The B1G is a hard conference to get a grasp on this season. There are easy parts to decipher — like Ohio State and Michigan being far above the rest of the field.

There also are more difficult parts.

Like, for example, what to do with teams like Michigan State and Wisconsin. The Badgers looked bad in last week’s loss, but rebounded and could be a team to do some damage during bowl season. Michigan State faced its first true test of the year and failed miserably in a loss to Washington, yet the Spartans still may be the No. 4 team in the conference.

Finally, will it be Ohio State or Michigan to reach the College Football Playoff by year’s end? It seems at least one of them is on a collision course with Alabama, and it could (and likely will) all come down to the anticipated Nov. 26 matchup when the Buckeyes host the Wolverines.

As of now, we have 9 B1G programs projected to earn bowl bids. It would be more were Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska and even Illinois not feeding off each other at the bottom or losing to unranked teams. As of now, it seems like several of those listed could finish the season with 5 wins and just miss out on bowl eligibility.

The B1G postseason slate looks similar to last season. The conference will add the Duke’s Mayo Bowl to its lineup instead of the Las Vegas Bowl. Wisconsin downed Arizona State last year in Las Vegas, but the bowl rotates between the SEC and B1G on a year-to-year basis, meaning a B1G coach will have the chance to earn the coveted mayo bath.

B1G bowl projections following Week 3

Fiesta Bowl (Playoff semifinal): Ohio State vs. Alabama

Rose Bowl: Michigan vs. USC

Cotton Bowl: Penn State vs. BYU

Citrus Bowl: Michigan State vs. Ole Miss

Music City Bowl: Wisconsin vs. Arkansas

Duke’s Mayo Bowl: Maryland vs. Florida State

Guaranteed Rate Bowl: Illinois vs Kansas

Pinstripe Bowl: Purdue vs. North Carolina