Current Bowl Possibilities

[NotInRHouse]

Just so we are not handwaving here. Here are some various predictions--nobody on this list has Rutgers in Detroit or Pinstripe, but two have Rutgers in Boca Bowl vs. UConn. Three have us in Phoenix:

USA Today:
Minnesota to Dukes Mayo
Wisconsin Pinstripe
Michigan State Detroit
Rutgers/UConn Boca

247:
Detroit- Michigan State is the preferred team if they win
Rate Bowl- Kansas v. Rutgers
Pinstripe- Minnesota
Music City- Nebrasa

ESPN:
Rate Bowl
Chase Field (Phoenix)
5:30 p.m., ESPN
Bonagura: Rutgers vs. TCU
Schlabach: Rutgers vs. Kansas State

Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl
Yankee Stadium (New York)
Noon, ABC
Bonagura: Georgia Tech vs. Nebraska
Schlabach: Syracuse vs. Minnesota

GameAbove Sports Bowl
Ford Field (Detroit)
2 p.m., ESPN
Bonagura: Ohio vs. Michigan State
Schlabach: Miami (Ohio) vs. UConn

CBS (Palm):
Boca Bowl- Rutgers v. UConn
Rate- Texas Tech Nebrask
Pinstripe- NC v. Wisconsin
Detroit-Michigan State v. Miami OH

2024 College Football Bowl Predictions - NCAA Bowl Game Projections

CBS Sports bowl expert Jerry Palm picks the teams he feels will comprise the National Semi-final at the end of the season along with bowl projections for every single game.

www.cbssports.com

College football bowl projections, playoff picks updated in Week 14

Changes at the top of the latest playoff picks and bowl projections.

247sports.com

Latest bowl projections: Who benefits most from a wild weekend?

We sort out the playoff and bowl pictures after one of the most upset-filled Saturdays in recent memory.

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I don't think Detroit makes sense for us

With 7 wins, I do believe we'd have to get chosen before any 6 win team

With 6, MSU would get it and I think we'd go to a non B1G bowl

 

[bigmatt718]

I don't think Detroit makes sense for us

With 7 wins, I do believe we'd have to get chosen before any 6 win team

With 6, MSU would get it and I think we'd go to a non B1G bowl

I'm in agreement that we don't go to Detroit no matter what happens. If we beat Sparty we go to either Charlotte or Phoenix depending on what happens with Minnesota/Wisconsin. If we lose MSU goes to Detroit and we end up in a non B1G bowl game.

 

[NotInRHouse]

I'm in agreement that we don't go to Detroit no matter what happens. If we beat Sparty we go to either Charlotte or Phoenix depending on what happens with Minnesota/Wisconsin. If we lose MSU goes to Detroit and we end up in a non B1G bowl game.

Though people are complaining, before the season I remember people wanting to go to PHX or Charlotte, lol. I think either would be fine, especially considering the injuries we have had.

 

[JayDogSmooth]

Anyone ever been to Detroit around Christmas? It’s akin to the Bronx, except add an additional nine hours each way to the misery

Why anyone would prefer that over Boca in December is beyond me

 

[NotInRHouse]

Anyone ever been to Detroit around Christmas? It’s akin to the Bronx, except add an additional nine hours each way to the misery

Why anyone would prefer that over Boca in December is beyond me

I went last time. It was fun. And the commentary about Detroit was exaggerated. Is it as nice as NYC? No. It's not a war zone though, at least not near the stadium.

The good thing last time was we played UNC. I'm rooting for us to play the strongest opponent possible, because I know GS prepares us well. Though like I said, I don't think we'd have faired too well versus Bama in the Citrus because of the obvious talent gap.

I am least worried about the most exciting vacation destination. I could plan a vacation around something else.

 

[SF88]

What is the path to Charlotte?
If Wisconsin beats MN, they'd go ahead of us
If MN beats WISC, they're 7-5 and we are 7-5 if we win. Does Charlotte pick RU over MN?

Does Charlotte pick ahead of Pinstripe and Music City? If so, they will take MICH-NEB-WISC over us

 

[NotInRHouse]

What is the path to Charlotte?
If Wisconsin beats MN, they'd go ahead of us
If MN beats WISC, they're 7-5 and we are 7-5 if we win. Does Charlotte pick RU over MN?

