Tag: Big Ten

Championship week NCAA football 2019 expert picks and predictions

It’s college football championship week and we’ve got your predictions against the spread and straight up.

We’ve made it this far on our journey and it’s time to change gears just a wee-bit. We’ve been picking every Big Ten football game collectively as a staff here at Buckeyes Wire and Mark Russell has been beating the pants off everyone.

But it’s not over.

We’re changing gears a bit before all the bowls and taking the time to pick all the major championship games that’ll be coming to a television set or streaming device near you this weekend and keeping track as well. So, off we go.

A a reminder, if there’s an *next to the pick, that means the team will win, but not cover. Also, we get our odds from BetMGM.

INSTRUCTIONS: Make your pick against the spread. For example …
– If you think Ohio State will win -3.5 over Michigan: OSU
– If you think Ohio State will win outright: OSU
– If you think Ohio State will win, but NOT cover: OSU*
– If there’s a tie, George Washington settles it via the ‘ole quarter coin-flip.

Before we get going with all the picks, here’s the standings so far at the end of the regular season …

RESULTS SO FAR

@PhilHarrisonBW: 136-34 SU, 80-90 ATS
@yesh222: 128-42 SU, 93-77 ATS
@MarkRussell1975: 134-36 SU, 98-72 ATS
@BrentReeves: 131-39 SU, 90-80 ATS
@SirBrockNetter: 133-37 SU, 82-88 ATS
@JaxFryburger: 133-37 SU, 90-80 ATS
CONSENSUS PICK: 135-35 SU, 99-71 ATS

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Next … Power Five Championship Games

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2017 Big Ten title game offers lessons for Wisconsin vs. Ohio State

Sizing up the 2019 Big Ten Championship Game between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Ohio State Buckeyes through the prism of 2017.

The 2017 Big Ten Championship Game between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Ohio State Buckeyes does not offer a perfect template for Wisconsin as it prepares for a 2019 rematch in Indianapolis. However, several components of this game show the Badgers what they need to replicate on Saturday night.

The best things Wisconsin did in that 27-21 loss to Urban Meyer’s Buckeyes: First of all, the Badgers produced takeaways which had a high level of impact. Andrew Van Ginkel produced a pick-six when the Wisconsin offense was floundering in the first quarter. Two other takeaways were part of a gallant defensive effort in which Ohio State constantly moved the ball — 449 total yards — but didn’t score 30 points.

Second, Wisconsin’s defense stood tall in the red zone. Ohio State twice settled for field goals inside the Badgers’ 11-yard line. That was another reason the Buckeyes finished with only 27 points instead of a much higher number on the scoreboard.

Third, Wisconsin’s run-pass mix was 41 passes to 32 rushes. That isn’t an ideal run-pass mix, but do remember that Ohio State jumped out to a 21-7 lead. Wisconsin had to throw a lot more than it would have liked in this game. To throw only nine times more than the Badgers rushed the ball is an achievement under those circumstances. Wisconsin knew that even though it was trailing, it had to rest its defense and rely on what worked best.

YES, the late-game drive in that 2017 Big Ten title tilt wasn’t good, and YES, Wisconsin needed downfield passes in that game which didn’t emerge in crucial moments. That was a pronounced flaw of the evening in Indy. However, in terms of a 60-minute approach, Paul Chryst’s plan was sound. The plan wasn’t adjusted to the extent it needed to be at the end of the game, but the larger whole was not misguided. It was fundamentally the right way to play Ohio State under those circumstances. The key detail which supports this thesis: Wisconsin, despite an offense which frankly wasn’t all that good in that game (under 300 total yards, only 14 points scored since seven were produced by the pick-six of J.T. Barrett), nevertheless kept the ball for 34 minutes. If Wisconsin had kept the ball for only 30 minutes, the score is probably more lopsided in Ohio State’s favor.

Wisconsin didn’t do a number of things well — we’ll have more on that in a separate post — but in terms of takeaways, red-zone defense, and time of possession, the Badgers checked some of the boxes they will need to check off in 2019 this coming weekend.

One fact magnifies Wisconsin and Ohio State before B1G title game

A simple fact shows how successful the Wisconsin Badgers and Ohio State Buckeyes really are.

