Bowl Projections

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#51      
As things stand today, I'm guessing we're locked in to one of three games: Quick Lane Bowl, Pinstripe Bowl, Redbox Bowl. Again, this is as things stand today. A win against Iowa followed by a triumph over that other school coupled with a loss and ouster from the CFB Playoffs for Ohio State would both have broad implications on our likely scenario. How Indiana finishes could also makes things interesting. Armed Forces probably isn't an option, to my dismay. MSU will get the last spot and end up with that one. Based on what I know now, here are the Twangers completely speculative/borderline worthless bowl projections:

Quick Lane Bowl
December 26, 2019 7:00PM CST
Detroit, MI

Illinois vs. Louisville
Best Alternate Option: Illinois vs. Florida State

Pinstripe Bowl
December 27, 2019 2:30CST
New York, NY

Illinois vs. Virginia Tech
Best Alternate Option: Illinois vs. Winner of North Carolina vs. North Carolina State

Redbox Bowl
December 30, 2019 3:00CST
Santa Clara, CA

Illinois vs. Arizona State
Best Alternate Option: Illinois vs. California
 
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#52      

IlliniReb

Dallas-Fort Worth
Selfishly, really really want Armed Forces as it's 25 minutes from my door. Is there any realistic chance/scenario we go there?
 
#53      
Selfishly, really really want Armed Forces as it's 25 minutes from my door. Is there any realistic chance/scenario we go there?

I don't see it, as much as it pains me. MSU is likely gonna get the last in and will end up with that game.
 
#54      
I reaaaaaly don’t want the pinstripe bowl. Pretty much northeast or northwest are the only two locations we won’t go for a bowl.

North Midwest (i.e. quick lane) is fine, and anywhere else besides northwest and north east.

Come on kids, win two more for my sake. Uh, I mean, your sakes and the program’s sake.
 
#55      
Gator, Redbox or Holiday Bowl would be most likely it seems?
 
#58      
what is the record you’re thinking we have for these bowls?

I admit openly that I have a fairly poor track record of projecting bowl participants accurately. Other friends/colleagues are much better, it’s an inexact science and frankly not all that fun when your school never plays (Not my problem now!). That said, after much analysis, I see no scenario in which the Holiday is a realistic option for us. Based on structure and where teams will finish, that game likely goes to Michigan.

You’re gonna need 8 to get to the Gator Bowl I would think. And then it’s between us and Indiana.
 
#59      

mhuml32

Cincinnati, OH
I'm sure I'm going to get torched for this comment but I'm not sure I want that Gator Bowl. Playing that quality of an opponent would not provide the best of odds, it's the higher risk rolling of the dice. If you win, it can create some interesting momentum for recruiting and PR, but a blowout is also on the table and a loss is most likely. I'm completely cool with something like the Red Box Bowl and getting a competitive game, a trip to California for the team, and seeing Illinois match up with a Pac-12 of similar stature.
 
#60      

Dan

Admin
Here's a breakdown of the B1G bowl tie-ins-
https://collegefootballnews.com/201...ll-bowl-ties-affiliations-for-each-conference

CFB Playoff team(s)
Rose Bowl
Citrus Bowl
Outback Bowl
Holiday Bowl
Most likely Gator Bowl vs SEC (no Iowa or PSU if possible)
Pinstripe Bowl vs ACC (no Indiana, Iowa, Northwestern, Penn State or Wisconsin would be the preference however that's not set in stone)
Redbox Bowl vs Pac-12 (no Indiana, Maryland, Michigan State, Nebraska or Purdue, if possible)
Quick Lane Bowl vs. ACC
Armed Forces Bowl vs. Mountain West
 
#62      
From a fan base standpoint, Redbox would be a great bowl. We have ton of Bay Area grads. It’s one of our largest non Chicago area alumni networks (or at least it was 10 years ago). I wouldn’t be surprised to see us receive an invitation there. But regardless of where we go, it will feel like the national championship game to me.
 
#63      

mhuml32

Cincinnati, OH
Give me the Gator.

8-4 overall and 6-3 (2nd place) in the West, with wins over Wisconsin, Iowa and Michigan State. I'll welcome the pressure of facing a premiere opponent!!!

Not to counter my point, but beating Iowa likely eradicates my concern and the program should welcome that challenge, and getting into Gator Bowl likely requires Illinois beating Iowa (and Northwestern).
 
#64      

mhuml32

Cincinnati, OH
Not to counter my point, but beating Iowa likely eradicates my concern and the program should welcome that challenge, and getting into Gator Bowl likely requires Illinois beating Iowa (and Northwestern).


And gosh darn it, just beating EMU earlier this year would likely mean Illinois would be receiving votes right now. I'll be playing the "what if" with that game for the rest of my life.
 
#65      
From a fan base standpoint, Redbox would be a great bowl. We have ton of Bay Area grads. It’s one of our largest non Chicago area alumni networks (or at least it was 10 years ago). I wouldn’t be surprised to see us receive an invitation there. But regardless of where we go, it will feel like the national championship game to me.

