It may be hard to believe, but there is just one game left in the 2019 College Football regular season- The Navy/Army game, which Navy should win easily. This is one of Navy’s best teams in recent memory, and they are headed to the Autozone Liberty Bowl as a result. After that game concludes, bowl season will officially be upon us. Let’s take a look at the bowl games involving Big Ten teams.
Rose Bowl: Oregon vs. Wisconsin – These two teams just seem to find each other in the postseason, don’t they? Both programs are built on strong offensive lines and elite defense which doesn’t give up big plays. Oregon’s line is built to protect quarterback Justin Herbert, and Wisconsin’s is built to block for their All-American running back Jonathan Taylor. This will be one of the best games of the bowl season, as it always is. Final Score: 34-31 Oregon.
Pinstripe Bowl: Michigan State vs. Wake Forest – This game is played at Yankee Stadium, and it provides an environment that is suitable to teams that play more traditional style football. That means Michigan State should gain a slight advantage. Expect the Spartans to win this one 20-13.
Holiday Bowl: USC vs. Iowa – Usually the Holiday Bowl features fast-paced teams that play at breakneck speed. Not this season. USC, which has had to play three different quarterbacks this season, faces off against the ever-steady Iowa Hawkeyes. USC has the deeper roster, but Iowa has more experience. Final Score: 27-20 Iowa.
Cotton Bowl: Memphis vs. Penn State – Memphis head coach Mike Norvell has led his Tigers to their best season in program history. He has taken the head coaching job at Florida State so there is no word yet on whether he will coach this game. Penn State will be returning all of their key players next season. They will be looking for a win in this game to springboard the team towards a special 2020 season. Final Score: 34-20 Penn State.
Redbox Bowl: California vs. Illinois – Lovie Smith’s accomplishment of getting Illinois back to a bowl game has been a great story. The season included a stunning upset over Wisconsin. However, the story ends here. California has the better team. Final score: 31-17 California.
Citrus Bowl: Michigan vs. Alabama – For the first time ever, Alabama will not be participating in the college football playoffs. This game could potentially come down to whether or not Nick Saban can get his players up for this game. Michigan should win this game by the final score of 31-24.
Outback Bowl: Minnesota vs. Auburn – The Gophers were the story of the 2019 college football season, but two late losses against Iowa and Wisconsin derailed what could have been a special season in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Still, head coach P.J. Fleck is in this for the long haul after a recent contract extension so they will be back and even better next season. But as far as the Outback Bowl is concerned this won’t be close. Final score- 34-17 Auburn.
Gator Bowl: Indiana vs. Tennessee – This is the game where both teams have had plenty of ups and downs all season, including Tennessee’s embarrassing home loss to Georgia State. Final Score: 31-27 Indiana.