Does Charlotte pick ahead of Pinstripe and Music City? If so, they will take MICH-NEB-WISC over us

Someone can correct me if I am wrong but with 7 wins we'd have to be chosen before 6 win teams I believe. Which eliminates Wisconsin and likely Michigan. We'd own the tiebreaker with Minnesota.

 

[SF88]

Someone can correct me if I am wrong but with 7 wins we'd have to be chosen before 6 win teams I believe. Which eliminates Wisconsin and likely Michigan. We'd own the tiebreaker with Minnesota.

I believe it's more the bowl's choice. Standings/tie-breakers don't matter to bowls. Might be a 2 win rule, but not a 1 win rule. ie, a bowl can select a 6-6 NEB/MN/MICH team ahead of a 7-5 RU. Had we gotten to 8-4, then we'd have to be taken ahead of them. Hence why the ILL game was important. Same question, how does a 7-5 Rutgers get to Charlotte? What has to happen.

 

[jaydogsmooth1]

I went last time. It was fun. And the commentary about Detroit was exaggerated. Is it as nice as NYC? No. It's not a war zone though, at least not near the stadium.

The good thing last time was we played UNC. I'm rooting for us to play the strongest opponent possible, because I know GS prepares us well. Though like I said, I don't think we'd have faired too well versus Bama in the Citrus because of the obvious talent gap.

I am least worried about the most exciting vacation destination. I could plan a vacation around something else.

Any bowl game we're in is fun, it'd just be way more fun at a nice, warm place vs. a northern city that gets cloudy for 9 months a year
I've been to Detroit many times, and yes, it does get a bad rap - they're fixing it up, especially near the stadiums

Part of the bowl game experience, for me, is the destination
I knew FSU was going to get smoked last year vs. UGA, but went in large part due to being in Miami

It'll make no difference to recruits or anyone that matters if we go to Detroit or Boca
Both are subpar and fall well short of where we could have, and should have, gone this year

 

[bac2therac]

What is the path to Charlotte?
If Wisconsin beats MN, they'd go ahead of us
If MN beats WISC, they're 7-5 and we are 7-5 if we win. Does Charlotte pick RU over MN?

Does Charlotte pick ahead of Pinstripe and Music City? If so, they will take MICH-NEB-WISC over us

selection order and Iowa/Ill/Mich/Neb/Wisc would all be picked before us

1. Cheez-It Citrus Bowl ABC Big Ten vs. SEC
2. ReliaQuest Bowl Tampa, Big Ten vs. SEC
3. Mayo Bowl, Charlotte ESPN Big Ten vs. ACC
4. TransPerfect Music City Bowl Nashville Big Ten vs. SEC
5. Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl ESPN Big Ten vs. ACC
6. Guaranteed Rate Bowl Phoenix, ESPN Big Ten vs. Big 12
7. Quick Lane Bowl Detroit, MI ESPN Big Ten vs. MAC

 

[bac2therac]

the best case is Wisconsin loses and RU wins. Then it looks like RU avoiding Detroit winding up in Phoenix Likely Minny to Pinstripe but I suppose a deal could put them higher and push a Nebby or Michigan to NYC

 

[SF88]

the best case is Wisconsin loses and RU wins. Then it looks like RU avoiding Detroit winding up in Phoenix Likely Minny to Pinstripe but I suppose a deal could put them higher and push a Nebby or Michigan to NYC

OK, in that scenario MN is 7-5 and RU is 7-5. Deal to put MICH in NYC, NEB goes Nashville. IMO, RU brings more to Charlotte than MN. so you're saying there's a chance.......

 

[bac2therac]

OK, in that scenario MN is 7-5 and RU is 7-5. Deal to put MICH in NYC, NEB goes Nashville. IMO, RU brings more to Charlotte than MN. so you're saying there's a chance.......

ive seen conflicting things on where the Mayo bowl sits in selection, ny times had them actually 5th on the list behind Pinstripe which could change somethings

i still am having trouble finding a definitive ranking

 

