Bowl projections 2012: Minnesota could be headed to Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl

The Minnesota Golden Gophers are slotted to play in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl in the latest 2012 bowl projections from SB Nation's Jason Kirk. The Gophers are projected to face Texas Tech in the game, which is scheduled for Dec. 29.

The Gophers are 2-5 in Big Ten play and tied for fourth in the Legends Division, but at 6-5 overall, they have already achieved bowl eligibility. They finish up their regular season with a home game against Michigan State on Saturday.

Several other Big Ten teams will be bowling this season, including Nebraska, which is projected to be the league's Rose Bowl representative by Kirk. Ohio State and Penn State both have enough wins to qualify for a bowl, but they are ineligible because of NCAA sanctions.

Michigan, Northwestern and Wisconsin also have earned bowl eligibility, and Purdue can get there with a win over Indiana in its season finale.