The 2009 Big Ten conference season is over and while only one bowl-eligible conference team has another regular season game remaining (Wisconsin at Hawaii), certainty talk about bowl picks for the post-season is speculation at best. For this edition of our projection list (which likely will change again in the next two weeks), we see Penn State sneaking into the BCS over Iowa.
While on paper, the Hawkeyes (10-2) should be taken over Penn State (also 10-2), after the national championship and automatic bowl bids are handed out, selections are all about filling seats in the stadiums. While Iowa’s 2009 run was impressive, its season-ending 12-0 victory over Minnesota was lackluster at best. Plus, Penn State’s dismantling of Michigan State might be all of the incentive the BCS needs to select the Nittany Lions and not Iowa. Still, who knows…
November 22, 2009 – Latest Projections
BCS Bowls
Rose Bowl presented by Citi
January 1, Pasadena, CA 5 pm ABC
BCS vs. BCS (Big Ten vs. Pac 10 champion, if available)
Projection: Ohio State vs. Oregon
The Buckeyes are going to Pasadena and will likely face Oregon.
Allstate Sugar Bowl
January 1, New Orleans, LA 8:30 pm Fox
BCS vs. BCS (SEC Champion, if available)
Projection: Alabama/Florida loser vs. Cincinnati/Pittsburgh.
The Sugar Bowl will lose the Alabama/Florida winner, but will almost certainly take the loser, and thereafter will take the Big East champion.
Tostitos Fiesta Bowl
January 4, Phoenix, AZ 8 pm Fox
BCS vs. BCS (Big 12 Champion, if available)
Projection: Penn State/Iowa vs. Boise State
Right now, pencil in Penn State over Iowa to take on Boise State. Since the Big 12 Champion (Texas) will be heading to the national championship game, the Fiesta Bowl will make the second selection and should take the Nittany Lions.
FedEx Orange Bowl
January 5, Miami Gardens, FL, 8 pm Fox
BCS vs. BCS (ACC Champion, if available)
Projection: Georgia Tech/Clemson winner vs. TCU
The ACC Champ ends up here against the at-large selection of TCU
Citi BCS National Championship
January 7, Pasadena, CA, 8 pm ABC
BCS No. 1 vs. BCS No. 2
Projection: Florida/Alabama winner vs. Texas
Texas is almost certainly here against the Florida/Alabama winner.
Big Ten Tie-Ins
Capital One Bowl
January 1, Orlando FL, 1 pm, ABC
Big Ten No. 2 vs. SEC No. 2
Projection: Penn State/Iowa vs. SEC
The Capital One Bowl will be happy with the Nittany Lions or the Hawkeyes.
Outback Bowl
January 1, Tampa FL, 11 am, ESPN
Big Ten No. 3 vs. SEC
Projection: Wisconsin vs. SEC
While the Badgers should be a lock, don’t be surprised to see Northwestern sneak in here.
Valero Alamo Bowl
January 2, San Antonio TX 8 pm ESPN
Big Ten No. 4 or 5 vs. Big 12 No. 4
Projection: Northwestern vs. Big 12
Insight Bowl
December 31, Tempe AZ, 5:30 pm, NFL Network
Big Ten No. 6 vs. Big 12 No. 6
Projection: Michigan State vs. TBA
Champs Sports Bowl
December 29th, Orlando FL, 8 pm, ESPN
ACC No. 4 vs. Big Ten No. 4 or 5
Projection: TBA vs. Minnesota
Little Caesars Bowl
December 26th, Detroit MI, 5 pm, ESPN
Big Ten No. 7 vs. MAC
Projection: No Big Ten team eligible
The Little Caesars Bowl will get a Big Ten team here if neither Iowa or Penn State head to the BCS.
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