The Gophers will know their bowl destination Dec. 8, and this weekend will bring the picture into focus.
If the Gophers win, their most likely destinations are the Duke’s Mayo Bowl on Jan. 3 in Charlotte, N.C., or the Music City Bowl on Dec. 30 in Nashville. At 7-5, they would likely be battling with Michigan, Nebraska and Rutgers for a spot in either. Less likely are the Pinstripe Bowl in New York and the Rate Bowl in Phoenix because Minnesota played in each of those two and three years ago, respectively.
If the Gophers lose, Wisconsin joins the fight among 7-5 and 6-6 teams. Chances increase that the Gophers end up in either the Pinstripe, Rate or the fan base’s least desirable bowl, the GameAbove Sports Bowl in Detroit, where Minnesota played last season as well as in 2018 and 2015.
If the Gophers lose, Wisconsin joins the fight among 7-5 and 6-6 teams. Chances increase that the Gophers end up in either the Pinstripe, Rate or, less likely, the GameAbove Sports Bowl in Detroit, where Minnesota played last year, in 2019 and 2015.
There’s one scenario in which the Gophers aren’t part of the Big Ten’s usual bowl lineup. If they lost to Wisconsin and Michigan State beats Rutgers to secure a sixth win, the Spartans would be a strong bet to land in Detroit. That could leave the Gophers to match up with a non-Big Ten bowl, such as the First Responder Bowl on Jan. 3 in Dallas.
Playoff, bowl projections