Bowl bound, but where in the South?

Brace Hemmelgarn-US PRESSWIRE

The Gophers are bowl bound for the first time since 2009, reaching the six win pinnacle in a victory against Illinois on Saturday.

Minnesota is almost certainly headed to Houston for the Meineke Car Care Bowl on Dec. 28, reserved for the sixth seed from the Big Ten.

But if the Gophers can upset either Nebraska or Michigan State in their final games, they could move up the standings and play either in Arizona or Florida.

The Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl, formerly the Insight Bowl in which the Gophers played their last three bowl games, will host the fifth seeded team from the Big Ten and the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Fla. owns the fourth seed.

Last season, the Gophers mustered only three wins, well short of a bowl bid. This year, despite injuries and changes to the depth chart throughout the season, Gopher nation finally has an excuse to dip out of Minnesota and head South for some warmer weather and competitive football.