Bowl projections, 12/8/13 (updated)

Submitted by dnak438 on

Jason Kirk over at SB Nation projects Michigan vs. Kansas State in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl in Phoenix on December 28th.

Sports Illustrated suggests Michigan vs. Georgia in the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville on January 1st.

Thoughts? Both teams are probably better than Michigan, although Georgia won't have Aaron Murray (torn ACL).

EDIT: ESPN is also predicting that Michigan will be picked by the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl (LINK).

UPDATE: Michigan and Nebraska, Georgia, Texas A&M and LSU in the mix for the Gator Bowl (LINK)

VaUMWolverine

December 8th, 2013 at 11:30 AM ^

I get tired of being so excited for football and then having the same results every year. I'm approaching next year differently. That way I won't be disappointed if/when it happens. Akron and UCONN make me pessimistic.

tybert

December 8th, 2013 at 10:37 AM ^

I'd like NY Day game vs. Georgia, two teams that disappointed this year but can get a good start on next season. We gain nothing playing KSU. Georgia at least is a name brand.

Minnesota DOES NOT draw well. They'll be in the bottom feeder bowl, even though they played well for most of the year.

gopherfan

December 8th, 2013 at 11:22 AM ^

It's true that Minnesota will probably be the last Big 10 team taken due to our traveling reputation. The disappointing thing about that is that we don't draw well because most Gopher fans don't care to travel to a bowl that nobody cares about.  Unfortunately, those are the only bowls we ever end up in. So as long as we go to those, no one shows up. As long as no one shows up, we keep our same traveling reputation.  It seems very circular and difficult to break out of.

An informal poll on the Minnesota rivals site had about 3 times as many posters who said they would buy tickets to the Gator Bowl than the Texas Bowl, but there is no chance we end up at the Gator Bowl. I hope Michigan takes care of business there. I think there are some definitie positives from the OSU game that you can build on over the next few weeks.

 

 

Blue from Ohio

December 8th, 2013 at 10:42 AM ^

After this season, I'd be happy with the Gator bowl and a matchup with Georgia.  Even without Murray, its a decent SEC team and would be a good building point for next season with a win.  Plus something good to watch on New Years day.

M-Dog

December 8th, 2013 at 12:40 PM ^

Nobody thought we could compete with South Carolina last year.  Until we did.

I'd love to see a Michigan - Georgia matchup.  I would not care if it was in the Pizza Bowl.  It would get everyone's blood moving . . .fans, players, coaches, media.  

If we could win it, it would be a feather on our cap, er, feather on the wing of our helmet.  Nobody remembers that we did not have our starting QB last year against an SEC team.  Them not having theirs against us this year is a fair turnaround.

Bring on the Dogs. 

 

bighouse22

December 8th, 2013 at 12:54 PM ^

There is more upside for Michigan and the Big Ten with a Michigan vs. Georgia matchup.  This is a winnable matchup against an SEC opponent.  If we want the reputation of the Big Ten to change, it has to start with wins against the SEC.  I don't believe a win against KSU does much for the Big Ten.

The benefit of MSU winning is that the Big Ten gets a slate of Bowl games that they can win.  MSU can and will beat Stanford.  OSU can and will beat Clemson.  Iowa vs. LSU would be tough, but a win by Michigan against Georgia would go a long way as well.  Let Nebraska slug it out with Texas or KSU.  Minnesota as the last selection would also be ideal.  They have been playing well and could come up with the W as well.

A win by Michigan against Georgia would also be a plus in recruiting and would end this season on a positive note heading into the offseason.  I would actually look forward to next year if they finish strong.

LSAClassOf2000

December 8th, 2013 at 10:44 AM ^

All things equal, Massey would predict Michigan to have 32% against Georgia and 39% against KSU, although the Georgia matchup may have a practical edge because of their injury situation. The predicted median score for the theoretical KSU matchup would be 34-31, so possibly a close and manageable game there as well. Either might prove interesting. 

Princetonwolverine

December 8th, 2013 at 10:44 AM ^

Unfortunately, considering some close wins against some lousy teams (Akron, Uconn, NW)

we are "lucky" to be bowl eligible.

snarling wolverine

December 8th, 2013 at 11:52 AM ^

I think everyone can acknowledge that we played badly in those games (although NW really is a bowl-caliber team that had horrible luck).  But we came close to beating four other teams, all bowl-bound.  Are you going to wave your hand and pretend that didn't happen?  I'm not going to argue that we deserve to be 11-1, but we don't deserve 4-8 either.

We might note as well that Akron and UConn came at the beginning of the season when Devin had his turnover problems.  They wouldn't have been close if he'd taken care of the ball as well as he did in October/November.

 

 

 

Perkis-Size Me

December 8th, 2013 at 11:26 AM ^

I don't want to take away from Carlos Hyde's abilities, but part of what makes him so good is the threat of Braxton taking off with the ball as well. Gurley is very good, but there's no threat of their QB taking off with the ball. Right now, Gurley is that team's entire offense, so I think we'd be able to key on him a little better than we would on Hyde.

Blue from Ohio

December 8th, 2013 at 10:53 AM ^

Looking at the better big Ten teams from this year, I like our chances next year.  MIchigan State and Ohio both lose a bunch of quality Sr starters, not to mention whatever Ohio jr's bolt for the NFL.  I thik Ohio's offensive line was like 4 Sr starters.  Outside of Lewan, Schofield, and Gallon, we return most of the production from this year, along with some good younger players.