Big Ten Week 11 Bowl Projections: Is Lincoln Riley's USC still in contention for postseason eligibility?
The 2024 college football season is entering the final stretch as things shift to Week 11, and the Big Ten has been great throughout the year. The 18 teams in the conference are a combined 94-62 over the first 10 weeks of the season, including a dominant 42-10 mark in nonconference games.
The Big Ten has four teams ranked in the latest rendition of the AP Top 25 Poll, with each team among the top eight nationally. Two additional programs were among the others receiving votes, meaning six of the conference's 18 teams got recognition from the voters.
Seven teams have already reached six wins, while only one is mathematically eliminated from reaching that mark. ESPN gives three additional teams a 75% chance or better of winning at least six games to be deemed bowl-eligible.
Lincoln Riley's USC Trojans, who are just 4-5 in their first season of Big Ten play, were the conference's only team ranked in the preseason AP Top 25 Poll to fall short of that benchmark. They will need two wins in their final three games, which will come against the Nebraska Cornhuskers, UCLA Bruins and No. 10-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish, to become bowl-eligible.
Take a look at a prediction of the Big Ten's postseason picture below.
Big Ten Week 11 Bowl Projections
College Football Playoff bye: Ohio State Buckeyes
While several teams could be deserving of making the playoffs from the Big Ten, the No. 3-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes get the nod here. They are ranked third in the conference standings, but control their destiny to a postseason bye following their Week 10 victory over the No. 6-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions.
The prediction here is that they beat the No. 8-ranked Indiana Hoosiers to leapfrog them in the standings and earn a trip to the Big Ten championship game. The Buckeyes will have the opportunity to avenge their 32-31 road loss to the No. 1-ranked Oregon Ducks on a neutral field.
College Football Playoff semifinals: Oregon Ducks, Penn State Nittany Lions and Indiana Hoosiers
The No. 1-ranked Oregon Ducks, No. 6-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions and No. 8-ranked Indiana Hoosiers are grouped together. All three teams have a clear path to the postseason but will fall short of the conference's lone first-round bye.
GameAbove Sports Bowl: Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Western Michigan Broncos
The Nebraska Cornhuskers are the lone team listed with a less than 75% chance of reaching six wins. They sit at 5-4 and will have a bye weekend before visiting the USC Trojans in Week 12.
Rate Bowl: Michigan Wolverines vs. Kansas State Wildcats
The Michigan Wolverines are one win away from bowl-eligibility as they are 5-4. They will visit the No. 8 Indiana Hoosiers in Week 11.
Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl: Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Louisville Cardinals
The Illinois Fighting Illini are another bowl-eligible team, as they also sit at 6-3 entering Week 11. They will have an off this weekend before hosting the Michigan State Spartans in Week 12.
Valero Alamo Bowl: Washington Huskies vs. Iowa State Cyclones
The Washington Huskies are 5-4 and just one win away from bowl eligibility. They are set to visit the No. 6 Penn State Nittany Lions in Week 11.
TransPerfect Music City Bowl: Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. South Carolina Gamecocks
The Minnesota Golden Gophers are yet another Big Ten team that has already qualified for bowl season as they are 6-3. They will visit the Rutgers Scarlet Knights this weekend.
ReliaQuest Bowl: Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Ole Miss Rebels
The Iowa Hawkeyes are already bowl-eligible as they are 6-3. They will visit the UCLA Bruins in Week 11.
Cheez-It Citrus Bowl: Wisconsin Badgers vs. Texas A&M Aggies
The Wisconsin Badgers have started 5-4 and need just one more win for bowl eligibility. They will have Week 11 off before visiting the No. 1 Oregon Ducks next weekend.