Big Ten Country's bowl projections are posted in a link at the upper right hand spot of the site. They'll be updated early each week. It includes the BCS games, plus the Capital One & Outback Bowls.
It's a pretty quiet week in the Big Ten coming up, with only four conference games and both Penn State & Ohio State off, so the game previews will be done in one part instead of the customary two. For today's post, here's a brief look at how the rest of the conference bowl card is shaping up, beyond the big games that are regularly updated. I'm currently projecting Penn State & Ohio State to the BCS, and Michigan State & Minnesota to the January 1 games. Here's how I see the pre-New Year's lineup shaking out:
Alamo: Wisconsin-Oklahoma State
The Badgers win three of their last four games and nudge into San Antonio. In 2002, a UW team salvaged a disappointing season with a stunning win over Colorado at this game. Could a reprise be in the offing?
Champs Sports: Iowa-North Carolina
The Hawkeys are starting to play better, although they'll need to pull a road upset somewhere along the line to get any higher up the food chain.
Insight: Illinois-Nebraska
Juice Williams & Co. have been inconsistent, but explosive. A matchup against a name school from the Big 12 presents a great chance to follow up on their Rose Bowl season with a positive lasting memory.
Motor City: Northwestern-Ball State.
This one could actually be the most interesting game of all. The Cardinals could come in unbeaten and looking to stake a claim for BCS martyrdom. Whichever Big Ten team gets this last spot could have a good opportunity for redemption themselves.
Michigan is pretty well up against it, having to win out the rest of the way--including a road trip to Columbus. Indiana and Purdue are also longshots, though still technically hanging on.
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