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If there’s one thing that we learned from the B1G this week, it’s that Penn State isn’t a pushover.
Squarely No. 3 in the B1G? Yes, though No. 17 Illinois will have some words about that one. The Fighting Illini looked good defeating Nebraska to earn their 7th win of the year. Illinois’ matchup against Michigan in mid-November would catapult the Illini over Penn State’s tougher schedule. There seems to be little chance Illinois falls lower than a Citrus Bowl selection barring a major collapse.
Four B1G teams were on a bye this week, including 3 in bowl contention: Wisconsin, Purdue and Maryland. The Boilermakers received a new opponent in the Mayo bowl in our projections, but otherwise there was little movement.
Iowa continued to do what it needed to to crack 6 wins with a victory over Northwestern. The Hawkeyes still need 2 wins from games vs. Purdue, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Nebraska.
Michigan State’s case looks bleak. The Spartans will need a win over either Illinois or Penn State to have a chance to crack the necessary 6-win threshold. With how Mel Tucker’s crew is playing, that seems unlikely.
Probably, only 1 B1G program will reach the College Football Playoff. Ohio State and Michigan will battle for that spot when they meet in Columbus to close the regular season on Nov. 26.
B1G bowl projections following Week 9
Fiesta Bowl (Playoff semifinal): Ohio State vs. Clemson
Rose Bowl: Michigan vs. Oregon
Orange Bowl: Penn State vs. North Carolina
Citrus Bowl: Illinois vs. LSU
Duke’s Mayo Bowl: Purdue vs. Wake Forest
Pinstripe Bowl: Minnesota vs. Duke
Guaranteed Rate Bowl: Wisconsin vs Kansas
Quick Lane Bowl: Iowa vs. Eastern Michigan
Ethan Stone was an editor for his student newspaper at the University of Tennessee and is now a News Manager for Saturday Tradition.