Week Thirteen Bowl Projections
Mark Schlabach (ESPN) – Wisconsin vs. Missouri
Brad Edwards (ESPN) – Michigan State vs. South Carolina
Scout.com/CollegeFootballNews.com – Wisconsin vs. Auburn
Jerry Palm – Michigan State vs. Texas A&M
ESPN Big Ten & SEC Blogs – Michigan State vs. South Carolina
Big Ten Network- Michigan State vs. Texas A&M
SB Nation– Michigan State vs. Missouri
Athlon Sports–Michigan State vs. Texas A&M
Sporting News–Wisconsin vs. South Carolina
Orlando Sentinel– Michigan State vs. Missouri
Stewart Mandel/SI– Michigan State vs. Texas A&M
USA Today– Wisconsin vs. South Carolina
Michigan State and Wisconsin remain the two Big Ten teams targeted by the media projections to appear in the Capital One Bowl. In the SEC things remain uncertain heading into the final week of the regular season with four teams all appearing in projections.
Michigan State (10-1, 7-0 Big 10) appears in the majority of projections out of the Big Ten for the third straight week. The Spartans blew past Northwestern 30-6 last weekend to clinch a berth in the Big Ten Championship game. Michigan State closes out the regular season against Minnesota (8-3, 4-3 Big Ten) this weekend before facing Ohio State on December 7th in Indianapolis. This will be the second appearance in three years for the Spartans in the Championship game.
Wisconsin (9-2, 6-1 Big Ten) dropped Minnesota 20-7 this past weekend. The Badger defense forced three Minnesota fumbles and limited the Gophers to just 185 total yards. Wisconsin, who closes out the regular season against Penn State (6-5, 3-4 Big Ten) this weekend, still very much remains in contention for a BCS at large bid depending on the results from the next two weekends.
The SEC side of the Capital One Bowl continues to remain cloudy but Missouri (10-1, 6-1 SEC) was the top vote getter this week. The Tigers took care of Ole Miss 24-10 this past weekend to move one game away from a berth in the SEC Championship game. Quarterback James Franklin returned from an injury and threw for 142 yards while adding 42 yards on the ground. Mizzou welcomes Texas A&M (8-3, 4-3 SEC) to Columbia this weekend.
If Mizzou were to trip up against Texas A&M then South Carolina (9-2, 6-2 SEC) would represent the SEC East in the SEC Championship Game. The Gamecocks blew past Coastal Carolina 70-10 this weekend. South Carolina rushed the ball for 352 yards and seven touchdowns in the win. Carolina will play in the Battle of the Palmetto State, against Clemson (10-1, 7-1 ACC), this weekend to close out the regular season.
Auburn (10-1, 6-1 SEC) enters the Iron Bowl with a spot in the SEC Championship Game on the line. The Tigers sat idle this weekend before taking on the No. 1 team and back-to-back National Champions Alabama (11-0, 7-0 SEC) this weekend. Despite losing four of the last five to Alabama, Auburn holds the advantage in the series since 2000, winning eight of thirteen matchups.
Texas A&M (8-3, 4-3 SEC) remains in the projections despite dropping a 34-10 decision to LSU this past weekend. The Tiger defense stymied Johnny Manziel limiting him to just 16-of-41 passing with two interceptions. The Aggies close out the regular season against former Big 12 conference foe Missouri.