[bac2therac]

the Star ledger say this is the order

owl game	When/where	vs.	variety clause
Cheez-It Citrus Bowl	Dec. 31 at 3 p.m. in Orlando, Fla.	SEC	No Iowa
ReliaQuest Bowl	Dec. 31 at noon in Tampa Bay, Fla.	SEC	No Wisconsin
Duke’s Mayo Bowl	Jan. 3 at 7 p.m. in Charlotte, N.C.	ACC	No Maryland
Music City Bowl	Dec. 30 at 2:30 p.m. in Nashville, Tenn.	SEC	No Maryland
Pinstripe Bowl	Dec. 28 at noon in New York, N.Y.	ACC	No Rutgers
Rate Bowl	Dec. 26 at 5:30 p.m. in Phoenix, Ariz.	Big 12	N/A
GameAbove Sports Bowl	Dec. 26 at 2 p.m. in Detroit, Mich.	MAC	No Minnesota

 

[bac2therac]

If Minny beats Wisky

Citrus looks like Illinois

Reliaquest is likely the winner of Iowa/Nebraska

Mayo would be the loser of Iowa/Nebraska but possibly Mich

Music City would be Mich/Minny or Iowa/Nebby loser

Pinstripe would be Mich/Minny

Rate would be Rutgers although possibly MSU if they beat RU...likely seen as way better traveler

Game Above would not be filled by Big 10 unless Michigan State beats RU

it would be an unlikely call for RU to actually get Music City over Michigan right? I guess the scenario is that deal worked out for Michigan to go Pinstripe and Music City gets pick between 7-5 Minny/RU

If Wisky beats Minny

Citrus: Illinois
Reliquest: Iowa/Nebby
Mayo: Iowa/Nebby/Wisc/Mich
Music City: Iowa/Nebby/Wisc/Mich
Pinstripe: Mich/Wisc/Nebby/Minny
Rate: Minny/RU
Detroit: RU...but if Mich State wins, it would be MSU

RU then forced to perhaps Boca Raton or worse

 

[Hardslider21]

I'm in agreement that we don't go to Detroit no matter what happens. If we beat Sparty we go to either Charlotte or Phoenix depending on what happens with Minnesota/Wisconsin. If we lose MSU goes to Detroit and we end up in a non B1G bowl game.

Let’s hope it’s the Mayo bowl against Pitt, winner gets mayo dumped on their head

 

[NotInRHouse]

Any bowl game we're in is fun, it'd just be way more fun at a nice, warm place vs. a northern city that gets cloudy for 9 months a year
I've been to Detroit many times, and yes, it does get a bad rap - they're fixing it up, especially near the stadiums

Part of the bowl game experience, for me, is the destination
I knew FSU was going to get smoked last year vs. UGA, but went in large part due to being in Miami

It'll make no difference to recruits or anyone that matters if we go to Detroit or Boca
Both are subpar and fall well short of where we could have, and should have, gone this year

I agree that both would fall short of expectation but if Boca was versus UConn it is better than a MAC team, perhaps marginally, and in searching flights, FLL was actually quite cheap IMO that week. So it would be better.

But I would still rather a non Detroit B1G bowl

There are probably other bowls we are not thinking of that are out there if there is a pile up in the B1G.

 

[NotInRHouse]

I believe it's more the bowl's choice. Standings/tie-breakers don't matter to bowls. Might be a 2 win rule, but not a 1 win rule. ie, a bowl can select a 6-6 NEB/MN/MICH team ahead of a 7-5 RU. Had we gotten to 8-4, then we'd have to be taken ahead of them. Hence why the ILL game was important. Same question, how does a 7-5 Rutgers get to Charlotte? What has to happen.

Are you sure? Because theoretically, though not this season, then a 7-5 team could be left without a bowl over a 6-6 team. I believe the rules were meant to avoid that scenario.

 

[Doctor Worm]

Indiana stays in playoff position at #10. As long as they beat Purdue, I don't think they will drop out. That is an important consideration for all B1G non-playoff bowl teams, including RU.

 

[RexMantlepiece]

Indiana stays in playoff position at #10. As long as they beat Purdue, I don't think they will drop out. That is an important consideration for all B1G non-playoff bowl teams, including RU.

They better not drop Indiana if their only loss is to Ohio State. We will find out soon enough. Committee better do the right thing!

 

[rutgersal]

Minnesota and Wisconsin play Friday. So we will know if Saturday is the play in to the Detroit bowl !

Even if Minnesota wins, they could be easily sent to the Pinstripe and assuming we win, Rutgers to the Guaranteed Rate and Detroit Bowl goes unfilled

 

[Doctor Worm]

Right now Indiana is #10, but for practical purposes they are #11, because Boise State (projected #4 conference champion) will bump them. Plus room must be made for the Big XII champion. So Indiana has no margin for error. A very convincing win on Saturday would be very helpful.

