Big Ten Bowl Schedule, Early Lines & Picks
Big Ten bowl schedule, including early lines and picks, including a look at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl as Michigan State tries to defeat Alabama and make the College Football Playoff National Championship game.
The Big Ten bowl schedule for 2015-16 features a College Football Playoff semifinal game between Michigan State and Alabama, as well as an Ohio State-Notre Dame Fiesta Bowl showdown. Those two games alone may be the most intriguing this postseason.
2015-16 Big Ten Bowl Schedule & Early Picks
Goodyear Cotton Bowl
Thursday, December 31, 8:00 pm ET, ESPN
AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX
Playoff vs. Playoff
Matchup: Alabama vs. Michigan State
It’s the Big Ten vs. Alabama Round 2. This time Michigan State gets a crack at the Crimson Tide, with a shot at the College Football Playoff title game on the line. But can the Spartans stop Derrick Henry and the monster Alabama lines? That’ll be one of the keys in this one.
Early Pick: Alabama 27, Michigan State 23
Early Line: Alabama -9.5
Fiesta Bowl
Friday, January 1, 1:00 pm ET, ESPN
University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, AZ
Notre Dame vs. Ohio State
Sure, the Buckeyes aren’t in the College Football Playoff, but are we sure that Ohio State isn’t one of the best four teams in America? After the close loss to Michigan State, the Buckeyes took out their frustration on rival Michigan. They now play a Notre Dame team with no real quality wins on the season. Expect RB Ezekiel Elliott to get the ball early and often in his Buckeye farewell.
Early Pick: Ohio State 34, Notre Dame 23
Early Line: Ohio State -6.5
Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual
Friday, January 1, 5:00 pm ET, ESPN
Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA
Iowa vs. Stanford
How will these two teams react to being so close to making the College Football Playoff? Playing in the Rose Bowl is still a big deal, but you have to figure some sort of hangover effect will take place. Cardinal RB Christian McCaffrey has had an amazing year, and will face a Hawkeyes defense that loves to punish runners. It should be a good one in Pasadena.
Early Line: Stanford -6.5
New Era Pinstripe Bowl
Saturday, December 26, 3:30 pm, ABC
Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY
Duke vs. Indiana
Duke and Indiana will square off in New York for basketba … scratch that, football supremacy. Duke took a nosedive in the second half of the season, while Indiana has played tough all year long.
Early Pick: Indiana 37, Duke 30
Early Line: Indiana -2
Foster Farms Bowl
Saturday, December 26, 9:15 pm ET, ESPN
Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA
Nebraska vs. UCLA
The Bruins reward for missing out on the Pac-12 title game? Playing a 5-7 Nebraska team in a bowl game. UCLA should be able to easily beat the Cornhuskers, who tend to defeat themselves by turning the ball over at a rapid pace.
Early Pick: UCLA 37, Nebraska 31
Early Line: UCLA -6.5
Quick Lane Bowl
Monday, December 28, 5:00 pm, ESPN2
Ford Field, Detroit, MI
Central Michigan vs. Minnesota
While Central Michigan had a good season, Minnesota is only in this bowl because there weren’t enough eligible teams. Still, the Golden Gophers haven’t won a bowl game since 2004, and will use this opportunity to finish with at least a .500 record.
Early PIck: Minnesota 30, Central Michigan 21
Early Line: Minnesota -6
National University Holiday Bowl
Wednesday, December 30, 10:30 pm ET, ESPN
Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, CA
USC vs. Wisconsin
The reaction by the USC team when hearing Todd Helton would stay on as head coach is all you need to know about his influence on the Trojans. It has been an up-and-down season for USC, but Helton has turned things around. Wisconsin, on the other hand, just hasn’t done much this season despite the Badgers’ nine wins.
Early Pick: Wisconsin 26, USC 23
Early Line: USC -3
Outback Bowl
Friday, January 1, 12:00 pm ET, ESPN2
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
Northwestern vs. Tennessee
Northwestern has an outstanding defense, but the offense struggles mightily. Tennessee was hot down the home stretch, winning its last five games. Vols QB Josh Dobbs will be the difference maker in this one.
Early Pick: Tennessee 38, Northwestern 13
Early Line: Tennessee -8.5
Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl
Friday, January 1, 12:00 pm ET, ABC
Orlando Citrus Bowl, Orlando, FL
Michigan vs. Florida
If only Florida had a quarterback. The Gators don’t, which means it will be an easy outing for Michigan’s spectacular defense. Florida’s D, which may be even better, will keep the Gators in it for a while, but will eventually wear down.
Early Pick: Michigan 27, Florida 10
Early Line: Michigan -5
TaxSlayer Bowl
Saturday, January 2, 12:00 pm ET, ESPN
EverBank Field, Jacksonville, FL
Penn State vs. Georgia
Both of these programs underachieved in 2015. Georgia fired former head coach Mark Richt, while Penn State did nothing of note under current head coach James Franklin. The Nittany Lions have just a little bit more to play for.
Early Pick: Penn State 17, Georgia 16
Early Line: Georgia -7
