Big ten bowl games 2009 predictions

Regardless of the team representing the Big Ten the Outback Bowl this appears to be a winnable game against what will likely be the 4th or 5h place SEC team. My assumptions made here is that they will lose to both Iowa and Penn State. Obviously those assumptions could be very wrong but after their Purdue debacle I'm not convinced they should be favored in those two games.

As mentioned above they will hold the head-to-head tie breaker with Wisconsin and even if they finish a game behind the Badgers the Capital One Bowl could pick Ohio State ahead of them. Buckeye fans should be excited by this bowl slot though as they would stand a very good chance at winning a bowl game for the first time since beating Notre Dame in !

In this scenario Minnesota finishes 5th in conference with an identical conference record with Michigan State. Michigan would be and could be picked for this bowl as well, but I'm going to assume that Michigan will not leap-frog two teams to earn this slot.

It would be within the Champs committee's rights but a team leap-frogging two is not the norm and I'm guessing the Big Ten would discourage that. Ultimately this is the best case scenario for Gopher fans as well as unlikely. This game would be against a middle of the road ACC team and a decent match-up for whichever Big Ten team gets invited. That puts their Big Ten record at , overall and despite their loss to Michigan State they will be picked for that Alamo Bowl ahead of the Spartans due to their passionate and well-traveled fan base.

Barring a big upset in their other three games the Minnesota game is rather huge for both teams. Even this would require some help and hope that a lower finishing team wouldn't get bumped up for lack of traditional fan traveling clout.

Obviously best case sees the Gophers finishing and working their way into the Capital One Bowl, but if anybody has seen anything on this current team to suggest we have a finish in us, please mail me whatever it is you smoke during games. Most Realistic Scenario - a return trip to the Insight Bowl. That is because here will not be many more wins this season than last season.

Out of conference Michigan has to beat the teams they are supposed to beat. Rodriguez might not get a year three if he loses any one of those games. I think the Notre Dame game is not winnable. In conference I do not see any chance of a road win with Michigan State, Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin all on the road. That is a tough road schedule no matter who you are.

The in conference road schedule has two good chance for wins in the form of Indiana and Purdue. Michigan does get Penn State and Ohio State at home. I still do not think they will beat either one.

I do not think this team could win much more than. Things could be worse if Michigan does not come ready play against lesser talented teams. If they over look teams another season is possible. Still I believe the Maze and Blue will turn things around and show some improvement. I think a season is not too much to ask for a team that has not played up to the talent on it. Just remember this coach Rodriguez next season better beat a great season with at least eight wins.

Wait this is Michigan better make that nine. Michigan State Spartans: Prediction Last year was year in which the Spartans beat all the teams they should have and got a Michigan team in a funk and a Wisconsin team in the middle of a choke.

That helped Michigan State to a record. Even with Javon Ringer having a monster year the Spartans were an average team offensively. They will have to break in a new quarterback and running back this season.

The good thing is there is talent to turn to in East Lansing. The holes on offense should be alright by the time the Big Ten schedule starts. While the defense was not great it was good enough to keep the Spartans in the game to get wins. There are some holes that need to be filled but that should not Michigan State from having a solid defense.

Michigan State needs to keep winning as long as Michigan is struggling after being the ugly step child of Michigan. Recruits want to be a part of a winner something the Wolverines are not. The non conference schedule only has one game to be feared. They spanked the Irish at South Bend last year and are at home this season.

In conference the away games stack up with trips to Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, and Purdue. Every one of these games could be loses. The home conference games should give Michigan State a chance to beat up on Michigan, Northwestern, and Iowa. Then in the final home game I think the Spartans will beat Penn State. The Spartans could have a special season depending on how well they play on the road. Plus if they can find replacements for the players lost after last season. I do not see this team doing worse then and could be as good as I think a solid will not be a bad season for the Spartans.

Minnesota Golden Gophers: Prediction I have a lot of reservations about the Gophers football team. Which team was the real Minnesota team last season? The team that won seven of its first eight games to start and only lose to Ohio State in Columbus. Is Minnesota the team that then went on to lose its last five games including a blowout loss to Kansas in the bowl game.

After a Northwestern pick six for a victory the Gophers went in to a slide that they did not recover from. So a team returning this much talent should be a lock to have a good to great season, right? I am not sure. Will this team lose another game at the end of the game and never recover. Will they move on from last season and have an even better year in I was not completely sold on either so I guessed at least a winning season.

That will be helped along I think with the opening of a new outdoor stadium. Minnesota will have to fix the problems with last seasons collapse. If they can the sky could be the limit in The out of conference schedule could be one of the toughest in the Big Ten. They should get wins over Syracuse early in the season and South Dakota State late in the season. They do get to open the new stadium against a good Air Force team and a very good California team in back to back weeks.

I think the Gophers will beat the Falcons but lose to the Bears. There could be trouble against the Spartans and the Illini. The road schedule in conference has some bad as well as some good. The two road trips to Ohio State and Penn State are going to be loses. The trips to Northwestern and Iowa could both be wins or losses. I think this Minnesota team could see the wheels come off early or stay in the hunt until late in the season. It could turn in to a season or be a season.

I am guessing on the safe side and go with a Season. I still do not know what team will show up for Northwestern Wildcats: Prediction Northwestern is a school that you never quite seem to think they will be very good. Then the season comes around and the Wildcats play good football and win more games than they should. After taking over this program Pat Fitzgerald has pretty much nothing but good things.

The team is always tough to play and does not give up on a season. While the talent level for Northwestern will never match Ohio State and some of the other promenade Big Ten programs. They will find very coachable players who can play their role on the team. As far as the out of conference schedule goes for the Wildcats it is as easy as it can get.

The in conference schedule as some tough road games. Every game but the Purdue game will be hard to win. The Penn State game will be a loss. The Wisconsin game could go either way. The Wildcats look to be a solid football team and should finish with a winning record. The worse Northwestern will be is The Wildcats could be as good as if they play above their talent level. I see a season for the Wildcats in Ohio State Buckeyes: Prediction Much has been made of the Big Ten nationally and most of the ire has been placed at the feet of Ohio State.

While a Buckeye or Big Ten supporter will say they have been one of the best programs in the country since Jim Tressel took over. The problem is that Ohio State has lost the biggest games on a national stage. That could change this season. There is a statement game out of conference. If the Buckeyes lose the conference will not be able to change their perception until next season.

For Ohio State to win the ball game quarterback Terrelle Pryor will have to look like the Heisman candidate. Pryor will get a USC team that has to replace several players on defense.

My only fear is that injuries and other issues could derail the Buckeyes chance. Even if Pryor has to dot the I in the pregame festivities at the Shoe he will have to do it all in this game so the Buckeyes can win. Story continues.

LOOK: Minnesota to wear alternate uniforms for game vs. Ohio State. Recommended Stories. The Guardian. Fighting Irish Wire. Draft Wire. Yahoo Sports. Patriots Wire. Eagles Wire. UGA Wire. Bears Wire. Touchdown Wire. Wolverines Wire. Longhorns Wire.

Green Bay Press-Gazette.