As late as Tuesday afternoon, Northwestern could make a claim for a New Year's Six bowl. It was always unlikely, but there was a shot. Basically, the Wildcats had to finish the season ranked ahead of Florida State, North Carolina, Michigan, and either Baylor or TCU.
When the College Football Playoff rankings were released Tuesday night, that hope was basically crushed. Now ranked No. 14 and solidly behind FSU, UNC, Baylor, TCU and Ole Miss, the Wildcats' chance at the upper echelon of bowls is all but gone.
But fear not. As our Henry Bushnell pointed out, "realize that 10 wins and a trip to the Outback Bowl is a pretty darn good consolation prize.