansas was vacated from last year.

Meineke Car Care Bowl: Iowa (6-4) vs. Baylor (6-3)

Iowa lost control of the division race by losing at home to Michigan State a year after giving the Spartans their only loss in Iowa City. With the undefeated run on the home field finished, the Hawkeyes will now slip down the bowl rankings behind the other major names on the table (e.g., Michigan and Ohio State).

However, the scandal at Penn State will allow Iowa and the well-traveling fans to head to Charlotte in front of Penn State. Iowa faced a tough quarterback conundrum against Missouri last year but shut Blaine Gabbert down in a surprising win. Expect more tough play against another great quarterback Robert Griffin III.

TicketCity Bowl: Penn State (8-2) vs. UTEP (5-5)

The fall from the 8-1 start for the Nittany Lions looks like it could get much worse on the field with tough road games at Columbus and Madison to close the season. Penn State has a great defense that will keep it in every game, but OSU and Wisconsin can exploit the exact same weaknesses Nebraska used to win this weekend.

In addition, Penn State is even more damaged goods right now than Ohio State. Thus, Penn State will fall all the way down to the seventh choice, just squeaking ahead of teams like Purdue and Northwestern that the Nittany Lions handled easily.

UTEP still has some work to do to become bowl-eligible, but the schedule is favorable for the Miners to grab this slot in the Conference USA bowl lineup. Penn State would easily handle such an opponent, even with an interim coach.

Little Caesar's Pizza Bowl: Purdue (5-5) vs. Ohio (7-3)

Purdue is a shining example of the Big Ten this season: mediocre, but a solid contender on the home field.

Despite being knocked around by Michigan and Wisconsin in previous weeks, Purdue rallied for its second straight win in West Lafayette against the heavily favored Buckeyes. Unlike 2009, this win will catapult Purdue into a bowl.

Danny Hope will be happy to be anywhere for Christmas, even Detroit. Although Northern Illinois will be a tough out in the MAC championship, Ohio University is due for a conference title under head coach Frank Solich, and the Bobcats will win the MAC to play the Boilermakers. This game will be closer than many expect.

Hawaii Bowl: Illinois (6-4) vs. Hawaii (5-5)

Oh, how long ago does 6-0 seem?

Too long ago for Ron Zook, who may be watching helplessly as the Illini play him back onto the hot seat. It is unlikely that any bowl game will be happy to receive Illinois on this type of losing streak, so barring a surprise against Wisconsin this weekend, Illinois will fall into the at-large pool.

However, Illinois will find a landing spot as I currently project only three major conference teams will be bowl-eligible with four available slots not filled (BBVA Compass Bank, Hawaii, Pinstripe and Military Bowl). Of those games, the Hawaii Bowl will be happy to grab any Big Ten team, even the Illini.

Hawaii needs to win two out of its last three games to make this game, but the schedule is favorable. Hawaii is a tough opponent in this game, which does not bode well for the Fighting Zooks.

Pinstripe Bowl: Northwestern (5-5) vs. West Virginia (7-3)

Northwestern played itself back into the bowl picture with the upset at Lincoln. That still will not be enough to be picked as one of the best eight teams in the league for a regular bowl tie-in. However, Northwestern will be an intriguing pickup for the New York-based Pinstripe Bowl.

West Virginia played back into the Big East race this weekend, but I project that they will still fall short. With Notre Dame taking one of the Big East bowl slots, a nine-win Mountaineers team could end up being a heavy favorite against the Wildcats in this game. Never count out the Purple Power though. Just ask Nebraska.

Other BCS Bowls

BCS Championship: LSU vs. Oklahoma State

Sugar Bowl: Alabama vs.Stanford

Fiesta Bowl: Oklahoma vs. Houston

Orange Bowl: Virginia Tech vs. Cincinnati