Michigan Football: Updating Wolverines Bowl Projection after Win at Purdue
A week ago, the Michigan football team upended Illinois in triple overtime to become bowl eligible for the first time since the Lloyd Carr era. But despite the six wins, there was still a small possibility Michigan would be home for the holidays.
Saturday’s 27-16 win over Purdue actually did, in fact, guarantee a bowl appearance.
Not only will it be the first bowl game for third-year coach Rich Rodriguez, it probably assured his return in 2011.
The Wolverines (7-3, 3-3) face much tougher competition in the final two weeks. They meet Wisconsin (9-1, 5-1) Saturday at the Big House before making the dreaded trek to Columbus.
This past weekend, Wisconsin manhandled Indiana 83-20, while Ohio State turned two second half “pick-sixes” into a convincing 38-14 victory. For Michigan fans, the thoughts of a bowl game may help Thanksgiving turkey go down a little easier.
Michigan could wind up anywhere from fourth to eighth in the final Big Ten standings.
While we’ve been down this road before, let’s take another look at Michigan’s bowl possibilities.
Of course, there are a couple of wild cards. First Texas could upset Texas A&M Thanksgiving night and become Bowl eligible. Texas would then be a target of the Texas Bowl, or the Ticket City Bowl.
If Michigan upsets either Wisconsin or Ohio State, the Capital One or Outback Bowls would then become distinct possibilities.
Little Caesars Pizza, Ford Field, Detroit, Dec. 26, Big 10 (8) vs. MAC (1)
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Less than 50 miles from Ann Arbor, the Caesars Pizza Bowl provides an enjoyable holiday experience without the travel expense. If you’re an ice skating buff, spend the afternoon on downtown Detroit’s outdoor rinks, one in Campus Martius and the other at Hart Plaza.
Take in a Red Wing’s game at Joe Louis Arena, play the slots across the river in Canada or sample Detroit’s famous “Coney Island” hot dogs.
Michigan’s probable opponent (Northern Illinois)
Northern Illinois is no doubt 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. They were idle this week, but they crushed Toledo 65-30 in their last outing.
In their only meeting, Michigan defeated Northern Illinois 33-17 back in 2005.
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
Insight Bowl, Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Dec. 28, Big 10 (4-5) vs. Big 12 (4)
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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 7-3 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 four weeks ago. Tannyhill has started the last three games—wins over Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Baylor.
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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Houston’s Reliant Stadium will be the setting for the fifth Texas Bowl, which was previous known as the Houston Bowl. Halliburton, Allstate Insurance and visithoustontexas.com are three of the sponsors.
The City of Houston, which is probably known 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 (Baylor)
Like Michigan, Baylor’s problems have come on the defensive side of the ball. The Bears (7-4, 4-2) give up nearly 28 points a game, thus putting a damper on a fine offensive attack. Quarterback Robert Griffin III has thrown for nearly 280 yards per game, while tossing 20 touchdown passes. Running back Jay Finley has rambled for 1,023 yards and 11 touchdowns. Baylor started off with an impressive 7-2 mark, becoming bowl eligible for the first time since 1994.
Michigan and Baylor have played twice, with Michigan winning 38-3 in 1997. The two teams battled to a 14-14 tie in 1975 as two Michigan quarterbacks combined for three completions and two interceptions.
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 all four major pro sports teams. 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 (Kansas State, longshot: Texas)
Kansas State’s recent 39-14 upset of Texas is becoming old news. The Wildcats lost to Missouri 38-28 over the weekend, making it three defeats in four games. Sure, Texas is having a mediocre season, but if they upset Texas A&M Thanksgiving night, organizers will probably bring all those Longhorn fans to fill the Cotton Bowl.
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), SEC (6)
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Jacksonville is known primarily as a military town, home of the NFL Jacksonville Jaguars and the PGA Tour’s Players Championship.
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, longshot: Florida)
Michigan could meet Mississippi State for the first time ever. Under coach Fed Mullen, the Bulldogs just saw their six-game winning streak stopped by Alabama 30-10.
A loss to Arkansas this week, and Florida might be Michigan’s bowl opponent for the third time in the last decade. Michigan defeated Florida both times, winning 38-30 in the 2003 Outback Bowl and 41-35 in the 2008 Capital One Bowl. Minor bowls or not, those were two great football games.
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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