Big Ten Football way-too-early 2020 bowl projections, College Football Playoff picks

The Big Ten has a rich, rich history in historical bowl games, and the expectations are set for that to continue in 2020 — at least as long as we have a season. Here at Buckeyes Wire, we’re keeping with tradition and giving you a peek at where we think all the teams in the conference will end up when all the dust settles on the season, but way, way ahead of time.

With the entire sports world shut down right now, the hope is that there is still a college football season — health and safety willing — and that we can look ahead to what we think every Big Ten team is going to do.

So who will contend for the College Football Playoff and New Year’s Six Bowls? What teams might surprise and sneak into a bowl, and what other teams are going to have a decent end to the season.

Here’s an early, early look at some bowl projections for Big Ten teams, and what the College Football Playoff might look like.

Also, keep in mind that these scenarios are very complicated with projecting when there are not enough teams from certain conferences with tie-ins, and the agreements with bowls to not repeat the same program over a certain time-frame if at all possible.

Next … The bowl lineup

Cheez-it Bowl

DATE – TBD
8:00 ET, ESPN
Chase Field, Phoenix, AZ
Big Ten vs. Big 12
*Early Spring Projection: Illinois vs. West Virginia
Last Season: Air Force 31, Washington State 21

Las Vegas Bowl

Date – TBD
ESPN
Sam Boyd Stadium, Las Vegas, NV
Big Ten vs. Pac-12
* Early Spring Projection: Iowa vs. Utah
Last Season: Washington 38, Boise State 7

New Era Pinstripe Bowl

Date – TBD
ESPN
Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY
Big Ten vs. ACC
* Early Spring Projection: Nebraska vs. North Carolina
Last Season: Michigan State 27, Wake Forest 21

Next … Continued

Quick Lane Bowl

Date – TBD
ESPN
Ford Field, Detroit, MI
Big Ten vs. MAC
*Early Spring Projection: Michigan State vs. Kent State
Last Season: Pitt 34, Eastern Michigan 30

Redbox Bowl

Date – TBD
FOX
Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA
Big Ten vs. Pac-12
*Early Spring Projection: Purdue vs. USC 
Last Season: Cal 35, Illinois 20

Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl

Date – TBD
ESPN
Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN
Big Ten vs. SEC
*Early Spring Projection: Minnesota vs. Kentucky
Last Season: Louisville 38, Mississippi State 28

Next … Continued

VRBO Citrus Bowl

Friday, January 1
1:00 ET, ESPN
Camping World Stadium, Orlando, FL
Big Ten vs. SEC
*Early Spring Projection: Penn State vs. Auburn
Last Season: Alabama 35, Michigan 16

Outback Bowl

Friday, January 1
1:00 ET, ESPN
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
Big Ten vs. SEC
*Early Spring Projection: Michigan vs. LSU
Last Season: Minnesota 31, Auburn 24

Playstation Fiesta Bowl (New Year’s Six)

Saturday, January 2
ESPN
State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ
New Year’s Six at-large vs. New Year’s Six at-large
*Early Spring Projection: Wisconsin vs. Oregon 
Last Season: Clemson 29, Ohio State 23

Next … the College Football Playoff games

Rose Bowl

Friday, January 1
5:00 ET, ESPN
Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA
CFP at-large vs. CFP at-large
*Early Spring Projection: Ohio State vs. Georgia
Last Season: Oregon 28, Wisconsin 27

AllState Sugar Bowl

Friday, January 1
8:45 ET, ESPN
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, New Orleans, LA
CFP at-large vs. CFP at-large
*Early Spring Projection: Clemson vs. Alabama 
Last Season: Georgia 26, Baylor 14

College Football Playoff National Championship

Monday, January 11
8:00 ET, ESPN
Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
CFP semifinal winner vs. CFP semifinal winner
*Early Spring Projection: Ohio State vs. Clemson