Northwestern bowl projection roundup, Week 7: Wildcats take a step back

Obviously, after their first loss of the season this Saturday, especially it being a 38-0 drubbing at the hands of Michigan, the Northwestern Wildcats were going to be viewed as a much weaker team than they were viewed as last week. Still, experts predict Northwestern to end up in pretty notable bowls against top competition, such as the Outback Bowl and the Music City Bowl.

Those are a far cry from the isolated projections of the Wildcats in the College Football Playoff before the Michigan loss, but considering this team's preseason expectations, or rather lack of them, they would both be successes.

SB Nation

Jason Kirk: New Era Pinstripe Bowl vs. Pittsburgh, Dec. 26

ESPN

Mark Schlabach: New Era Pinstripe Bowl vs. Pittsburgh, Dec. 26

Brett McMurphy: Outback Bowl vs. Georgia, Jan. 1

ESPN Big Ten Blog

Brian Bennett: Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl, Dec. 30

CBS Sports

Jerry Palm: Outback Bowl vs. Ole Miss, Jan. 1