Big Ten Bowl Projections after Week 5: Way-too-early postseason picture for Ohio State, Oregon and more

Ohio State Buckeyes (left); Oregon Ducks (right)
Ohio State Buckeyes (left); Oregon Ducks (right)

The 2024 college football season is in full swing as things shift to Week 6, and the Big Ten has been great in the early stages. The 18 teams in the conference are a combined 56-24 over the first five weeks of the season, including a dominant 42-10 mark in nonconference games.

The Big Ten has seven teams ranked in the latest rendition of the AP Top 25 Poll, trailing the SEC by one for the most in the nation. Three additional teams were among the others receiving votes.

Eight teams have at least four wins with one loss or less, while two other teams are 3-1. ESPN gives 11 teams a 75% chance or better of winning at least six games to be deemed bowl-eligible. Ten of those teams' chances sit at 92.7% or better. Take a look at an early prediction of the Big Ten's postseason picture.

Big Ten Bowl Projections after Week 5

College Football Playoff bye: Ohio State Buckeyes

The No. 3-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes have been elite throughout the first four games of the season, which have all ended in a blowout, as they have outscored their opponents 195-27. They will host the Iowa Hawkeyes in Week 6.

College Football Playoff semifinals: Oregon Ducks, Penn State Nittany Lions and Michigan Wolverines

The No. 6-ranked Oregon Ducks, No. 7-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions and No. 10-ranked Michigan Wolverines are grouped together. All three teams are projected to reach the postseason but fall short of a first-round bye.

Detroit Bowl: Maryland Terrapins vs. Eastern Michigan Eagles

The Maryland Terrapins have started 3-2, dropping their first two games of Big Ten play. They will have a bye in Week 6.

Guaranteed Rate Bowl: Indiana Hoosiers vs. Colorado Buffaloes

The No. 23-ranked Indiana Hoosiers are off to a 5-0 start, including a 2-0 mark in Big Ten play. They will face the Northwestern Wildcats in Week 6.

Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl: Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Louisville Cardinals

The No. 24-ranked Illinois Fighting Illini have started the season 4-1 and 1-1 in conference play, suffering their first loss of the season in Week 5. They will have a bye this weekend.

Valero Alamo Bowl: USC Trojans vs. Iowa State Cyclones

The No. 11-ranked USC Trojans are off to a 3-1 start, which includes a 1-1 record in conference play, after picking up their first-ever Big Ten win last weekend. The Trojans are set to visit the Minnesota Golden Gophers in Week 6.

TransPerfect Music City Bowl: Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. South Carolina Gamecocks

The Nebraska Cornhuskers have started the season 4-1, including splitting their first two games of Big Ten play. They will host the Rutgers Scarlet Knights this weekend.

ReliaQuest Bowl: Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Ole Miss Rebels

The Iowa Hawkeyes are 3-1 this season, including winning their only conference matchup. They will have a bye in Week 6 before facing the No. 3-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes. Following that matchup, the remainder of their schedule features seven winnable matchups.

Cheez-It Citrus Bowl: Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs. Texas A&M Aggies

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights have started the season undefeated through four games, winning their Big Ten opener last weekend. They will visit the Nebraska Cornhuskers in Week 6.

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Edited by Glen Danquah
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