The Michigan Wolverines are entering the final stretch of the regular season, and the postseason possibilities are essentially endless. Currently 7-2 overall and 5-1 in the Big Ten, Michigan has set itself
up to control its destiny. With winning out, the Wolverines could punch their ticket to the College Football Playoff. But one loss would officially catapult them out of the postseason conversation.
If Michigan did not ultimately make the CFP, the Big Ten bowl tie-ins are as follows:
- GameAbove Sports Bowl (vs. MAC)
- Rate Bowl (vs. Big 12)
- Pinstripe Bowl (vs. ACC)
- Music City Bowl (vs. SEC)
- ReliaQuest Bowl (vs. SEC)
- Citrus Bowl (vs. SEC)
- Las Vegas Bowl (vs. current/former Pac-12)
In our second Bowl Projection Roundup of the season, here is where media outlets have Michigan headed.
Sports Illustrated (Bryan Fischer): Cheez-It Citrus Bowl vs. Texas
Spoiler. The most popular pick among every news outlet in the country is currently projecting quarterbacks Bryce Underwood and Arch Manning facing off in the Citrus Bowl on Dec. 31 in Orlando, Florida. Not only would it draw unreal ratings, but it would showcase two blue-blood programs that have promising futures with a ton of NFL talent.
ESPN (Kyle Bonagura and Mark Schlabach): Cheez-It Citrus Bowl vs. Vanderbilt or Texas
ESPN was interesting because while there was a projection against Texas, there was a simultaneous projection for Michigan to face Vanderbilt. Nothing like an 18-year-old phenom facing off against a 24-year-old late-bloomer.
On3 (Brett McMurphy) : Cheez-It Citrus Bowl vs. Texas
This will continue to be a trend unless Michigan takes down Ohio State in the final week of the regular season. Sherrone Moore vs. Steve Sarkisian? Rematch from 2024? This would be great, but we are aspiring for bigger and better things in Ann Arbor.
The Athletic (Scott Dochterman): Cheez-It Citrus Bowl vs. Texas
Wow! Three times a charm.
CBS Sports (Jerry Palm): Cheez-It Citrus Bowl vs. Oklahoma
Finally! Something different. However, facing Oklahoma for a second time in the year would not be the most exciting matchup and would not inspire the most confidence from the Michigan faithful after the trip to Norman earlier this year. Nonetheless, it would be interesting to see how the team improved since Week 2, and it would be a neutral site.
Athlon Sports (Steven Lassan): Cheez-It Citrus Bowl vs. Vanderbilt
Michigan and Vandy have met 11 times all-time, with the Wolverines holding a 10-0-1 all-time record. The last time they met was a 27-7 Michigan win in Ann Arbor in 2006.
College Football News (Pete Fiutak): Cheez-It Citrus Bowl vs. Vanderbilt
A third Vanderbilt projection officially evens the score with Texas this week at 3-3.
