2025 Bowl Projection Tracker

[stocker08]

I agree that the games themselves aren’t that different, but I strongly disagree that it doesn’t matter. In terms of TV exposure, “brand” and quality of the opponent, and likelihood of fans traveling, Phoenix is FAR worse than Vegas or Nashville. Playing on 12/30 or NYE against Utah, LSU, or Tennessee would draw a ton more eyeballs and traveling fans than 12/26 against Cincinnati. Who knows if it makes any difference at all in the long run, but I don’t think anyone can argue that Vegas and Nashville are far, far desirable locations.

EDIT to say I’m starting to think PJ and Coyle either don’t care or they actively lobby to end up in these lower bowls against worse opponents for a better chance to win the games. I think they’re the only 8-4 teams in history to play in the Rate and Pinstripe?

I've also had a suspicion that Fleck may not care much because a lower ranked bowl means a better chance to win and extend the bowl streak. Otherwise.....you'd think that him and Coyle would be able to lobby the conference for support on a better game/opponent every once in a while.....seeing as how we've ended up at the Rate Bowl and Pinstripe with 8-4 records despite the fact that no other Big Ten team has ever been placed in either of those bowls with an eight win season.

 

[Zeppelin Gopher]

I had fun at the Guaranteed Rate Bowl last time around (despite the poor game and field conditions).

WVU fans were fun to party with, AZ is a nice place to go in late December, etc.

Really wish the game was at Sun Devil Stadium instead of the D-Backs ballpark though.

 

[STPGopher]

Pinstripe Bowl is out. Penn State took that invite.

 

[Gilthorp57]

This is the likely scenario, in my opinion.

Why cant we ever play in the Vegas Bowl? We beat Nebraska

 

[Gilthorp57]

I get that the players voted on it, but I feel bad for the seniors…

That sounds like a team with a lot of problems....

 

[DarrenTheGreek]

Pinstripe Bowl is out. Penn State took that invite.

Anyone who was speculating Gophers would end up in NYC again was ignorant of the entire process

 

[Gilthorp57]

100% agree on that. I would honestly rather have us play like a Wyoming in Boise. Switch it up play new teams, new venues and new fans to chat with. That's just us (friends and I)

Nah, don't want to play in what I call the "punishment bowl" Cold, rainy, snow...no thank you. Somewhere warm please and thank you.

 

[DarrenTheGreek]

Illinois in Music City
Nebraska in Vegas.
Lame. Huskers will get destroyed by Utah

 

[STPGopher]

Anyone who was speculating Gophers would end up in NYC again was ignorant of the entire process

I was kind of surprised that they named Penn State so quickly. Then again they have so many fans so close to NYC.

 

[Yah-E]

Already bought my bowl game tickets directly from the Rate Bowl website for the Rate Bowl and reserved a hotel room

50 yard line on the BigTen side (bleachers).

Just got a gut feeling that our Gophers will be heading that way.

 

[pharmacygopher]

Already bought my bowl game tickets directly from the Rate Bowl website for the Rate Bowl and reserved a hotel room

50 yard line on the BigTen side (bleachers).

Just got a gut feeling that our Gophers will be heading that way.

It may be meaningless in the grand scheme, but i always buy my visitor tickets and bowl game tickets from the U directly to ensure we're getting as much credit as possible for our traveling fans since this seems to matter in selection.

 

[STPGopher]

Why cant we ever play in the Vegas Bowl? We beat Nebraska

Perhaps it's the new Alamo bowl. Mason era fans know what I'm talking about.

 

[Igor95]

Anything official on Rate Bowl yet? Seems inevitable.