Big Ten bowl projections: Gophers to Citrus?

Here's a look at how the Big Ten's bowl lineup could shake out, with only the conference championship remaining:

Wisconsin (10-2, 7-1 Big Ten)

Projection: Cotton Bowl vs. Baylor, Jan. 1, Arlington, Texas.

Comment: With Ohio State losing quarterback J.T. Barrett to a broken ankle, we're projecting the red-hot Badgers to win the Big Ten Championship Game and secure a spot in one of the College Football Playoff's secondary bowls — the Cotton, Fiesta and Peach. The Big Ten champ can't play in the Orange Bowl, the other CFP secondary bowl.

Ohio State (11-1, 8-0)

Projection: Fiesta Bowl vs. Arizona, Dec. 31, Glendale, Ariz.

Comment: Even if the Buckeyes lose in the Big Ten title game, they still would have a strong shot to be in a CFP secondary bowl, and the Fiesta would be a good landing spot. And remember, if Ohio State beats Wisconsin, it still would have a shot to earn a national semifinal berth.

Projection: Peach Bowl vs. Boise State, Dec. 31, Atlanta

Comment: The Spartans are No. 10 in the CFP rankings and likely won't drop, so we'll project three Big Ten teams in the CFP bowls. Under the old BCS system, only two teams from a conference could play in BCS bowls. Not so with the College Football Playoff.

Gophers (8-4, 5-3)

Projection: Citrus Bowl vs. Missouri, Jan. 1, Orlando, Fla.

Comment: After getting passed over for Florida bowls in the past, the Gophers have earned their way to the Sunshine State. Sure, they might be slotted a bowl higher than their record calls for, but maybe there's some positive payback karma going on.

Projection: Holiday Bowl vs. Pac-12 selection, Dec. 27, San Diego

Comment: By rallying to beat Iowa, the Cornhuskers likely land in San Diego. One place they won't end up is Jacksonville for the TaxSlayer Bowl (formerly Gator), because they played there last year. Citrus is possible, but they lost to the Gophers.

Maryland (7-5, 4-4)

Projection: TaxSlayer Bowl vs. SEC selection, Jan. 2, Jacksonville, Fla.

Comment: Even with their loss to Rutgers, the Terrapins could land here. They have the head-to-head edge over Iowa.

Comment: Friday's loss to Nebraska likely will downgrade the Hawkeyes' bowl destination.

Penn State (6-6, 2-6)

Projection: Pinstripe Bowl vs. ACC selection, Dec. 27, New York

Comment: Penn State has a strong following in New York, so it makes sense the Nittany Lions' first bowl trip since exiting the NCAA's doghouse will be to Yankee Stadium.

Rutgers (7-5, 3-5)

Comment: By rallying from 25 points down to beat Maryland, the Scarlet Knights are rewarded with a trip to Detroit for Christmas. Rutgers played in the Pinstripe Bowl last year, so that's out.

Illinois (6-6, 3-5)

Projection: Heart of Dallas Bowl vs. Conference USA selection, Dec. 26, Dallas