Iowa players warm up before their game against Northwestern at Ryan Field on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012, in Evanston, Ill. (Liz Martin/The Gazette-KCRG)

We all know the Big Ten is a mess this year. The best team (Ohio State) is ineligible, as is possibly team two (Penn State, we’ll find out Saturday). Teams expected to compete for divisional titles (Michigan State, Purdue) have underachieved and others just don’t pass the eye test (Minnesota, Iowa). Even decent teams (Michigan, Nebraska, Wisconsin) have had bad losses.

Yep, this is the season you write off as forgettable — except if you’re a bowl game. The Big Ten has eight designated bowl slots. Last year the league had 10 eligible teams. This year, it might not even reach five. That could cost those bowls some stature and cash.

Iowa State Coach Paul Rhoads stands outside of the Joseph M. Margiotta Hall after the Cyclones practice at Hofstra University on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2011, in Hempstead, New York. (SourceMedia Group News/Jim Slosiarek)

It’s possible, perhaps likely, that only Wisconsin will reach a bowl from the Leaders Division. Sure Indiana has a chance with a pair of league wins, but expecting two more wins is a stretch. Illinois already has too many losses and Purdue (winless in the Big Ten) must win out to earn a bid.

Looking at the Legends Division, three teams are guaranteed bowl berths: Michigan, Nebraska and Northwestern. Minnesota and Michigan State need one more win, but they play one another in the season finale. Minnesota has its best chance at a sixth win this week at Illinois, a team the Gophers actually have beaten the last two years. Michigan State plays host to Northwestern on Nov. 17 before closing with Minnesota.

Iowa (4-5) has earned bowl eligibility 11 straight years but anything less than two wins means that streak ends miserably. The Hawkeyes end their season with Michigan and Nebraska. You can’t expect good results against decent competition when you have yet to see good execution.

So how does the Big Ten shape up? With a home victory over Denard-less Michigan, Nebraska holds the Legends Division advantage. Northwestern already has seven wins, but a 29-28 loss to Nebraska will keep the Wildcats from the Big Ten title game. It’s probable that both Michigan State and Minnesota end up in bowls.

Iowa and Indiana appear set for 5-7 seasons, and both have nobody to blame but themselves. Each lost close home games to MAC teams (Iowa 32-31 to Central Michigan; Indiana 41-39 to Ball State). Both have combined for seven losses of four points or less this year. Both could bite someone above them, but nobody’s betting on it.

As for Iowa State, the Cyclones are one win shy of earning their third bowl trip in four years under Paul Rhoads. Iowa State plays back-to-back road games (Texas, Kansas) before closing with West Virginia. Two wins could put the Cyclones in Phoenix or San Diego. One win could put them in Texas.

BCS BOWLS

BCS Championship — Alabama vs. Oregon

Still pass the eye test as nation’s best teams

Rose — Wisconsin vs. Oregon State

A rematch, yes, but interesting nonetheless

Fiesta — Kansas State vs. Notre Dame

Would be a nice semifinal

Sugar — Georgia vs. Oklahoma

Two long-time, successful coaches who have fans on their backs

Orange — Florida State vs. Louisville

Once considered frontrunners for the Big 12 Conference

BIG TEN BOWLS

Capital One — LSU vs. Michigan

The Les Miles bowl, have a great day

Outback — Florida vs. Nebraska

Touchdown Tommie Frazier … wait that was 17 years ago? Wow

Gator — South Carolina vs. Michigan State

Who’s the better NFL prospect: Jadeveon Clowney or William Gholston

Buffalo Wild Wings — Northwestern vs. West Virginia

Teams would score more in this bowl than against one another in a basketball game

Meineke Car Care — Minnesota vs. TCU

Jerry Kill vs. Gary Patterson: A down-home country Christmas

BIG 12 BOWLS

Cotton — Texas vs. Texas A&M

No bowl would match the intensity of this match-up, at least in the stands

Alamo — Texas Tech vs. USC

Tommy Tuberville finally gets his shot at USC, eight years too late

Holiday — Iowa State vs. UCLA

New York one year, San Diego the next. A charmed life for the Cyclones

Pinstripe — Oklahoma State vs. Pittsburgh

Nobody will question Mike Gundy’s age or gender in the Big Apple

OTHERS

• Peach (Chick-fil-A) — Clemson vs. Mississippi State
• Music City — North Carolina State vs. Missouri
• Liberty — Tulsa vs. Ole Miss
• Independence — Georgia Tech vs. Vanderbilt
• Sun — Virginia Tech vs. Arizona State
• Las Vegas — Fresno State vs. Stanford
• Kraft Fight Hunger — Navy vs. Washington
• New Mexico — Nevada vs. Arizona
• Russell Athletic — Miami vs. Rutgers
• Belk — Duke vs. Cincinnati
• Armed Forces — SMU vs. Air Force
• Hawaii — Central Florida vs. Boise State
• New Orleans — Louisiana-Monroe vs. Houston
• Poinsettia — BYU vs. San Diego State
• Idaho — Utah State vs. Kent State
• GoDaddy — Middle Tennessee State vs. Northern Illinois
• Beef O’Brady’s — East Carolina vs. Ohio (Big East replacement)
• Military — Wake Forest vs Bowling Green (Army replacement)
• Compass — Tennessee vs. Louisiana-Lafayette (Big East replacement)
• Little Caesar’s — Toledo vs. Western Kentucky (Big Ten replacement)
• Heart of Dallas — Arkansas State (Big Ten replacement) vs. Louisiana Tech (Big 12 replacement)