Big Ten Bowl Watching Guide

Submitted by oriental andrew on December 9th, 2019 at 8:28 AM

Actually haven't seen this yet, which is surprising. These are the games which mostly matter to me, plus a couple of my random thoughts. Michigan first, then in chronological order. Mostly a bowl watching guide, I guess. 

Note: I know there was a "all the bowl games, dates, times" thread, but that was literally just a link to a Yahoo article. There was also the "will the Big Ten win a bowl game" thread which was posted BEFORE the matchups were announced and, frankly, was kind of a dumb question. Sorry, OP. 

#14 Michigan vs. #13 Alabama

  • Citrus Bowl, Orlando
  • January 1, 2020 @ 1pm ET (ABC)
  • The last time Michigan and Alabama played in Florida, we won the Orange Bowl in OT with Tom Brady. 'Bama kicker missed a PAT. I'd be down for another thrilling Michigan victory over the Elephants Running Through a Tidal Wave Infected with the Red Tide Algal Bloom. I mean, seriously. That mascot is just all sorts of confused. And while we're on the subject, what's up with Auburn and their mascot confusion? Are they the Eagles? The Tigers? The Tigles? That should be a thing. 

michigan state vs. Wake Forest

  • Pinstripe Bowl, NYC @ 3:20pm ET (ESPN)
  • December 27, 2019
  • Enjoy the big apple. Don't get mugged. Or mug people. 

#16 Iowa vs.#22 USC

  • Holiday Bowl, San Diego
  • December 27, 2019 @ 8pm ET (FS1)
  • Defense vs. Offense. Could be interesting. Probably not an offensive explosion in the tradition of other Holiday Bowl matchups. 

#10 Penn State vs. #17 Memphis

  • Cotton Bowl Classic, Arlington TX
  • December 28, 2019 @ 12pm ET (ESPN)
  • Not actually at the Cotton Bowl, just co-opted the name for a game at Jerry-world. I know nothing about Memphis, other than the fact that I'm going to the city later this month. 

#2 ohio state vs #3 Clemson

  • Fiesta Bowl, Phoenix AZ 
  • December 28, 2019 @ 8pm ET (ESPN)
  • CFP game. They were hoping for Okie, got Dabo instead. Yay. Whatever. 

Illinois vs. California

  • Redbox Bowl, Santa Clara, CA
  • December 30, 2019 @ 4pm ET (FOX)
  • Formerly known as the Fight Hunger Bowl. It's still technically a bowl game and I'm happy for my wife's alma mater. Now that I've gotten the contractually obligated "Go Illini" part out of the way...

#18 Minnesota vs. #12 Auburn

  • Outback Bowl, Tampa FL
  • January 1, 2019 @ 1pm ET (ESPN)
  • On the one hand, this is Minnesota's best season in forever. On the other hand, they never really got THAT much respect, falling several places below 3 loss Michigan and Iowa. On the other other hand, they can gain some major respect by beating Auburn. 

#8 Wisconsin vs. #6 Oregon

  • Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA
  • January 1, 2019 @ 5:10pm ET (ESPN) 
  • Both schools are a little disappointed. Wisconsin handle osu in the first half. Oregon ain't osu. I think I think Wisconsin wins. 

8Windiana vs. Tennessee

  • Gator Bowl, Jacksonville FL
  • January 2, 2019 @ 7pm ET (ESPN)
  • Trying to become 9Windiana. Could 9Windiana be ranked in the AP and/or Coaches if they win??? It's nice to have a dream. 

Bonus game:

#15 notre dame vs. 7-5 Iowa State

  • Camping World Bowl, Orlando FL
  • December 28, 12pm ET (ABC)
  • Apparently, the "Camping World Bowl" is an actual thing. The dames take on 7-5 Iowa State (did I mention that Iowa State is 7-5?) in this "game." As you might guess, irish fans are quite "excited" about this bowl game and matchup. Ironically, they're bemoaning the fact they have to play 7-5 ISU instead of a marquee matchup against Texas which is *looks up schedules* also 7-5. Oh. Anyway, they're also wondering why they're not eligible for the ACC tie-in to the Orange Bowl. *ooh ooh pick me i know silly rabbit conference bowl tie-ins are for actual conference members something something cake and eating it too* 
  • Sidenote: Apparently, it used to be the Sunshine Football Classic, Blockbuster Bowl, CarQuest Bowl, Micron PC Bowl, Tangerine Bowl, Champs Sports Bowl, and now the Camping World Bowl. So it has a long and illustrious history of sponsors you thought were defunct, but actually aren't. 

Comments

The Mad Hatter

December 9th, 2019 at 8:57 AM ^

Two loss ND playing in a bowl I've never heard of is hilarious.  

I think the Big 10 is going to win most of their bowl games. And call me crazy, but I'm glad we're playing Alabama instead of Memphis.

MDSup3rDup3

December 9th, 2019 at 10:23 AM ^

Nice work OP. Have fun in Memphis. Lived there for a bit and it's a great place! 

FWIW, Beale Street could either be considered another Bourbon Street or a slightly more mature college mile. Lots of drunk people at all times, but can be fun in the right setting. For BBQ, I have 2 recommendations. For ribs, go to Corky's just east of the UMemphis campus. For pulled pork, there is no better choice than Central BBQ (and for a different take, try the BBQ nachos).

AWAS

December 9th, 2019 at 12:44 PM ^

How in the world is ND ranked 15?  #14 UM already crushed them, and is there anyone who thinks a game against #13 Alabama would be any more competitive?

McBuck85

December 11th, 2019 at 5:52 PM ^

Thanks so much for this; it's one of the most helpful guides I've seen, and funny as well. I too take great joy from ND being relegated to [insert random corporation here] Bowl. Seriously, one of these days we'll see a Ribbed Trojans Bowl or a Tampax Bowl. 

I'm rabidly pulling for an OSU/LSU final. (Yeah, I'm a Buckeye.) At first I was bummed not to be #1, but I think LSU was the right pick. But if Clemson is better than us, does it really matter whether we find that out in the semi-final or the final? 

MGlobules

December 16th, 2019 at 3:37 PM ^

Looking for OSU to get throttled by a surging Clemson Tiger. Also will be happy if Our Lady struggles against Iowa State. That would almost make it worth watching.

Nah.