Simple facts can convey profound truths. Such is the case before the Wisconsin Badgers face the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2019 Big Ten Championship Game in Indianapolis on Saturday. Let’s put it very plainly: With Paul Chryst and Ryan Day representing their teams in Lucas Oil Stadium, Wisconsin and Ohio State are the only two Big Ten programs which have made the Big Ten Championship Game with more than one coach.

Wisconsin, of course, is the leader among Big Ten programs in this regard: Three separate coaches have led the Badgers to Indianapolis. No other Big Ten program can make that claim. Bret Bielema and Gary Andersen preceded Chryst, who — on his own — has made three Big Ten title games, as many as Michigan State’s Mark Dantonio. Only Urban Meyer has made more Big Ten title games (four) than Chryst.

Ryan Day enables Ohio State to be the only program other than Wisconsin which has placed multiple coaches in the Big Ten Championship Game. These two programs — UW and OSU — are the leaders in overall Big Ten title game appearances, and they are the only two with multiple coaches in this game. If that isn’t a strong indication of sustained quality as a program, nothing is.

What is also worth noting, as we assess the significance of Wisconsin and Ohio State reaching Indianapolis with multiple head coaches, is that while Ryan Day has been superb this season, he is doing this with Urban Meyer’s players. This doesn’t diminish what Day has done this year. Yet, it is an obvious challenge — and rite of passage — for head coaches at elite programs to move past successes with inherited talent, and arrive at a point when they can say they built their own successes.

Yes, Day’s successes in 2019 are his own to the extent that he has coached this team. He has occupied a leadership position. He has carried the responsibility of guiding Ohio State through a full season. Yet, we all know that it’s one thing to coach inherited talent to the top. Coaching your own talent to the top is the higher and fuller measure of coaching prowess.

Paul Chryst and Wisconsin have attained that. Ryan Day and Ohio State? We will have to wait until the next decade to truly find out.

In final regular season Big Ten Power Rankings, Michigan falls after loss to Ohio State

Michigan football lost to Ohio State 56-27, how does that affect the final Big Ten Power Rankings before post-season play.

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Michigan finishes their regular season 9-3 after losing to Ohio State once again, 56-27 as their playoff chances are officially gone along with a New Year’s Six Bowl.

The rankings got a shake-up after some games in the conference this week as Wisconsin upset Minnesota to get a rematch with Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship game. Check out the final rankings of the regular season.

1. OHIO STATE 12-0 (9-0)

Ohio State finished their regular season undefeated after beating Michigan 56-27 in Ann Arbor. Running back J.K. Dobbins had his way with the Wolverines, rushing for 211 yards and four touchdowns on 31 carries.

The defense was questionable in the first half as they struggled to stop the passing game, but they held Michigan to just 91 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries. Ohio State plays Wisconsin for the Big Ten Championship this week as they try and keep their undefeated season alive.

2. WISCONSIN 10-2 (7-2)

Wisconsin jumps up to number two after upsetting the Golden Gophers 38-17 and clinching their ticket to Indianapolis to try and take down the mighty Buckeyes. Quarterback Jack Coan was the main source of offense, going 15/22 for 280 yards and two touchdowns.

The defense shut down Minnesota’s rushing attack, holding them to 76 yards on 30 carries. Wisconsin will try and get its revenge with the Buckeyes on Saturday and shake up the College Football Playoff talk.

3. PENN STATE 10-2 (7-2)

Penn State doesn’t change after beating Rutgers 27-6. Backup quarterback Will Levis started as starting quarterback Sean Clifford missed the game due to the injury he suffered against Ohio State last week. Levis finished the game with just 81 yards, a touchdown, and an interception after going 8/14, but had 108 yards on the ground with 17 carries.

The defense kept Rutgers at bay as they held them to just two field goals, despite allowing 383 yards, 199 in the air and 184 on the ground. Penn State will be in contention for a New Year’s Six Bowl as well, but their destination is unknown as well.

4. MINNESOTA 10-2 (7-2)

Minnesota falls to fourth after losing their Big Ten West title hopes after losing 38-17 to Wisconsin. Quarterback Tanner Morgan did everything he could, going 20/37 for 296 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.

The defense kept Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor in check as they held him to just 76 yards on 18 carries, but he scored twice. Minnesota might play in a New Year’s Six Bowl, but either way had a fantastic regular season and are awaiting their postseason game information.

