College Football Bowl Projection: Potential Matchups for Michigan Teams

Dec 26, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; General view of Rutgers Scarlet Knights place kicker Kyle Federico (1) kicking a field goal against the North Carolina Tar Heels in the 2014 Quick Lane Bowl at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Quick Lane Bowl Projection

The Quick Lane Bowl’s contractual conference tie-ins are for the Big Ten’s No. 8 team and the ACC’s No. 9 team. The Big Ten only qualified eight teams via the traditional six-win eligibility threshold (and will probably see two “extra” teams pulled into the New Year’s Six games), but the Big Ten might see as many as three additional 5-7 teams achieve eligibility from the NCAA to fill vacant bowl game spots (there weren’t enough 6-6 in FBS to fill all of the bowl games).

If that is indeed the case, we would see Nebraska, Illinois, and Minnesota all gain eligibility, with either Illinois or Minnesota being a likely participant in the Quick Lane Bowl.

The ACC did qualify nine teams for bowl eligibility, but since Clemson and Florida State both looking to receive New Year’s Six berths, they’ll only have room for eight of the traditional tie-ins. In this case the Quick Lane Bowl will pick an at-large team like Central Michigan, who would provide some local flavor and possibly attract more potential ticket buyers.