Minnesota’s Bowl Picture Coming Into Focus, But Vegas May Be a Long Shot
With the regular season officially wrapped and conference championship weekend just around the corner, bowl season is nearly upon us. While some final pieces still need to fall into place, the Big Ten’s postseason outlook is starting to solidify - and for Minnesota, the most likely destination is becoming increasingly clear.
Let’s break down where the Gophers could be headed, why the Rate Bowl in Phoenix is the current frontrunner, and what factors are shaping the Big Ten’s bowl assignments behind the scenes.
Big Ten Bowl Landscape: The Early Picture
The Big Ten has three teams locked into the College Football Playoff - Ohio State and Indiana with first-round byes, and Oregon set to face Tulane. That leaves the rest of the conference’s eligible teams jockeying for position in the remaining bowl games. Here's how the current projections shake out:
- Citrus Bowl (Orlando, FL): Michigan vs. Texas
- ReliaQuest Bowl (Tampa, FL): Iowa vs. Vanderbilt
- Las Vegas Bowl (Las Vegas, NV): Nebraska vs. Utah
- Music City Bowl (Nashville, TN): Illinois vs. Tennessee
- Pinstripe Bowl (New York, NY): Penn State vs. Pittsburgh
- Rate Bowl (Phoenix, AZ): Minnesota vs. TCU
- GameAbove Sports Bowl (Detroit, MI): Northwestern vs. Western Michigan
These matchups are still unofficial, but they reflect the current intel and momentum behind the scenes as teams, bowls, and the Big Ten office work to align preferences, matchups, and marketability.
Why the Rate Bowl Looks Like Minnesota’s Most Likely Destination
All signs are pointing to Minnesota landing in the Rate Bowl in Phoenix. Here’s why:
- Illinois is expected to head to Nashville for the Music City Bowl, while Penn State is tracking toward the Pinstripe Bowl, likely setting up a regional rivalry matchup with Pittsburgh - a pairing that’s hard for bowl organizers and TV execs to pass up.
That leaves the Las Vegas and Rate Bowls as the two remaining higher-tier options for Big Ten teams, with Minnesota and Nebraska the likely candidates to fill those spots.
But here’s the wrinkle: Northwestern, at 6-6, is projected for the GameAbove Sports Bowl in Detroit, which is typically lower in the pecking order. That means one of Minnesota or Nebraska will miss out on Vegas - and right now, the buzz suggests Nebraska has the inside track.
The Nebraska Factor: Fan Base and Bowl Appeal
While Minnesota fans may point to the Gophers’ 24-6 win over Nebraska earlier this season, head-to-head results rarely carry much weight in bowl placement decisions. Instead, bowls look at a broader mix of factors: recent bowl appearances, team and fanbase preferences, potential TV ratings, and overall matchup appeal.
That’s where Nebraska has a compelling case. The Huskers have a massive, passionate fan base that’s been starved for bowl trips. After an eight-year drought, they finally made it back to the postseason last year with a trip to the Pinstripe Bowl in New York - a destination that, frankly, didn’t make much sense for a Midwest team with little regional connection to the Northeast.
Now, Nebraska is pushing hard for a more desirable destination, and the Las Vegas Bowl is listening. Executive Director John Saccenti recently highlighted Nebraska’s fan support in an interview, suggesting that the Huskers are very much on the bowl’s radar. And when a bowl director goes on record praising a team’s travel potential, that’s rarely accidental.
Minnesota’s Track Record in Bowl Placement
If Minnesota does end up in Phoenix, it wouldn’t be the first time the program has landed in a bowl that aligned well with its internal goals.
The Gophers have historically been strategic - and successful - in advocating for bowl placements that fit their needs. In 2018, they landed in Detroit instead of Nashville, a move that allowed a young team under P.J.
Fleck to gain confidence with a more winnable matchup. In 2021, Minnesota avoided a de facto road game against Tennessee in Nashville by heading to the Rate Bowl in Phoenix instead.
So while there’s no clear word yet on Minnesota’s top choice this year, it’s fair to assume the program is actively involved in the process. And even if Vegas is out of reach this time - with Nebraska likely getting the nod - the Gophers’ continued engagement in these conversations could pay off down the line.
Final Thoughts: Phoenix Looks Probable, But It’s Not Set in Stone
For now, the Rate Bowl in Phoenix remains the most realistic landing spot for the Gophers. It’s a solid destination with a favorable matchup against TCU and a chance to cap the season with a statement win.
Of course, things can change quickly in the final days before official announcements drop on Sunday. Bowl reps, school administrators, and conference officials will continue working behind the scenes to finalize placements. But based on the current landscape, Minnesota fans should probably start looking at flights to Arizona.
We'll keep tracking any developments as they come in - and once the official word is out, we’ll break down the matchup, the stakes, and what it means for the Gophers moving forward.