5. MICHIGAN 9-3 (6-3)

Michigan falls back to fifth after getting demolished at home 56-27. Quarterback Shea Patterson did everything he could as well, going 18/43 for 305 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

The defense just didn’t know what to do as they let quarterback Justin Fields go 14/25 for 302 yards and four touchdowns. It was an embarrassing loss once again to the Buckeyes as the Wolverines now wait to see what bowl game they are playing in.

6. IOWA 9-3 (6-3)

Iowa held onto the win this week against Nebraska, winning 27-24. Iowa could pound the rock down Nebraska’s throats, finishing with 225 yards and two touchdowns on 31 carries.

The Hawkeye defense shut down the Cornhuskers passing attack, holding them to a combined 12/23 for 100 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. Iowa will be awaiting their bowl game announcement on Sunday as well.

7. INDIANA 8-4 (5-4)

Indiana held onto the lead as they beat Purdue in double overtime 44-41. Quarterback Peyton Ramsey went 23/39 for 337 yards and three touchdowns, along with 19 carries for 42 yards and two touchdowns.

Indiana had some struggles with stopping the run though as they let Purdue run for 181 yards and two touchdowns on 33 carries. Indiana will be looking for their ninth win of the season in their bowl game this month.

8. ILLINOIS 6-6 (4-5)

Illinois got pushed aside by Northwestern 27-10 as Illinois struggled to score. The passing attack was without starting quarterback Brandon Peters, as backup Matt Robinson got the start again and finished going 8/17 for 108 yards.

Illinois did well in stopping the passing game of Northwestern, holding them to 55 yards, a touchdown, and an interception as their quarterback Andrew Marty went 6/10. Illinois will be waiting to see which bowl game they are going to this year.

9. MICHIGAN STATE 6-6 (4-5)

Michigan State clinched their bowl game after beating Maryland 19-16. Quarterback Brian Lewerke had some troubles but finished the game by going 30/41 for 342 yards with two interceptions, along with eight carries for 26 yards and a touchdown.

Their defense was tested by Maryland’s rushing attack, allowing 164 yards and a touchdown on 29 carries. Michigan State will await their bowl game announcement as they look to end the season with a winning record.

10. NEBRASKA 5-7 (3-6)

Nebraska was close to becoming a bowl team before losing to Iowa 27-24. The run game was the best part of the offense, as the team had 184 yards and a touchdown on 56 carries.

The defense did well in stopping Iowa quarterback Nate Stanley, holding him to just 99 yards and an interception after having him go 11/24. Nebraska will be looking to make a bowl game next year in year three under head coach Scott Frost.

11. PURDUE 4-8 (3-6)

Purdue came close to playing spoiler against Indiana, losing 44-41 in double overtime. Quarterback Aidan O’Connell did well, going 28/49 for 408 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception.

The defense did it’s best to stop Indiana, but in the end, they just couldn’t. Indiana was able to run the ball well against Purdue, with 50 carries for 185 yards and three touchdowns. Purdue will look at 2020 as a rebound year after multiple injuries shook the team this season.

12. NORTHWESTERN 3-9 (1-8)

Northwestern moves up a spot after beating Illinois 29-10. Northwestern ran the ball a lot against Illinois as they finished with 65 total carries for 378 yards and three touchdowns.

The defense completely shut down Illinois rushing attack, holding them to just 14 yards, and a touchdown on 26 carries. 2020 will be looked at as a rebound year for the Wildcats and head coach Pat Fitzgerald.

13. MARYLAND 3-9 (1-8)

Maryland falls after losing to Michigan State 19-16 as the offense just couldn’t get it done. Quarterback Josh Jackson went 11/27 for 141 yards with a touchdown and an interception. The defense held MSU’s rushing attack in check, holding them to 88 yards and a touchdown on 37 carries.

14. RUTGERS 2-10 (0-9)

Rutgers fought hard against Penn State but lost 27-6. Quarterback Johnny Langan went 12/24 for 164 yards as he was able to move against the nifty Penn State defense.

Rutgers defense though had issues with stopping the running game, as Penn State ran for 252 yards and three touchdowns on 46 carries. Rutgers will be looking to be relevant again next year under their new (and old) head coach Greg Schiano

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Big Ten Championship Game: Wisconsin is part of a B1G trinity

Reflections on the Wisconsin Badgers’ sixth appearance in the Big Ten Championship Game.

