Michigan Football: Updating the Wolverines Bowl Scenarios
It’s been nearly three years since Michigan ended the Lloyd Carr era with a resounding victory over Florida in the 2008 Capital One Bowl.
Saturday’s 27-16 win over Purdue guaranteed a bowl appearance for this year’s team. It will be the first bowl game for embattled third-year coach Rich Rodriguez, whose job has been in jeopardy since beginning his Michigan tenure with two horrendous seasons.
The Wolverines (7-3, 3-3) have two Big Ten games remaining, and will most likely finish in the fifth through, eighth positions. Should Penn State falter down the stretch, Michigan has an outside chance for the fourth spot.
Conceivably Michigan could be invited to one of five possible Bowl Games. Let’s look at the possible matchups.
Little Caesars, Ford Field, Detroit, Dec. 26, Big 10 (8) vs. MAC (1)
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Not exactly a trip to the sunny south, the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl permits you to enjoy the holiday season without the travel expense. A stay in downtown Detroit would allow exciting casino gambling, some outdoor ice skating or a night at the Joe, watching the Detroit Red Wings.
Of course, if you live in downtown’s Lafayette Park, you can take a brisk walk across the Chrysler Freeway to the balmy conditions of indoor Ford Field. If you prefer Ann Arbor, you can enjoy Weber’s leisurely Sunday Brunch before heading down I-94 to join the tailgate.
Michigan’s probable opponent (Northern Illinois)
From DeKalb, Northern Illinois is the class of the MAC this season. The Huskies have compiled an 8-2 overall record including a perfect 6-0 in the conference. They’ve lost only to Illinois and Iowa State, while knocking off a tough Temple team 31-17. Tuesday night, they crushed Toledo 65-30, which was previously undefeated in the conference.
The Huskies run a conventional, ball control offense, something Michigan doesn’t like to face.
A record 60,624 saw the 2007 contest, when Purdue outscored Central Michigan 51-48.
FYI
- Ford Field weather: Inside, 72 degrees; Outside: High 35, Low 25
- Official website: www.littlecaesarspizzabowl.com
- Detroit website: www.visitdetroit.com
- Tickets: $60-$30: www.ticketmaster.com, www.fordfield.com
- Time: 8:30 p.m. EST, TV: ESPN
Insight Bowl, Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Dec. 28, Big Ten (4-5) vs. Big 12 (4)
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Bowl season invades the Phoenix area big time this year. Phoenix not only hosts the Insight Bowl, it’s also home to the Fiesta Bowl and the National Championship Game.
The Insight Bowl will be played at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, while the latter two will be held at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale.
The Arizona capital city boasts an area population of over four million, so there’s no shortage of things to do once you arrive. From a day at the Phoenix Zoo, to a few hours of live horse racing, there’s no shortage of amusements. If you’re into either baseball or neat architecture, check out the retractable roof at Chase Field, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Michigan’s probable opponent (Texas A&M)
Texas A&M has been saddled with several consecutive mediocre seasons, last winning a Big 12 championship in 1998. There has been reason for optimism in 2010 since the Aggies have put together a 6-3 record, including a huge 33-19 win over Oklahoma.
A big reason for the resurgence has been the play of junior quarterback Ryan Tannyhill, who came off the bench to lead the Aggies past Kansas three weeks ago. Tannyhill has started the last two games—wins over Texas Tech and Oklahoma.
FYI
- Sun Devil Stadium weather: High 64-Low 43
- Official website: www.fiestabowl.org, (www.insightbowl.com)
- Phoenix website: www.visitphoenix.com
- Tickets: $67-$30: www.fiestabowl.org
- Time: 10:00 p.m. EST, TV: ESPN2
Texas Bowl, Reliant Stadium, Houston, Dec. 29, Big 10 (6) vs. Big 12 (6)
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This will be only the fifth renewal of the game which was previous known as the Houston Bowl. In last year’s contest, Navy upset favored Missouri 35-13.
Most Wolverine fans remember their last Bowl trip to Texas. Nebraska came from behind to beat the Wolverines 32-28 at the 2005 Alamo Bowl, but the final seconds were memorable, if not bizarre. Jason Avant caught a short pass from Chad Henne and started a string of seven or eight laterals.
The ball eventually hit the ground and a scrum almost formed before Tyler Ecker wound up running down the sideline, with one defender to beat and hundreds of coaches, players and fans in pursuit.
Ecker was shoved out of bounds around the Nebraska 15, and his last attempt at Michigan lore was gone forever.