 

[rutgersal]

Are you sure? Because theoretically, though not this season, then a 7-5 team could be left without a bowl over a 6-6 team. I believe the rules were meant to avoid that scenario.

There are no such constraints. A 6-6 team can be taken over a 7-5 team. A big ten team will get a bowl. The only question is which one.

 

[rutgersal]

OK, in that scenario MN is 7-5 and RU is 7-5. Deal to put MICH in NYC, NEB goes Nashville. IMO, RU brings more to Charlotte than MN. so you're saying there's a chance.......

There’s a chance. Need to win Saturday.

 

[bigmatt718]

yeah Wisconsin being in the mix just pushes us down. With them out and a RU win, we definitely stay out of Detroit...as long as Indiana stays in the playoff

Indiana is #10 in the CFP rankings. Unless they shit the bed Atlanta Falcons 28-3 style vs an atrocious Purdue team, they're in.

 

[ruronny]

If MSU beats us. and if it comes down to the Detroit bowl choosing between RU or MSU, they will choose MSU.

Agreed. MSU with 6 wins to Detroit, that’s what several news services believe most likely. It still might not help us though…

 

[ruronny]

Agreed. MSU with 6 wins to Detroit, that’s what several news services believe most likely. It still might not help us though…

Also, if Wisky and MSU win, that could be enough to push us out of a B1G bowl and have to find a 2nd tier or at-large bowl somewhere- likely not a good one but who knows. But if we’re 6-6 the I’d understand and would obviously have to accept that.

 

[Doctor Worm]

With Wisconsin now out, I think we are now Phoenix bound win or lose, as long as Indiana stays in playoff position.

 

[read option]

With Wisconsin now out, I think we are now Phoenix bound win or lose, as long as Indiana stays in playoff position.

Phoenix wants us. Beat MSU and we’re 100% locked in.

 

[huskersalways]

Phoenix wants us. Best MSU and we’re 100% locked in.

The bowl thing has turned into a mass jumble. The bowl picking order does not apply to 6-6, 7-5 teams. They are viewed as the same record in selection so a 6-6 team can jump a 7-5 team and on very rare occasions an 8-4 team if it avoids a repeat team. However with the addition of the 4 PAC teams, even though they are tied to their existing bowl contracts the Big 10 and PAC did away with the repeat appearance rule for this year because of how big the shuffle in bowl game might be with conference changes. What NU people are hearing:
The Pinstripe is actively pursuing Michigan and Michigan is in favor of going there because that area has their largest alumni population. Michigan doesn’t think people will travel very far since they dropped from playoff team to 6-6(likely).
Phoenix has talked with Nebraska and Iowa and I’m sure RU but the info was just about the Iowa/NU result.
Nashville and Tampa also want NU and Iowa and it is likely the winner to Tampa and loser to Nashville.
MSU is pushing to go somewhere other than Detroit but may not have any options if they win.
Matchups are going to be more important than records and geography it sounds like. With so many 6-6, 7-5, and 8-4 type teams it’s a free for all. Ha

TIFWIW.

 

[bigmatt718]

The bowl thing has turned into a mass jumble. The bowl picking order does not apply to 6-6, 7-5 teams. They are viewed as the same record in selection so a 6-6 team can jump a 7-5 team and on very rare occasions an 8-4 team if it avoids a repeat team. However with the addition of the 4 PAC teams, even though they are tied to their existing bowl contracts the Big 10 and PAC did away with the repeat appearance rule for this year because of how big the shuffle in bowl game might be with conference changes. What NU people are hearing:
The Pinstripe is actively pursuing Michigan and Michigan is in favor of going there because that area has their largest alumni population. Michigan doesn’t think people will travel very far since they dropped from playoff team to 6-6(likely).
Phoenix has talked with Nebraska and Iowa and I’m sure RU but the info was just about the Iowa/NU result.
Nashville and Tampa also want NU and Iowa and it is likely the winner to Tampa and loser to Nashville.
MSU is pushing to go somewhere other than Detroit but may not have any options if they win.
Matchups are going to be more important than records and geography it sounds like. With so many 6-6, 7-5, and 8-4 type teams it’s a free for all. Ha

TIFWIW.