Minnesota is in the rearview mirror. Let’s now move to the Big Ten Championship Game this upcoming Saturday against Ohio State. We have plenty of time to unpack numerous angles related to this contest. Let’s start with some aspects of Big Ten Championship Game history at the end of the first decade for this standalone event, which began in 2011.

It is fitting that Wisconsin and Michigan State played in the first Big Ten Championship Game, with Ohio State stuck for one season between the end of the Jim Tressel era and the beginning of the Urban Meyer era. Ohio State’s 2011 mess and its 2012 lack of eligibility for postseason play are why the Badgers have the most Big Ten Championship Game appearances at the end of the decade, with six. A 6 of 9 “shooting line” is 67 percent from the field, so to speak. That will do. It speaks to Wisconsin’s consistency and dependability as a program.

The surprise is not that Wisconsin has been consistent. It was consistent in the late 1990s. It was consistent in the several seasons immediately preceding the 2011 campaign, the first year with a Big Ten Championship Game. Wisconsin has generally been a 10-win program over the past two decades, with a brief period of drift in the early 2000s and an occasional ho-hum season (such as 2018 for Paul Chryst) in which a lot of things went wrong.

No, the surprise is not that Wisconsin has been consistent, or that Michigan State and Ohio State have also made multiple return trips to the Big Ten Championship Game in this decade, which is about to end. The surprise is that no one else in this conference has been particularly consistent at the higher end of performance.

Yes, Penn State has become fairly strong in recent seasons, and the Nittany Lions could become the team which makes an upward move among the Big Ten’s best teams in the 2020s. Yes, Michigan has not been terrible; its biggest sin under Jim Harbaugh is that it can’t match the juggernaut Urban assembled, and Ryan Day sustained this year, at Ohio State. Nevertheless, Michigan has not been relentlessly consistent in the way it used to be under Lloyd Carr. Yes, Minnesota could become the fresh new face in the top tier of the Big Ten in the coming decade.

Yet, all of them haven’t truly maintained a regular annual home in the top tier of the Big Ten. The first nine seasons of divisional play and a Big Ten Championship Game reveal that Wisconsin, Michigan State, and Ohio State are the ONLY three programs to make the Big Ten title game more than once.

Does that surprise you? Maybe the current pecking order in the Big Ten — with a second Wisconsin-Ohio State B1G championship showdown in three seasons — casts that statement in a different light. Maybe it is so expected that Ohio State and Wisconsin will win their respective divisions that the above fact doesn’t resonate very strongly. Fair enough.

Yet, I ask you to pause for a moment. Just absorb this question and what it means: In 2011, when the first Big Ten Championship Game was played, were you prepared to think that Michigan would not play in ANY of the first nine B1G title games?

Were you prepared to think that Nebraska would play in only one, and go seven years (and counting) without so much as a division title? Were you prepared to think after 2015 that Iowa would not get back to this game in the remainder of the decade?

The fact that we have had nine Big Ten title games (including this upcoming 2019 edition) means that 18 berths in the Big Ten Championship Game have been allotted in the past nine seasons. The leaderboard looks like this:

  • Wisconsin, 6 berths
  • Ohio State, 5
  • Michigan State, 3
  • Nebraska, Iowa, Penn State, and Northwestern, all with 1 apiece

The top two aren’t surprising at all, and in 2012, Ohio State would have qualified had it been eligible. The surprise is how few Big Ten programs have returned to Indy… and Michigan State, after so many strong seasons, is a program in decline, with Mark Dantonio’s career seemingly out of gas.

Wisconsin and Ohio State, it can reasonably be argued, are not only the two most reliable programs in the Big Ten; they might be the ONLY reliable programs in this conference.

Ohio State stays at No. 2 in Amway Coaches Poll, closes gap to LSU

The Ohio State Buckeyes stayed at No. 2 in the Amway Coaches Poll this week, but the gap to No. 1 LSU is shrinking.

The Ohio State Buckeyes stayed at No. 2 in the Amway Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports after throttling Michigan this week, but the gap to No. 1 LSU is shrinking.

LSU, for its own part, easily blew out Texas A&M, but that wasn’t enough for some voters to keep the Tigers over the Buckeyes. Last week, Ohio State trailed LSU by 51 points and only received seven first-place votes. This week, the gap between the two teams shrunk to 29 points, and the Buckeyes received 17 first-place votes.

