Gator Bowl: Report: Michigan Wolverines To Face Mississippi State Bulldogs

As announced on Sunday evening, Denard Robinson and the Michigan Wolverines (7-5) will face off against Vick Ballard and the Mississippi State Bulldogs in the Gator Bowl.

Michigan Athletic Director Dave Brandon will reportedly wait until after the game—which is played on New Year’s Day—to evaluate coach Rich Rodriguez.

Rodriguez led the Wolverines to a two-win improvement and his first winning season in Ann Arbor.

But he’s firmly planted on the hot seat due to a 2-5 finish, and the fact that he’s winless against Michigan’s biggest rivals: Ohio State, Penn State and Michigan State.

Yet amongst the Mississippi State fanbase, there can’t be too many complaints.

And Bulldog coach Dan Mullen’s job is anything but in jeopardy after leading his program to an impressive season.

Mississippi State was a slightly disappointing 4-4 in conference, but in the ultra-competitive SEC, that’s not too shabby.  Especially when you consider their losses—at LSU and Alabama and at home against Auburn and Arkansas—all of which are more than forgivable.

As for the matchup, it should be an interesting contrast of styles.

The Gator Bowl will mark the first matchup between the two schools, and it will pit early-season Heisman favorite Denard Robinson against the nation’s 27th-ranked scoring defense—one which did the unimaginable, holding Cam Newton and Auburn to just 17 points.

Michigan has the country’s 22nd-ranked scoring offense, but is just 102nd in points allowed.

The matchup also will put two of college football’s best rushing attacks on display, with Michigan ranking 11th nationally in rush offense, and Mississippi State coming in at No. 16.

The keys to watch will be to see if Mississippi State’s mediocre offense can keep up with Michigan’s quick-strike offense, and if Michigan’s defense will bother to show up for a game just once.

The Wolverines haven’t been stifled too often on offense, but if anyone can stop them, it’s the guys who somehow held Cam Newton to just 206 total yards.

With an elite offense going up against an elite defense, this one should be fun to watch.

Matt Rudnitsky is a student at the University of Michigan and a Featured Columnist/writing intern at Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Mattrud.