Iowa
Record: 9-1, 5-1
Bowl game chances: Definite
Best-case scenario: Rose Bowl
If the Hawkeyes can knock off the heavily-favored Buckeyes in Columbus without starting quarterback Ricky Stanzi, Iowa will clinch at least a share of the Big Ten and hold a tiebreaker with Ohio State, Penn State and Wisconsin.
Worst-case scenario: Insight Bowl
Iowa began the season 9-0, but a complete collapse could take them out of contention for a premier Big Ten bowl game. Losing its last three games would place Iowa back toward the middle of the conference pack.
Prediction: Capital One Bowl
The task at hand Saturday might be too much for an Iowa team that has narrowly escaped far too many disasters throughout the season. The Hawkeyes fall at Ohio State, but beat Minnesota in their final game to earn an invite to Orlando.

Ohio State
Record: 8-2, 5-1
Bowl game chances: Definite
Best-case scenario: Rose Bowl
With a win Saturday over Iowa, the Buckeyes would clinch a share of the conference title and a trip to Pasadena.
Worst-case scenario: Insight Bowl
If OSU loses to Iowa, then drops its final game at Michigan, the Buckeyes could slip down the conference totem pole if Iowa, Penn State and Wisconsin all finish out their seasons strong.
Prediction: Rose Bowl
Still riding the momentum from a one-sided victory at Penn State, the Buckeyes notch victories over the Hawkeyes and Wolverines, earning a spot in “The Granddaddy of Them All.”

Penn State
Record: 8-2, 4-2
Bowl game chances: Definite
Best-case scenario: Fiesta Bowl
Since either Ohio State or Iowa is guaranteed to win Saturday, the victor will automatically finish ahead of Penn State by virtue of a tiebreaker, so the Nittany Lions’ goal won’t be set on the Rose Bowl. But if Penn State wins out and the loser of OSU-Iowa also drops its final game, Joe Paterno’s crew could be in contention for a BCS at-large berth.
Worst-case scenario: Valero Alamo Bowl
With a loss in its last two games, it’s possible for Penn State to slip behind Wisconsin, which could send the Nittany Lions to San Antonio.
Prediction: Outback Bowl
Penn State shouldn’t have trouble with Indiana, and although a contest at Michigan State is no guaranteed win, the Nittany Lions have too much ground to make up to surpass Iowa or Ohio State.

Wisconsin
Record: 7-2, 4-2
Bowl game chances: Definite
Best-case scenario: Capital One Bowl
If Wisconsin wins its final three games, Ohio State plays in the Rose Bowl, Iowa receives a BCS berth and Penn State drops another game, the Badgers can play in Orlando.
Worst-case scenario: Little Caesars Pizza Bowl
A poor finish could drop Wisconsin below Northwestern and Michigan State, ruining a season for a team that started 5-0.
Prediction: Insight Bowl
The Badgers’ remaining schedule isn’t too imposing, with a home match against Michigan and road games at Northwestern and Hawaii. Anything less than nine or 10 wins would be considered a disappointing finish, but winning all three still might not be enough to surpass Penn State.

Northwestern
Record: 6-4, 3-3
Bowl game chances: Definite
Best-case scenario: Outback Bowl
If Penn State or Iowa earns a BCS at-large bid and Ohio State reaches the Rose Bowl, then Northwestern could slide up the ladder with wins in its last two games.
Worst-case scenario: Little Caesars Pizza Bowl
Even with losses in its last two contests, Northwestern should remain in the bowl picture, albeit in what will likely be the most made-fun-of-title for a bowl game.
Prediction: Valero Alamo Bowl
The Wildcats have flown under the radar to their six wins, but last week’s upset of Iowa places them in the Big Ten bowl picture. Northwestern finishes with a pair of toss-up games, at Illinois and against Wisconsin, so a seven-win season seems likely.

Michigan State
Record: 5-5, 3-3
Bowl game chances: Mediocre
Prediction: Champs Sports Bowl
The Spartans need one win to gain bowl eligibility, but that win could be tough to pick up with games at Purdue and against Penn State. Inconsistency has plagued Michigan State, so a 1-1 finish and a 6-6 record should get Sparty to a less-than-thrilling bowl game.

Purdue
Record: 4-6, 3-3
Bowl game chances: Mediocre
Prediction: Long winter
If Purdue loses to Michigan State, its bowl game chances go out the window. The Boilermakers must win their final two games to have a shot, and a contest at Indiana in its final contest shouldn’t be too challenging. Still, Purdue’s 1-5 start will probably prove too difficult to overcome.

Minnesota
Record: 5-5, 3-4
Bowl game chances: Good
Prediction: Little Caesars Pizza Bowl
The Gophers only need one victory to become bowl eligible, and with South Dakota State coming to town, Minnesota shouldn’t have a problem reaching a bowl game. The team can improve its standing with an upset at Iowa in its season finale.

Illinois
Record: 3-6, 2-5
Bowl game chances: Unlikely
Prediction: Long winter
The Illini are finally playing up to their standards, with two consecutive wins. After failing to score more than 17 points in any of five straight losses, Illinois has scored 38 and 35 in its past two contests. Still, Ron Zook’s squad needs to close out the season with three more wins to obtain bowl eligibility, and a contest at No. 5 Cincinnati should give the Illini a rude awakening.

Michigan
Record: 5-5, 1-5
Bowl game chances: Unlikely
Prediction: Long winter
The Wolverines need one win in their final two games to become bowl eligible. If they notch that victory, their national reputation and following would help their cause for a bid. That being said, with games at Wisconsin and against Ohio State, the task at hand is quite daunting.

Indiana
Record: 4-6, 1-5
Bowl game chances: Unlikely
Prediction: Long winter
The Hoosiers would need to win out to become bowl eligible, an improbable chain of events with games remaining at Penn State and against Purdue. Indiana has lost its last three games.