College Football Bowl Projection: Potential Matchups for Michigan Teams
By Matt Snyder
Nov 28, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh gets set to take the field prior to the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Michigan Bowl Projection
Michigan’s long-shot opportunity to sneak into the Big Ten Championship game fell short with last week’s big loss to Ohio State, but the Wolverines are still looking like a lock for a New Year’s Day bowl game appearance.
Where They Might Go
Assuming that Michigan State, Iowa, and Ohio State all get pulled into New Year’s Six bowl games — a good bet seeing as they’re all currently in the top six of the latest College Football Playoff rankings — Michigan would seem to be in line for a Citrus Bowl bid.
Northwestern is one spot ahead of Michigan in the CFP rankings, so perhaps there’s a chance they steal the Citrus Bowl spot, which would send the Wolverines to the (also January 1) Outback Bowl, but that seems like a bogus ranking considering the 38-0 head-to-head result.
Who They Might Play
The Citrus Bowl typically sees the top Big Ten and SEC teams that don’t receive a New Year’s Six bowl berth. That probably means Florida if they lose to Alabama in the SEC Championship Game, or Ole Miss if they don’t.
Possible opponents in the Outback Bowl could include LSU, Georgia, or Tennessee.
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