Very good points Thunder. I think this would be a great bowl for us and our alumni/donor base.

Selfishly, I’d rather play on a day with fewer viewing options. There are typically 4-5 games on the 30th but this game will be played in a great location, fantastic venue. The recruiting foundation we tried to establish south of the Bay Area never did take hold, a presence there for this type of event could help us in that regard and of course, we’ll get a good matchup. Illinois-Cal sets up on paper to be the type of down to the wire game fans crave over the Holiday bowl season (Which feature a lot of ugly blow outs). And the money payout isn’t bad either. I think this would be a fantastic game for us.
 
#66      
Can someone explain how the Quick Lane is above Armed Forces in rank? The Quick Lane has long been regarded as the “bad” bowl game because of its location (up north) and just past lame matchups. Is it because it’s now tied with the ACC? Just sucks they might win 7 and go there. Definitely rooting for Pinstripe or RedBox
 
#67      
Can someone explain how the Quick Lane is above Armed Forces in rank? The Quick Lane has long been regarded as the “bad” bowl game because of its location (up north) and just past lame matchups. Is it because it’s now tied with the ACC? Just sucks they might win 7 and go there. Definitely rooting for Pinstripe or RedBox

I’d be interested to know as well, as I’m not familiar with these sort of unwritten rankings. If I had to guess though, I’d say it’s the move to the ACC matchup vs. the MAC and the payout. The prize pool is almost double what the Armed Forces pays.
 
#70      
Holiday has a history of 8 win teams, from conferences and has even taken 7 win teams as well...(2012)...not sure this would be out for us?
 
#71      

BananaShampoo

Captain 'Paign
Phoenix, AZ
+1 for Redbox Bowl. I would make the trip from Phoenix for it as it's an easy flight and not even a terrible drive. Have friends in the Bay Area. Weather is nice, etc. Would love to face ASU because it would be so cool to see both my Alma maters face off in a bowl game. I'd still be rooting for the beloved to win, of course! :)
 
#72      

mhuml32

Cincinnati, OH
Some new projections by others:


Action Network
Illinois v. Louisville in the Quick Lane Bowl

247
Illinois v. North Carolina in the Pinstripe Bowl

Sporting News
Illinois v. Virginia Tech in the Pinstripe Bowl
 
#73      
Holiday has a history of 8 win teams, from conferences and has even taken 7 win teams as well...(2012)...not sure this would be out for us?

It’ll be Michigan’s game, they have no other real option.
 
#74      
Here's a breakdown of the B1G bowl tie-ins-
https://collegefootballnews.com/201...ll-bowl-ties-affiliations-for-each-conference

CFB Playoff team(s) - OSU
Rose Bowl - Minny
Citrus Bowl - Penn St
Outback Bowl - Michigan
Holiday Bowl - Wisconsin
Most likely Gator Bowl vs SEC (no Iowa or PSU if possible) -
Pinstripe Bowl vs ACC (no Indiana, Iowa, Northwestern, Penn State or Wisconsin would be the preference however that's not set in stone)
Redbox Bowl vs Pac-12 (no Indiana, Maryland, Michigan State, Nebraska or Purdue, if possible)
Quick Lane Bowl vs. ACC
Armed Forces Bowl vs. Mountain West

Still some football left but those teams seem set in stone at the top, in some order. Indiana gets put in the Quick Lane since they already played in the other 2 bowls. Michigan State goes to the Armed Forces Bowl.

To me it seems pretty obvious that if we beat Iowa then we jump them to get to the Gator Bowl. If they beat us they go to the Holiday Bowl and Wisconsin goes to the Gator Bowl. If Nebraska or Purdue become bowl eligible they get the Pinstripe and we get the Redbox. If both those teams don't get to 6 then the Pinstripe is possible.

The big questions is what happens if Purdue, Nebraska, and MSU are bowl eligible?
 
#75      
Still some football left but those teams seem set in stone at the top, in some order. Indiana gets put in the Quick Lane since they already played in the other 2 bowls. Michigan State goes to the Armed Forces Bowl.

To me it seems pretty obvious that if we beat Iowa then we jump them to get to the Gator Bowl. If they beat us they go to the Holiday Bowl and Wisconsin goes to the Gator Bowl. If Nebraska or Purdue become bowl eligible they get the Pinstripe and we get the Redbox. If both those teams don't get to 6 then the Pinstripe is possible.

The big questions is what happens if Purdue, Nebraska, and MSU are bowl eligible?

Michigan just played the Outback Bowl a year or two ago. They’re pretty much locked in to the Holiday unless they beat OSU, then maybe the Citrus is an option.

Us and Indiana at 8 wins (They need to beat Purdue to get there) fights it out for the TaxSlayer. Otherwise, we’re definitely locked into one of the Pinstripe, Quick Lane or Redbox.
 
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