With Illinois all but a lock to Orlando, sounds like Charlotte/Phoenix/Detroit will be between Minnesota/Rutgers/Sparty. Wondering if RU gets Charlotte and Minny goes to Phoenix if RU wins tomorrow. That may work out that way as RU would travel better to Charlotte and Minny would travel better to Phoenix.

 

[bac2therac]

With Wisconsin now out, I think we are now Phoenix bound win or lose, as long as Indiana stays in playoff position.

Ya know Detroit picks last..if Sparty wins they may be picked for pinstripe or phoenix or charlotte

No guarantee a deal is made to send them to Detroit

 

[BigEastPhil]

What bowl is Nebraska projected to go to?

If I’m Phoenix, I yearn for Nebraska.

Aporox 2-3 hour flight / fan base travels very well and fans will be hungry given it’s their first bowl game in 10 years or so.

 

[e5fdny]

The bowl thing has turned into a mass jumble. The bowl picking order does not apply to 6-6, 7-5 teams. They are viewed as the same record in selection so a 6-6 team can jump a 7-5 team and on very rare occasions an 8-4 team if it avoids a repeat team. However with the addition of the 4 PAC teams, even though they are tied to their existing bowl contracts the Big 10 and PAC did away with the repeat appearance rule for this year because of how big the shuffle in bowl game might be with conference changes. What NU people are hearing:
The Pinstripe is actively pursuing Michigan and Michigan is in favor of going there because that area has their largest alumni population. Michigan doesn’t think people will travel very far since they dropped from playoff team to 6-6(likely).
Phoenix has talked with Nebraska and Iowa and I’m sure RU but the info was just about the Iowa/NU result.
Nashville and Tampa also want NU and Iowa and it is likely the winner to Tampa and loser to Nashville.
MSU is pushing to go somewhere other than Detroit but may not have any options if they win.
Matchups are going to be more important than records and geography it sounds like. With so many 6-6, 7-5, and 8-4 type teams it’s a free for all. Ha

TIFWIW.

Well, as Johnny Carson said…”I did not know that.”

That’s some big news IMO. Could be bad (Pinstripe), could be good (Charlotte).

 

[bigmatt718]

What bowl is Nebraska projected to go to?

If I’m Phoenix, I yearn for Nebraska.

Aporox 2-3 hour flight / fan base travels very well and fans will be hungry given it’s their first bowl game in 10 years or so.

Nebraska will go to Music City or Tampa Bay depending on if they beat Iowa. Winner goes to Tampa, loser goes to Nashville. Both pick ahead of Phoenix.

 

[ruronny]

Phoenix wants us. Best MSU and we’re 100% locked in.

Even if we win and beat MSU, we would not end up in Detroit as Phoenix picks first.

Well, as Johnny Carson said…”I did not know that.”

That’s some big news IMO. Could be bad (Pinstripe), could be good (Charlotte).

Again, there is virtually no chance we go back to Pinstripe 2 years in a row. It’s Phoenix, Detroit or possibly Charlotte.

 

[e5fdny]

Again, there is virtually no chance we go back to Pinstripe 2 years in a row. It’s Phoenix, Detroit or possibly Charlotte.

@huskersalways gave us a bit of news we didn’t, as least I didn’t, know until recently.

You’re probably right, especially with his thoughts on Michigan going there.

But with this info, it ain’t an absolute anymore either.

 

[RU#1fan]

With Illinois all but a lock to Orlando, sounds like Charlotte/Phoenix/Detroit will be between Minnesota/Rutgers/Sparty. Wondering if RU gets Charlotte and Minny goes to Phoenix if RU wins tomorrow. That may work out that way as RU would travel better to Charlotte and Minny would travel better to Phoenix.

I think RU brings many more fans to Phoenix than Minny. They remember 2005 very well.

 

[NotInRHouse]

What is the thought process for Phoenix over Charlotte?

Wouldn't we projected to bring more fans to the latter?

Tickets to Charlotte are pretty cheap IMO

 

[bigmatt718]

What is the thought process for Phoenix over Charlotte?

Wouldn't we projected to bring more fans to the latter?

Tickets to Charlotte are pretty cheap IMO

Agreed 100% that we would bring the most fans to Charlotte, I'm just thinking they pick Minnesota over us. Would love to be wrong.