Rutgers' Bowl Game Journey - A Tale of Choices and Chances

Illinois: Standing Out in the Muck

Illinois clearly emerges as the best among the non-top-four teams by reaching the nine-win mark. Despite a loss to Minnesota, their resume is solid with wins over Kansas, Michigan, and Nebraska. This shows their consistency and ability to compete at a high level.

They have shown resilience and determination, making them a strong candidate for a bowl game. Their performance throughout the season has earned them a place in the discussion for postseason berths.

Picking Iowa vs. Michigan

With Michigan's big win over Ohio State, their overall resume comes into play. But how does it stack up against Iowa? It's a close call. Michigan may get the nod due to recency bias and its status as the reigning national champion with a large fan base.

Both teams have their strengths and weaknesses, and it will be a tough decision for the selection committees. Whichever team is chosen will add excitement to their respective bowl games.

Who Goes to Music City?

In this scenario, three teams are vying for the Music City Bowl spot: Minnesota (7-5, 5-4), Rutgers (7-5, 4-5), and Nebraska (6-6, 3-6). Minnesota has a more complete resume with wins over ranked teams like then-No. 11 USC and No. 24 Illinois.

However, Rutgers beat Minnesota 26-19, and Nebraska has a 14-7 head-to-head win over Rutgers. This creates a complex situation for the selection committees, as they weigh the various factors.

The Bottom Line

It will likely come down to the Music City Bowl's preference between Minnesota and Rutgers. Rutgers has the head-to-head win, which seems like a strong tiebreaker. But Minnesota's overall resume is hard to ignore, with two ranked wins.

Rutgers lost to both of those ranked teams, and coming into the weekend, Minnesota was polling better. The Golden Gophers had an average ranking of 37.8 compared to 57.8 for Rutgers. This adds another layer of complexity to the decision.

If Minnesota lands the Music City Bowl, Rutgers will be relegated to the Rate Bowl. And due to a variety clause, Rutgers cannot play in the Pinstripe Bowl for the second straight year. The team's fate now hangs in the balance.