Nowhere to go but up or down

WEll that was certainly a disaster.

Shawn, I should have left at halftime just like you did. From what I can recall...the Badgers showed no heart and no fire during the second half. Injuries and suspensions take their toll, but they take their toll on every team.
I know this team can turn things around, but have they shown us any reason to expect that?

5 games left, three are very winnable. Win those 3 and split with Michigan/OSU and 9-3 doesn't look like too bad of a season- not for this college football season, at least.

So where does that leave us in the conference? Let's check out my power rankings which will last all of a week:

1. Ohio State: The best team, the best defense, and the only one who is unblemished all season
2. Michigan: A long way back for the maize and blue. This is the team I expected to see back in September.
3. Illinois: They finally got trapped. I think they might be a little overrated, but we'll see on Saturday against the Wolverines
4. Penn State: Impressive game against an unimpressive team. If they can score 31 a game they will be tough to beat
5. Wisconsin: Awful effort yesterday. The defense is bad and now we have offensive issues. Coach B is going to have to get the train back on the track, soon. Otherwise a 7-5 season would not surprise me
6. Michigan State: Huge win yesterday. This team has been a good surprise
7. Indiana: Ouch. Hoosiers will go bowling, but they have not reached the top half of the Big 10...yet
8. Purdue: Hey, this is the Purdue team we know and love. Welcome back guys, we missed you
9. Iowa: Unlike the Badgers they can play defense. However, this team will be lucky to win 2 more conference games
10. Northwestern: I'm sorry, I am just not that impressed with a one point win at home over Minny
11. Minnesota: They'll win a game against a team they should not beat. I'm just worried it might be our team


Ok, so where does that leave us with Bowl projections? 9 teams, 9!!! Have a good chance at winning 6 games and going bowling. Right now only one team is bowl eligible, but 7 teams (7!!!!!!) are just one win away with 5 to play. Northwestern needs two wins and should get one next week against Eastern Michigan, in a game that, for reasons passing understanding, will be played at Ford Field.
Iowa needs 3 wins, but they have Western Mich at home and some other games that they can win.

For the sake of my sanity, lets say Iowa does not qualify.
Also, I am basing these projections on where things stand right now and how I think they will go the rest of the year.

Rose Bowl: Michigan (7-1)
Sugar Bowl: Ohio State (7-1)
Capitol One Bowl: Illinois (5-3)
Outback Bowl: Wisconsin (5-3)
Alamo Bowl: Penn State (4-4)
Champs Sports Bowl: Indiana (4-4)
Insight Bowl: Michigan State (3-5)
Motor City Bowl: Purdue (3-5)
MISC low-tier game: Northwestern (3-5)

Of course, if Iowa becomes bowl eligible they would probably bump everyone from Indiana on down. And, if the conference does not field 2 BCS teams (and Wisconsin, Illinois and Michigan have 0 margin for error when it comes to an at-large birth) this could further muddy the waters.

If Wisconsin does go to the Outback Bowl I can see the Badgers playing Tennessee, Auburn, Kentucky, or South Carolina. Afterall, as crazy as the Big 10 has been, it is still not SEC crazy.