With the schedule set, the seven eligible Big Ten teams can now focus on the last remaining game of the 2009 season.

Some notes for a few of the games on tap:

• Ohio State coach Jim Tressel guided his team to three national title game berths in his first eight seasons but never to the Rose Bowl. This is the Buckeyes’ 14th time playing in the “Granddaddy of Them All.”

• The last time Minnesota played in the Insight Bowl it gave up 24 fourth quarter points and lost in overtime to Texas Tech, 44-41.

• In its last two meetings with the Hurricanes (1988 and ’89), Wisconsin lost by a combined score of 74-6.

• This is the first time in 35 years that Michigan has failed to reach a bowl game for a second straight season (you probably knew that already).

A look at each of the Big Ten’s bowl games …

Champs Sports Bowl
Wisconsin vs. Miami, Tuesday, Dec. 29 at 8 p.m. EST

The conference’s first holiday appearance may be the most intriguing matchup of the bowl season. The Hurricanes and Badgers have identical 9-3 records, though the teams have taken much different paths. Miami beat several quality schools early in the season (Oklahoma, Georgia Tech) before fading down the stretch. The Badgers could have won all three games they lost, but it could also be argued that those three opponents were the only ones to really push Bret Bielema’s club all year. The Badgers’ power running game always gives opponents fits in bowl games, but Miami is loaded with athletes and should have little trouble keeping pace.
Prediction: Miami 33, Wisconsin 14

Insight Bowl
Minnesota vs. Iowa State, Thursday, Dec. 31 at 6 p.m. EST

Six wins may have gotten the Gophers into the bowl season, but there is no getting around how they finished the year — losses in four of their last five conference contests (and that includes handing Illinois one of its two Big Ten wins). The key for the Gophers will be to stop Iowa State quarterback Austen Arnaud, who accounted for almost 2,300 yards of offense. Seeing how the Gopher defense hasn’t really stopped anyone this year, it may be a task too big to overcome.
Prediction: Iowa State 24, Minnesota 21

Outback Bowl
Northwestern vs. Auburn, Friday, Jan. 1 at 11 a.m. EST

It could be argued that no team in the Big Ten ended the year as hot as Pat Fitzgerald’s Wildcats, who won their last three games including wins over ranked foes Iowa and Wisconsin. Northwestern is a disciplined squad that is well balanced on both sides of the ball. Auburn will have its hands full trying to keep up with the Wildcats’ many targets in the passing game, and will pin its success on trying to apply pressure to senior quarterback Mike Kafka (one of the most sacked quarterbacks in the Big Ten). The Tigers have lost five of their last seven, but they’ve faced a much stiffer schedule and are battle-tested.
Prediction: Auburn 21, Northwestern 17

Capital One Bowl
Penn State vs. LSU, Friday, Jan. 1 at 1 p.m. EST

LSU and coach Les Miles took a lot of flak for the last-second meltdown against Ole Miss. Truth is, LSU can compete with any program in the country, and that loss — albeit embarrassing — will serve as motivation for the Tigers against an under-matched Penn State squad. Joe Paterno’s Nittany Lions probably aren’t as good as their 10-2 mark suggests, and certainly not on par with the Tigers. The best thing Penn State has going for it is the offense’s 1-2 punch of Daryll Clark and Evan Royster, both of whom had splendid seasons. If Clark can limit mistakes, as he’s done in all but one game this season, Penn State just might be able to keep this one close.
Prediction: LSU 27, Penn State 17

Rose Bowl
Ohio State vs. Oregon, Friday, Jan. 1 at 4:30 p.m. EST

For all that has been written about Ohio State’s shortcomings this year, the fact remains that Jim Tressel’s club is the class of the Big Ten — and the only conference school that should be favored in this bowl season. The Buckeyes’ well-balanced offense will keep Oregon honest, but it’s the Buckeyes’ underrated defense that will get the job done in Pasadena. Ohio State allowed just 2.7 yards per carry this season, which will be bad news for a Ducks squad that likes to pound opponents on the ground. These teams do have one thing in common — each had a game to forget against Purdue. On New Year’s Day Oregon will have another day to forget, as Ohio State proves why it’s the only Big Ten school able to compete on a national scale.
Prediction: Ohio State 27, Oregon 16

Alamo Bowl
Michigan State vs. Texas Tech, Saturday, Jan. 2 at 9 p.m. EST

Who’s the wise guy who matched up these two clubs? Michigan State ranked dead last in the Big Ten in 2009 in pass defense, having allowed more than 3,000 yards passing and an astounding 29 touchdowns. Texas Tech, on the other hand, has been passing in bunches since the dawn of time. To make matters worse, a number of the Spartans’ best playmakers (B.J. Cunningham, Mark Dell) could be suspended for this contest thanks to an alleged campus brawl. If Minnesota can pass for 416 yards on the Spartans, we’re pretty sure Mike Leach’s club will do just fine.
Prediction: Texas Tech 37, Michigan State 21

Orange Bowl
Iowa vs. Georgia Tech, Tuesday, Jan. 5 at 8 p.m. EST

Hmmm, seems odd to see Iowa in a BCS bowl after the Hawkeyes dropped two of their last three games of 2009. Kirk Ferentz’s club went from Cinderella to pretender in a blink and now must save face against a Georgia Tech squad fresh off beating Clemson for a second time this year. The Yellow Jackets run the ball as well as any opponent Ferentz saw in the Big Ten, and they have a legitimate target in junior wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (1,154 yards, eight touchdowns). Iowa will need to rekindle its magic (read: create multiple turnovers) to have any hope of knocking off the ACC’s finest.
Prediction: Georgia Tech 42, Iowa 13