Bowl Projections for Nebraska Football: Rose Bowl Still in Play
Oct 10, 2015; Lincoln, NE, USA; Herbie Husker entertains the Nebraska Cornhuskers fans waiting for the team to arrive before the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
With the regular season wrapping up within the next few weeks, the next step for Nebraska Football is waiting to see what bowl game they are placed in.
The Nebraska Cornhuskers are nearing the end of the regular season, which means bowl game selection time is almost here.
The Huskers potentially could end up in any number of bowl games, and obviously fans would love to see Big Red playing in the granddaddy of them all, the Rose Bowl Game. That, however, will take some help.
There are several other possibilities for the Huskers, and all of them are strong, prestigious games. So where might we see Nebraska football playing after the regular season is over?
Nov 12, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; General view of the Rose Bowl exterior before a NCAA football game between the Oregon State Beavers and the UCLA Bruins. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
ROSE BOWL
5 pm – Mon. January 2, 2017
Rose Bowl
Pasadena, Ca.
In a perfect world, the Nebraska Football would qualify for the Rose Bowl. As much as I would love to see this happen, I just don’t think it is feasible.
As most people are aware, the Rose Bowl is the oldest bowl game and takes place in Pasadena, preceded by the famous Rose Bowl parade as usual. This year’s bowl game will be a match up of the highest-ranking teams from the Big Ten and Pac-12 Conferences that do not make it to the playoffs.
In order for this to happen, many games would have to line up perfectly. First of all, Nebraska would have to win their last two games, which is definitely possible. Secondly, Nebraska would need Wisconsin and Penn State to lose one or both of their games due to the fact they would both have the upper-hand over Nebraska.
All of this is possible, but unlikely because it would require Wisconsin losing to Purdue and Minnesota and Penn State losing to Rutgers and Michigan State.
While fans would love to see this happen, it doesn’t seem to be a viable possibility.
Jan 1, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Butch Jones is presented the trophy as they beat the Northwestern Wildcats in the 2016 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Tennessee Volunteers defeated the Northwestern Wildcats 45-6. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
OUTBACK BOWL
1 pm – Mon. January 2, 2017
Raymond James Stadium
Tampa, Fl.
Personally, I am crossing my fingers that we end up in the Outback bowl. This is a bowl game held in pretty high regard, and I believe it would be a good fit for the team after the season they’ve had.
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The Outback Bowl is a match-up of the third pick of teams from the SEC and the Big Ten. It’s a New Year’s Day bowl game, and it’s usually the kick-off game of the day. Last season we saw Northwestern lose to Tennessee in the bowl 45-6 and in 2014 we saw Wisconsin beat Auburn 34-31.
In order to get there, though a certain line of events will have to fall into place. First of all, Nebraska is going to have to win out for the rest of the season, beating Maryland at home and Iowa the day after Thanksgiving.
Along with this, Wisconsin would also have to win out, allowing them to win the Big Ten West. They would not have to worry about Ohio State, Michigan or Penn State making the playoff.
I, along with many other Husker fans, would be more than happy to see the Huskers in the Outback Bowl after the season, and especially because it would be a huge upgrade from last year’s Foster Farms Bowl.
Dec 30, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; General view of the Music City Bowl logo prior to the game between the Texas A&M Aggies and Louisville Cardinals in the 2015 Music City Bowl at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
MUSIC CITY BOWL
3:30 pm – Fri. December 30, 2016
Nissan Stadium
Nashville, Tn.
If everything goes wrong and we lose both of our last two games, we would most likely end up in the Music City Bowl, which is a match-up between members of the SEC, Big Ten or ACC and is located in Nashville. Last year Louisville and Texas A&M played in the game and we saw Louisville win, with Heisman front-runner Lamar Jackson winning MVP.
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This wouldn’t be the worst place for Nebraska to finish the season, as it’s become a more visible bowl with marquee teams over the past few years. Should the Huskers land here it’s possible that we’d get a rematch with the Georgia Bulldogs, who Nebraska has played in the 2013 Capital One Bowl and the 2014 Gator Bowl.
Dec 27, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; The USC Trojans walk onto the field before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the 2014 Holiday Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
HOLIDAY BOWL
7 pm – Tues. December 27, 2016
Qualcomm Stadium
San Diego, Ca.
The Holiday Bowl is located in San Diego and is a match-up of Pac-12 and Big Ten teams. Wisconsin and USC played in this game last year, with Wisconsin coming out on top 23-21. If this scenario happens, Nebraska will be competing against Big Ten teams likes Minnesota and Iowa for a spot in these games.
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Whatever happens will be fine no matter what, as we will be eligible for a string of decent bowl games. It is best not to jump to any conclusions as to where we will end up now though, since we have two more games left to play, and anything could happen.
Make sure to tune in or go to the game against Maryland this weekend at 11:00! Go Big Red!