Big Ten bowl projections

By RANDY JOHNSON, Star Tribune

Last update: November 15, 2009 - 4:47 PM

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The Big Ten received good news Saturday when Stanford blew out Southern California, making it less likely the Pac-10 sends two teams to the Bowl Championship Series and more likely the Big Ten sends two, Ohio State and Iowa or Penn State. College football editor Randy Johnson takes a look at how the conference's bowl lineup could end up.

Ohio State (9-2, 6-1)

Remaining games: at Michigan. Projected record: 10-2, 7-1. Projected bowl: Rose (Jan. 1, Pasadena, Calif.)

Comment: Buckeyes clinched Rose Bowl berth by edging Iowa. It's highly unlikely they'll play anywhere else.

Iowa (9-2, 5-2)

Remaining games: vs. Gophers. Projected record: 10-2, 6-2. Projected bowl: Fiesta (Jan. 4, Glendale, Ariz.)

Comment: This is a close call between the Hawkeyes and Penn State, but Iowa likely will have a higher BCS ranking.

Penn State (9-2, 5-2)

Remaining games: at Michigan State. Projected record: 10-2, 6-2. Projected bowl: Capital One (Jan. 1, Orlando)

Comment: A soft nonconference schedule hurts PSU's BCS ranking and might cost the Nittany Lions a BCS berth.

Wisconsin (8-2, 5-2)

Remaining games: at Northwestern, at Hawaii. Porjected record: 10-2, 6-2. Projected bowl: Outback (Jan. 1, Tampa, Fla.)

Comment: Badgers would bolster their chances of landing in Tampa by beating Northwestern.

Michigan State (6-5, 4-3)

Remaining games: vs. Penn State. Projected record: 6-6, 4-4. Projected bowl: Champs Sports (Dec. 29, Orlando).

Comment: A victory over Penn State would help the Spartans and improve Iowa's BCS hopes.

Northwestern (7-4, 4-3)

Remaining games: vs. Wisconsin. Projected record: 7-5, 4-4. Projected bowl: Alamo (Jan. 2, San Antonio)

Comment: There is a chance the Wildcats get the Champs Sports nod over Michigan State.

Gophers (6-5, 3-4)

Remaining games: at Iowa. Projected record: 6-6, 3-5. Projected bowl: Insight (Dec. 31, Tempe, Ariz.)

Comment: If Michigan beats OSU to become bowl eligible, look for the Gophers in the Little Caesar's Bowl instead.

Outside, looking in: Michigan (5-7 after projected loss to OSU); Purdue, Indiana and Illinois were eliminated.

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