Gator Bowl: Michigan to Face Mississippi State In New Year's Day Game

The Michigan Wolverines will face the No. 21 Mississippi State Bulldogs in the Gator Bowl on Jan. 1, MGoBlue.com reported Sunday.

The New Year's Day tilt takes place annually at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Fla. The game will kick off at 1:30 p.m. EST and will be televised nationally on ESPN2.

"We are excited about representing the Big Ten Conference in the Gator Bowl," Michigan director of athletics Dave Brandon told the website. "Our players, coaches and football support staff have worked hard all season and this is a great reward for them. We have great alumni and fan support in the Sunshine State, and I anticipate a large Michigan contingent in Jacksonville."

This will be Michigan's third appearance in the Gator Bowl. The Wolverines' initial matchup occurred on Dec. 28, 1976, when they fell 17-15 to North Carolina. On New Year's Day 1991, the Wolverines crushed Mississippi 35-3 in their second appearance.

"We are excited about the opportunity to play a very good Mississippi State team in the Gator Bowl," said Michigan head coach Rich Rodriguez. "They run a first-class operation and our players will really enjoy the experience."

Mississippi State, which enters the game at 8-4 (4-4 SEC), will be facing Michigan for the first time in school history.

"Mississippi State is a great team and has been consistently ranked among the top 25 this season," Rodriguez continued. "Dan Mullen and his staff have done an outstanding job. It should be a great matchup and we look forward to playing them on New Year's Day."