Clemson and Georgia remained at No. 3 and 4, respectively, while Utah joined the Top 5 for the first time since the final ranking of the 2008 season. (Utah did reach the Top 5 of the AP Poll for a short time in 2015, but never was that high in the Amway Coaches’ Poll.) Alabama, who held the No. 5 spot last week, fell to No. 9 after its loss to Auburn.

The Big Ten once again leads the poll with six ranked teams, while the SEC trails with five. The Pac 12 and AAC each have three teams ranked, while the Big 12, SEC, and Mountain West each have two. One Sun Belt team and independent Notre Dame are each ranked as well.

Michigan fell a surprising seven spots, from No. 11 to No. 18, after its loss to Ohio State. Oklahoma State and Virginia Tech fell out of the poll this week, while Virginia and Air Force moved in. By my unofficial count, this is the first time that two service academies have been ranked in a major poll since 1958.

The Wisconsin Badgers, Ohio State’s opponent in the Big Ten Championship Game, will enter the game ranked at No. 10.

Ohio State prolongs Michigan’s misery with 8th straight win: 5 things we learned

Ohio State declawed its arch rival Michigan once again in a similar fashion as last year. Here’s five things we learned.

Michigan will have to wait yet another year to get a shot at Ohio State. The Buckeyes shook off a quick start from the Wolverines, got the big-play machine going and raced out to a big lead in Ann Arbor, then held on for their eighth-straight victory over Michigan 56-27.

The defense wasn’t it’s usual stout unit, but at the end of the day, you simply take the win in a rivalry game and move on. There were a lot of bizarre and unusual things that happened in this one, and plenty to take from what we saw.

As is customary, here’s five things we learned from yet another victory over That Team Up North.

Ohio State won the battle up front

Michigan’s defense has looked fantastic through the last few games. But … it had yet to meet an offensive line like Ohio State’s. This Buckeye O-line is big, strong, and athletic and were able to lean on the Wolverine front all game long.

The team that wins the rushing battle in this one wins almost every contest without fail, and you could see the control Ohio State and J.K. Dobbins had in making holes and pushing the point of attack. Sure, there were some big plays through the air, but the ground and pound was the difference in this one.

Next … soft in the passing game

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Wisconsin at Minnesota odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Wisconsin Badgers at Minnesota Golden Gophers sports betting odds and lines, with college football betting picks.

The Wisconsin Badgers (9-2, 6-2 Big Ten West) will do battle with the Minnesota Golden Gophers (10-1, 7-1 West) Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET. Not only with one of the best college football trophies (Paul Bunyan’s Axe) on the line, but this season’s game is even more meaningful with a trip to the Big Ten Championship Game up for grabs. We analyze the Wisconsin-Minnesota odds and betting lines, while providing college football betting tips and advice on this matchup.

Wisconsin at Minnesota: Three things you need to know

1. The Badgers limp into this game with a 1-4 against the spread mark across the past five games, although they’re an impressive 15-6 ATS in the past 21 on the road and 8-3 ATS in the past 11 away games against a team with a winning home mark.

2. The Golden Gophers have covered seven of the past eight overall while going 4-0 ATS in their past four home outings and 8-1 ATS in the past nine conference tilts.

3. Wisconsin ranks 14th in the nation with 251.2 rushing yards per game while ranking seventh in total yards allowed (270.3), sixth in passing yards allowed (169.9) and 10th in rushing yards allowed (100.4). Its 14.4 PPG allowed ranks eighth.

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Wisconsin at Minnesota: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 8 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Ohio State 37, Michigan 27

Moneyline (ML)

WISCONSIN (-154) will go into the Twin Cities and grab the axe with a win. The Badgers have a strong running back with RB Jonathan Taylor, who will be able to control the game. Minnesota (+125) has a bevy of quality backs as well; however, the Gophers haven’t faced a suffocating defense like Wisconsin possesses.

New to sports betting? Every $1 wagered for Wisconsin to win outright will return a profit of $6.50.

Against the Spread (ATS)

WISCONSIN (-2.5, -128) has the road trends in its favor, as the visitor is 4-0-1 ATS in the past five meetings. Minnesota (+2.5, +105) is catching points at home, though, and the underdog is 8-3-1 ATS in the previous 12 in this series. I think Taylor is the difference in this one, and he rips off a special game for the Badgers.

