Michigan Bowl Forecast: 6 Possible Opponents Remain

The late three-game winning streak could pay huge dividends for the Michigan football program.

Wins over Illinois, Nebraska and Ohio State could vault Michigan into a BCS Bowl Game for the first time since 2006. Not only will the Wolverines get a few extra weeks of practice, present and future recruiting classes will get an unexpected shot in the arm. 

Currently ranked 16th in the BCS standings, Michigan must climb to the 14th position to be eligible for a BCS contest. 

Realistically, Michigan will leapfrog the loser of the Big Ten Championship Game, and also pass Georgia if LSU expectedly wins the SEC title tilt—and No. 17 Baylor doesn't slide past Michigan in the rankings.

If the Wolverines get a BCS bid, they'll most likely face the undefeated Houston Cougars in the Sugar Bowl.

All told, there are six teams and three bowls involved in Michigan's postseason plans.

Let's take a look at who Michigan might face—and where:  

No. 6 Houston (12-0, 8-0), Conference USA West, Next: Southern Miss

All-Time Series: Michigan, 3-0-0

Last Meeting: Michigan 42-21, 1993

Prospective Bowl: Sugar 

As it currently stands, this is the most likely scenario for Michigan. Houston, which is a two-touchdown favorite over Southern Miss, should come into the matchup undefeated.

Houston's Case Keenum will no doubt test Michigan's shaky secondary. The 6'2" senior quarterback has thrown for 4,726 yards, 43 touchdowns and only three interceptions. 

The game will be an interesting contrast between Keenum, who's a strict pro-style passer, and Denard Robinson, who's a threat to pass or run. 

No. 12 South Carolina (10-2, 6-2), SEC East, Season Complete

All-Time Series: 1-1-0

Last Meeting: Michigan 34-3, 1985

Prospective Bowl: Outback

Michigan could face the "old ball coach" in the Outback Bowl.

Steve Spurrier is best known for his 12-year run as coach of the Florida Gators, where he captured six SEC titles and the 1996 national championship.

The 2011 season may have been Spurrier's toughest as a coach. First, he was forced to kick starting quarterback Stephen Garcia off he team after five games, before watching Heisman Trophy hopeful Marcus Lattimore tear up his knee against Mississippi State in Game 7.

Fortunately, backup quarterback Connor Shaw rescued the Gamecocks by leading them to victories in six of the final seven games.  

No. 14 Georgia (10-2, 7-1), SEC East, Next vs. LSU

All-Time Series: 1-1-0

Last Meeting: Georgia 15-7, 1965

Prospective Bowl: Capital One

Despite winning its last 10 games—including a 45-7 thrashing of Auburn—Georgia is a two-touchdown underdog to No. 1 LSU in Saturday's SEC championship game.

Because of its opening losses to Boise State and South Carolina, the Bulldogs will miss out on a BCS berth, unless they upset the Tigers.

Should the Wolverines meet the streaking Bulldogs, they'll have to face quarterback Aaron Murray, who's already thrown a school-record 32 touchdown passes in 2011.   

No. 8 Arkansas (10-2, 6-2), SEC West, Season Complete

All-Time Series: Michigan, 1-0-0

Last Meeting: Michigan 45-31, 1998 Citrus Bowl

Prospective Bowl: Capital One 

After former Michigan quarterback Ryan Mallett finished his illustrious Arkansas career a season ago, no one expected the Razorbacks to contend for the 2011 title.

But Arkansas rode the arm of Tyler Wilson to a 10-2 season, losing one-sided road games to LSU and Alabama.

The Razorbacks lost a shot at a BCS bowl game last weekend when they were crushed by No. 1 LSU 41-17. Earlier in the season, Alabama thumped Arkansas, 38-14.

Wilson finished the regular season with 3,422 passing yards, but like Mallett before him, he was not the most mobile of quarterbacks. The offensive line took some of the blame, but Wilson was sacked 23 times. 

No. 11 Kansas State (9-2, 6-2), Big 12, Next: Iowa State

No previous meetings

Prospective Bowl: Sugar

For Kansas State to earn a berth in the Sugar Bowl, it looks like both Houston and Oklahoma State will have to lose this weekend, and the Wildcats must beat Iowa State.

The 2011 edition of the Kansas State football team will go down in history on both good and bad notes.

First, Kansas State can now claim the championship of Texas, since they beat all four Big 12 teams from the Longhorn State: Texas, Texas Tech, Baylor and Texas A&M.

Second, and this they might want to forget, the Wildcats allowed more than 50 points on three consecutive occasions.

No. 3 Oklahoma State (10-1, 7-1), Big 12, Next: Oklahoma

All-Time Series: Michigan, 2-0-0

Last Meeting: Michigan 35-3, 1992

Prospective Bowl: Sugar 

Oklahoma State's consolation prize for losing to Oklahoma would be a spot in the Sugar Bowl, but they would also need the Houston Cougars to lose.

Now if the Cowboys destroy Texas, there will be some sentiment for Oklahoma State to vault over Alabama into the championship game.

Oklahoma State has the offense to do the job, but its defense has allowed over 27 points per game, 64th in the nation. Both Texas A&M and Texas Tech stayed close to the Cowboys, so it looks like a rout of No. 10 Oklahoma is doubtful.