The Penn State Nittany Lions' loss to the Nebraska Cornhuskers on Saturday did more than emotionally deflate a program in the midst of a scandal: it may have ended their chances at reaching a BCS bowl in 2011. Samuel Chi, SB Nation's bowl projection expert, wrote last week the Nittany Lions could earn a trip to the Rose Bowl, but his outlook has changed following the loss to Nebraska. Instead, in his latest 2011 bowl projections post, he picks the Wisconsin Badgers to represent the Big Ten in Pasadena:
The Badgers are back in control of their own destiny now, and they should have no trouble handling a shaken Penn State at home to win the Leaders Division, and then going on to exact revenge on Michigan State in the Big Ten title game.
Currently, Penn State (8-2, 5-1 Big Ten) holds a narrow edge over Wisconsin (8-2, 4-2) in the Leaders Division, but that could end Nov. 26 at Camp Randall Stadium. Wisconsin is undefeated on its home turf this season, winning its games against Big Ten foes there by an average final score of 53-14.
Prior to facing Wisconsin, Penn State visits the Ohio State Buckeyes (6-4, 3-3) this Saturday, Nov. 19.
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