(Admittedly Early) Michigan Bowl Preview
First, let me start off by saying I realize that this post is very early in the season, we are not bowl eligible, and the postseason landscape is hardly determinable. I am just a) excited at the prospect of going to a bowl again this year, and b) a big fan of FBS postseason (yes, including the BCS.)
Obviously, to determine where we'd fall, a little projection and guesswork is required. The last two years have caused me to behave carefully pessimistic, but nonetheless, I see us looking at 9-3 at the end of the season. Here is how I see the Big Ten finishing up:
| Team | Overall | Conference |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio State | 12-0 | 8-0 |
| Michigan State | 11-1 | 7-1 |
| Iowa | 9-3 | 6-2 |
| Michigan | 9-3 | 5-3 |
| Wisconsin | 9-3 | 5-3 |
| Penn State | 7-5 | 4-4 |
| Illinois | 6-6 | 4-4 |
| Indiana | 6-6 | 2-6 |
| Northwestern | 6-6 | 2-6 |
| Minnesota | 2-10 | 1-7 |
| Purdue | 2-10 | 0-8 |
***Note: Thanks to that rule change, Illinois, Indiana, and Northwestern would be bowl eligible even with one of their wins coming against a FCS opponent***
Yes, I know 9 Big Ten teams being bowl eligible is a little far-fetched, but it's possible.
Now, bowl implications:
OSU: National Championship vs. Alabama (they look too good to get beat during the regular season)
Rose Bowl: With a new rule in place, it looks like if OSU makes it to the BCS Championship, Boise St. or TCU or some other team might take our (The Big Ten's) spot here.
MSU: Capital One Bowl vs. SEC (probably Florida)
Iowa: Outback Bowl vs. SEC (South Carolina is my pick right now, and they'd be in for a tough game)
Michigan: Gator Bowl vs. SEC (LSU or Arkansas to draw some intrigue?)
Wisconsin: Insight Bowl vs. Big 12 (Missouri or Texas?)
Penn State: Dallas Football Classic vs. Big 12 (OK State or Texas A&M)
Illinois: Texas Bowl vs. Big 12 (Colorado?)
Indiana: Little Ceasar's Pizza Bowl vs. MAC Champ (Toledo)
Northwestern: Sorry, left out in the cold.
I find it rather likely that Indiana is also not chosen, but I'm including them for now. From what I can find, the bowl schedule is still a little fuzzy. What does anyone think of these matchups? Who would like to see Michigan return to the bowl games with a win over LSU and Miles or Arkansas and Mallet? Again, I realize this is super early, but something I'd like to discuss.
October 4th, 2010 at 3:35 PM ^
wait for at least two more wins before this exercise. Karma will thank you.
October 4th, 2010 at 9:14 PM ^
stop this fateful exercise...
October 4th, 2010 at 3:35 PM ^
If MSU finishes 11-1 I'll move out of the state because I dont think I could take it. Those people treat 8-4 like 11-1. I could only imagine what it would be like if they went 11-1.
October 4th, 2010 at 4:23 PM ^
Bowl game talk during the first week in October? Predictions that MSU goes 11-1? Did I wake up this morning in Bizarro World? (Seinfeld reference, for those that do not know.) Did I die and go to hell? What is happening? I want my mama . . .
October 4th, 2010 at 7:17 PM ^
plus one for Seinfeld references, but you pointed it out yourself and now I'm just confused and slightly bitter.....
October 5th, 2010 at 10:24 AM ^
+1 to you for the valid criticism that is well-taken and appreciated.
October 4th, 2010 at 4:29 PM ^
The last time Michigan State had a 1-loss season was 1965. I don't see it happening again any time soon, especially since they have to play in Ann Arbor, Iowa City, and State College.
October 4th, 2010 at 8:47 PM ^
is U of M, I am OK with that projection.
October 4th, 2010 at 9:11 PM ^
people are forgetting that Gangsta U North does not win away from E Lansing...
October 4th, 2010 at 3:36 PM ^
But OH MY GOD!!! Knock on a whole forest full of wood and don't jinx us like that. One game at a time.
October 4th, 2010 at 3:38 PM ^
Ohio State will not go undefeated. Whether they lose to us, or a road game at Iowa or Wisconsin, its going to happen. Wouldn't be surprised if Iowa is representing the conference in the Rose Bowl.
October 4th, 2010 at 3:40 PM ^
We will unfortunately lose to Oregon in the BCS National Championship game. 12-1. Staying with my early prediction.