The City of Houston, which is probably know best for NASA, boasts three major “indoor stadiums.” The Astrodome, built in 1965 was the first domed stadium of its kind and was known as “The Eighth Wonder of the World.”
Reliant Stadium and Minute Made Park are both “Retractable Roof” venues, and are relatively new additions to the city. Reliant Stadium, which was built adjacent to the Astrodome, is home to the NFL Houston Texans. Minute Made Park, just eight miles from Reliant Stadium, is home to the MLB Houston Astros.
Michigan’s probable opponent (Kansas State)
If anyone heard the third quarter score coming from Manhattan, Kansas last week. no one would have believed it. Sure, Texas is having a mediocre season, but 39-0? The Wildcats (3-3, 6-3) went on to beat Texas 39-14, but they can’t get too excited since a matchup at Missouri awaits this Saturday.
Kansas State, like Michigan has had a topsy-turvy 2010. Two of their losses came at home, 48-13 to Nebraska and 24-14 to Oklahoma State.
This would be the first meeting between Michigan and Kansas State.
FYI
- Reliant Stadium weather: Inside, 72 degrees; Outside, High 55-Low 37
- Official website: www.thetexasbowl.com
- Houston website: www.visithoustontexas.com
- Tickets: $110-$30: www.ticketmaster.com
- Time: 6 p.m., TV: ESPN
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Ticket City Bowl, Cotton Bowl, Dallas, Jan. 1, Big 10 (7) vs. Big 12 (8)
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The inaugural Dallas Football Classic was recently renamed the Ticket City Bowl. The game replaces the Cotton Bowl Classic which has moved to Texas Stadium in Arlington.
The 92,000-seat Cotton Bowl has been host to the Red River Rivalry between Texas and Oklahoma, in addition to the State Fair Classic, played between Grambling State and Prairie View A & M.
Dallas may pride itself on everything “big”, but very few places can offer such variety, especially when it comes to food. Dallas features excellent barbeque, delicious Mexican, and its own tex-mex cuisine.
The city, with a population of 6.5 million, has teams all four major pro sports. Pro soccer (FC Dallas) also calls the city home while both the PGA Tour and NASCAR make two appearances per year.
Michigan’s probable opponent (Texas Tech)
Tommy Tuberville took over a squad that beat Michigan State 41-31 in last season’s Alamo Bowl.
The Red Raiders have had impressive wins this season over Baylor and just last week over No. 14 Missouri. Texas Tech plays at No. 16 Oklahoma Saturday.
Tech’s senior quarterback Taylor Potts has been excellent in 2010. He’s averaged 287 passing yards per game, while throwing for 24 touchdowns and six interceptions.
FYI
- Cotton Bowl Stadium weather: High 54-Low 34
- Official website: www.ticketcitybowl.com
- Dallas website: www.visitdallas.com
- Tickets: $125-$25: www.shopdallasfootballclassic.com
- Time: Noon, TV: ESPNU
Gator Bowl, EverBank Field, Jacksonville, Jan. 1, Big 10 (4-5) vs. SEC (6)
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Many remember the Gator Bowl as the scene of Woody Hayes’ total collapse. His Ohio State team was trying to make a comeback in the closing moments against Clemson. Buckeye quarterback Art Schlichter tossed what looked like a harmless screen pass but Clemson defender Charlie Baumann came up with an interception.
As Baumann ran down the side near the Buckeye bench, Woody reached out and struck the started Clemson player near the throat. Clemson won the game, Baumann wasn't hurt and Hayes lost his job.
Michigan’s played in two Gator Bowls, losing, 17-15, to North Carolina in 1979, and defeating Mississippi, 35-3, in 1991.
While Jacksonville is legitimately in Florida, it’s still 350 miles north of Miami and the balmy tropical weather.
Michigan’s probable opponent (Mississippi State)
Michigan could meet Mississippi State for the first time ever. Under coach Fed Mullen, the Bulldogs have put together an excellent 2010 campaign, losing only to Auburn and LSU while compiling a 7-2 overall record (3-2 in the SEC).
Winners of six in a row, the Bulldogs get another shot at respect when they travel to Tuscaloosa Saturday to face Alabama (7-2, 4-2).
FYI
- EverBank Stadium weather: High 63-Low 44
- Official website: www.gatorbowl.com
- Jacksonville website: http://jacksonville.com/entertainment
- Tickets: $80-$60: www.ticketmaster.com
- Time: 1:30 p.m. EST, TV: ESPN2
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