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The Michigan Wolverines are projected to win the Big Ten and represent the conference in the Rose Bowl this winter by SB Nation's Jason Kirk, who posted his latest projections on Sunday. Currently ranked No. 22 in the AP Poll and No. 20 in the BCS rankings, the Wolverines have rebounded with three straight wins after a bumpy start to the season.
In the classic match-up of Big Ten and Pac-12 teams, Kirk sees Michigan facing the USC Trojans in Pasadena, Calif., given that the Oregon Ducks are projected to face the Alabama Crimson Tide in the BCS National Championship Game. The Wolverines last appeared in the Rose Bowl in 2007, losing to the Trojans that year.
As for the team that Michigan beat last Saturday, the Michigan State Spartans are projected to take on the Texas Longhorns in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl on Dec. 29. That would likely be considered a solid landing place, considering that the team has lost four of its past six games.
The Ohio State Buckeyes would presumably be considered the team to represent the Big Ten in the Rose Bowl this season based on their record, but NCAA violations have them ineligible from the postseason this year.