B1G Bowl Projections: Week 10

To say the B1G got turned on it’s head this past Saturday would be an understatement. We saw the top dog go down, we saw an overtime thriller in Evanston, and Wisconsin continues to stay among the ranks of the undefeated.

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The Rose Bowl (College Football Playoff Semi-Final Jan. 1st) -Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Georgia Bulldogs

We saw both of my CFP teams go down last week as Penn State lost to Urban Meyer and co. in one of the best college football comebacks in recent memory. JT Barrett led the Buckeyes back to erase an 11-point deficit in the final 6 minutes of the game to shock the Nittany Lions. Meanwhile the Bulldogs dismantled the Gators in Jim McElwain’s last game at the helm for Florida. That’s right, Georgia basically put a coach out of a job.

The Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl (Jan 1st)- Wisconsin Badgers vs. Miami Hurricanes

Wow, a bowl match-up that didn’t completely prove me wrong. That being said, Wisconsin did NOT look fantastic against an Illinois team we all know isn’t the strongest of opponents. Alex Hornibrook is just not an elite quarterback and that was solidified against a young Illini defense. Wisconsin likely won’t lose during the rest of the B1G season, but whoever they play in the B1G championship will likely hand them their only loss. We all know when you lose is as important as how many losses you have to the selection committee. Miami keeps doing their thing and will likely end the season in the same one loss boat as the Badgers by season’s end.

Playstation Fiesta Bowl (Dec. 30th)-Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Notre Dame FIghting Irish

This match-up makes me sad in so many ways. First of all I hate eating my words but I don’t really see Notre Dame losing any games barring Miami with their remaining schedule. Since they don’t have a conference championship game to play in their path looks even better. Penn State lost a game they had to win to solidify their CFP hopes. Saquon Barkley did conversely solidify himself as the front runner for this year’s Heisman favorite. If you get a chance, watch this guy play whenever you get the chance. It is rare that you will see a player have such a monumental impact in every football game he is involved in.

Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic (Dec. 29th)-Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys

The Hawkeyes are in this position by default, they have the easiest remaining schedule out of the remaining top-tier B1G teams. Don’t take anything away from this team, Akrum Wadley is one of the top RB’s in the nation and the Iowa defense is just good enough to be dangerous. OK State continues to post gaudy numbers on the offensive side of the ball. Once again Mason Rudolph can sling the freakin’ rock. The Cowboys just outscored the Mountaineers last week. This team reminds me of the Chip Kelley Oregon regime, outrageous scoring potential, not a lot to write home about on defense.

The Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl (Dec. 29th) Michigan State Spartans Vs. Iowa State Cyclones

The Spartans lost a heart-breaker in Evanston as the Wildcats stunned Sparty in overtime. Mark Dantonio must have gotten the short straw when they were making the conference schedules. Their remaining schedule is incredibly back-loaded. Iowa State continues to surprise me as they pulled off a huge upset win against TCU on Saturday.

The Quick Lane Bowl (Dec. 26th) Michigan Wolverines vs. USC Trojans

Michigan continues to change quarterbacks, posing the question, how many do they have on the roster? Sam Darnold would be pitted against (insert Michigan quarterback here). Michigan just seems to have no consistency, no clear cut number one at quarterback or running back. Jim Harbaugh wont be in the NFL anytime soon, Michigan fans need to drop that narrative but they are struggling to find an identity.

The New Era Pinstripe Bowl (Dec. 27th) Northwestern Wildcats Vs. Boston College Eagles

Northwestern has surprised college football analysts across the board with consecutive wins against Iowa and Michigan State. Their recent successes puts them in a position of contenders or pretenders and we will see how they progress going forward this season. If Justin Jackson keeps flinging touchdown passes who knows what this team can accomplish. As far as Boston College goes i’m hopping on the band wagon. Although their recent win against Florida State may say more about the Seminoles woes than The Eagles’ new found success.

The Zaxby’s Heart of Dallas Bowl (Dec. 26th) Maryland Terrapins vs. Texas Longhorns

Hook ‘em Horns! Shane Buechele is doing his best to turn this Texas squad around after close to a decade of middling football performances. Maryland keeps it rolling as they pick up a high octane win against Indiana. D.J. Moore 77 yards on only four receptions while also logging a touchdown against Indiana. Like I’ve said, watch out for D.J. Durkin’s squad going forward, something big is happening in college park.

Honorable Mentions

Indiana Hoosiers (4-8)

The Hoosiers are struggling to decide on which quarterback should lead them going forward. It seems as though every week they switch between Richard Lagow and Patrick Ramsey. Simmie Cobbs Jr. is making himself a lock for the NFL, 138 yards and hit pay-dirt twice last week.

Nebraska Cornhuskers (5-7)

Tanner Lee is not the quarterback to lead you to a bowl game. Nebraska is trying to put things together in Lincoln after switching AD’s and I just don’t see it all coming together this season.

Minnesota Golden Gophers (4-8)

I feel like I switch between this team being bowl-worthy or not every week. This week i’m more inclined to choose the latter. They only posted ten points against Iowa last week putting them at 1-4 in the conference. I can only see them winning one more B1G contest this year. I wouldn’t expect a lot out of PJ Fleck’s team this year, they haven’t given you any reason to expect otherwise.