October 4th, 2010 at 4:07 PM ^
The Ducks don't play well in bowl games and LaMicheal James is way too good of a running back to not get into some kind of trouble before the bowl game. EDSBS
October 4th, 2010 at 3:44 PM ^
I really hope AMHG took the day off of reading the board today...
October 4th, 2010 at 3:44 PM ^
Can we please get bowl eligible before we get bowl previews? I understand we're 5-0 and you're excited, but we will have 4-6 weeks in between the end of the season and the bowl game (hopefully) to preview it...
October 4th, 2010 at 4:02 PM ^
MSU 11-1 is not going to happen.
October 4th, 2010 at 4:05 PM ^
Unfortunately, karma didn't occur to me even a little bit in writing this. I'm just abroad for a semester and have literally no one to talk to about stuff like this. This week is obviously all about MSU and I thought to mix up the topic a little bit. While I continue to knock on wood the rest of the day, I'll remember to post more appropriately in the future.
October 4th, 2010 at 4:07 PM ^
I really think Ohio State will have at least a loss. Theyre starting to pile up injuries. If TP goes down there goes their whole offense.
October 4th, 2010 at 5:45 PM ^
If TP goes down there goes their whole offense.I don't miss the days of a offensive depth chart like OSU has. Creating competition at every position makes the gap that OSU has at quarterback less astounding.
October 4th, 2010 at 4:09 PM ^
oh my god.
as a side note, NW is 5-0, and plays neither UM nor OSU. They have a fantastic QB/WR combo in Dan Persa/ Jeremy Ebert. I could definitely see them sneaking in at 9+ wins. They're a sneaky team that, quite frankly, I'm happy not to be playing this year.
October 4th, 2010 at 4:16 PM ^
If MSU goes 11-1, and OSU goes to the MNC game, they might be shut out of the Rose Bowl, but there's no way they're shut out of the BCS in general. This would promote every other team up one rung.
October 4th, 2010 at 4:28 PM ^
First, an 11-1 Big 10 team is getting an at-large BCS bid even if it's not to the Rose Bowl. So would probably a 10-2 Big 10 team.
Second, NW is already 5-0. You're saying they're going to go 1-6 the rest of the way. I think it's likely they beat Purdue, and could be Indiana or Illinois, if not both. They actually have a very easy schedule avoiding both us and Ohio State, and getting MSU and Iowa at home.
October 4th, 2010 at 6:16 PM ^
These were the exact too points I was going to make - an 11-1 Big Ten team will undoubtedly be in a BCS game, they would probably be top 5 before the bowls, if not very close. And Northwestern is not a bad team, with a number of winnable games left. They'll be 7 wins, minimum, likely more.
October 4th, 2010 at 4:29 PM ^
Bowl projections at 5 wins? You're doing this sh*t on purpose, right?
October 4th, 2010 at 4:32 PM ^
Don't take the bait... Just act like this post never ever happened. So... how bout those Lions?
October 4th, 2010 at 5:58 PM ^
I would be shocked if anyone finishes behind Minnesota in the standings. I understand Purdue has injuries but Minnesota is so terrible.
October 4th, 2010 at 6:17 PM ^
MSU 11-1? I'd like some of what you're smoking.
October 4th, 2010 at 6:18 PM ^
Also, I have a hard time believing Northwestern goes 1-6 to finish up the conference season.
October 4th, 2010 at 7:11 PM ^
I'd like to see us play LSU in a bowl game this year. It's unlikely their offense would be able to score enough points on us.
Also I think Northwestern will finish better than 6-6
October 4th, 2010 at 7:30 PM ^
Knock on wood and all that, but holy crap can you imagine what Mallett would do to our secondary? How fast would some people's heads explode if a Michigan transfer (who transfered because of Rodriguez) came back to firebomb the secondary in a bowl game?
October 4th, 2010 at 7:46 PM ^
MSU at 11-1? Looks like the required minimums for posting new threads came at least one post too late.
October 4th, 2010 at 8:30 PM ^
until we have won seven games. Just call me stuporstitious.
October 4th, 2010 at 9:50 PM ^
Didnt realize this was the first year with no more Alamo Bowl ties
October 4th, 2010 at 9:53 PM ^
Well, it's a start.
October 4th, 2010 at 10:27 PM ^
The OP predicting MSU to go 11-1 is like predicting the Lions will make it to the playoffs this year. Some things just don't happen, no matter how much you wish.