Over/Under (O/U)

The OVER 45.5 (-110) is usually the way to go here, hitting in 15 of the past 19 battles in this series. The Over is also 4-1 in Minny’s past five overall. For Wisconsin, the Under has hit in five of the past seven on the road, but the Over is 4-1 in the past five games in November.

Get some action on this game or others, place a bet with BetMGM today. And for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Ohio State vs. Michigan: How and where to watch and listen to the game Saturday

Want to catch Ohio State vs. Michigan in the latest installment of The Game. We’ve got your television, streaming, and radio information.

Here. We. Go.

It’s another installment of the greatest rivalry in American sports. It’s Scarlet and Gray mixed with Maize and Blue. It’s Ohio State vs. Michigan, more affectionately known as The Game.

You know the story. The Buckeyes have owned this rivalry for the better part of two decades now despite Michigan trying out a few coaches along the way. Now Jim Harbaugh is still stomping around on the sidelines looking to improve on his 0-4 record against Ohio State.

Early on this season, the thought of Michigan hanging with OSU was laughable. However, over the last few weeks, optimism is nearly at a boil with the Wolverines looking like a much improved team.

We know you’re watching, and that’s where we come in. If you don’t know how to find the game — whether your’re watching it on television, streaming the game, or listening on the radio — we’ve got all you need to know about how to find it on the next page.

Let’s get after it.

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Next … television, radio, streaming, game time, and venue

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Week 14 College Football Bowl Projections

With two weeks left in the college football season, let’s look at where each team currently stands in the bowl picture.

Welcome to the second set of bowl projections that I will be providing. Make sure not to miss Phil Harrison’s projections. Every week, Phil projects to the end of the season and gives you where he thinks the Big Ten teams will end up.

I, however, will not be predicting who will win games. Instead, these projections are based on where every team sits now. Meaning, if the season ended today, where would every team be heading to bowl games? That way, readers can know what their team needs to do to move up or down in bowl selection order.

Now, I do have to admit that a small bit of prognosticating is necessary. There are currently only 74 bowl-eligible teams, but there are 39 bowl games. So, only for the purposes of determining who will reach bowl eligibility, I am forced to predict some games. To avoid bias as much as possible in the process, I will assume that the favored team wins each remaining game, and I will use FPI, SP+, Sagarin, and a few others to determine who is “favored.” As of today, these projections say there will be 79 bowl-eligible teams. That number includes Missouri. The Tigers’ appeal has finally been denied by the NCAA, so they will not be appearing in a bowl game.

Also, remember that nowadays, bowl projections are more of an art than a science. Most conferences no longer allow the bowls to select teams in order, but instead provide “pools” of teams for certain tiers of bowls. The Group of 5 conferences often have no selection order preference. The conferences then work with the bowls to determine which team goes where. Anything can be the cause for this–geography, fan interests, matchup quality, whether the conference thinks its team is more likely to win, or any other reason. Therefore, at the end of this article, I will provide a list of which conference pools would be tied to which bowl. That way, you have as much information as possible when figuring out where each team could be headed.

Finally, keep in mind that these are based on what would happen if the season ends today. The season does not end today, though, so things will change between now and Selection Sunday. However, this is where each team stands right now. (As we approach Selection Sunday, we will be able to hear rumors and whispers as to which team is headed where. I do my best to keep track, and my projections the morning of Selection Sunday will be based mostly on those. For now, though, all we know is that BYU has accepted an invitation to the Hawaii Bowl.)

So, without further ado, here are this week’s bowl projections:

College Football Playoff

Peach Bowl Sat, Dec 28, 8:00 PM LSU vs Clemson
Fiesta Bowl Sat, Dec 28, 4:00 PM Ohio State vs Georgia

This is simple enough. No. 1 plays No. 4, and No. 2 plays No. 3. The committee will ensure that the No. 1 team is not given a geographic disadvantage, so Ohio State will not be forced to play Georgia in Atlanta.

The times for these matchups are flexible and not yet set, but given that Ohio State vs Georgia will likely be the bigger draw, I expect that to be the game given primetime billing.

Next… NY6 and other Big Ten bowls

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