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)

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2013 bowl game projection

WolvinOhio

December 8th, 2013 at 1:07 PM ^

Is also the definition of what it means to be a sports fan. It also could apply to anyone who uses computers, where in my experience one actually does get different results by doing the same thing over and over. Also, try not to focus too much on standings, and more on the beauty of a well-executed play, or a player who is "on fire" for a game o a few plays, or a player who I has reached the next level of ability. Works for me.

Joined: 08/31/2008

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maizenbluenc

December 8th, 2013 at 12:00 PM ^

loses all these key players, while all our 5 star redshirt frosh are back as rs sophomores. OSU and MSU can't possibly have as good a set of backfills as the ones we have for Lewan, Schofield, Gallon, Q, et al. With our latest, greatest youngsters we're going to dominate! Guys, 2014 is the year! I just know it ..... /S Maybe a run at the B1G in 2015, but not nationally relevant until at least 2016 in my view.

Joined: 07/21/2009

MGoPoints: 10630

maize-blue

December 8th, 2013 at 5:10 PM ^

I've been patient through the 2013 season because unlike most I've thought that this year would be the start of a building phase. I also believe that in 2014 we'll see this team turnaround almost like a light switch has gone off. We may not win 11 games but I think we'll see an improved product on the field and there will be optimism about the future.

Joined: 01/10/2013

MGoPoints: 44662

chatster

December 8th, 2013 at 11:35 AM ^

In the Big Ten bowl selection process, the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl selects before the Gator Bowl this year.  A Nebraska-Oklahoma State match-up makes sense there.  Oklahoma State will be out for revenge for the 51-41 loss at Boone Pickens Stadium in 2010.  And who wouldn’t want to see Bo Pelini and Mike Gundy cursing at each other during the pre-game press conference? 
 
Gator Bowl makes sense for Michigan.  While Minnesota will have legitimate gripes about being the last Big Ten team selected, they lost to Michigan this season, even though Michigan had a worse record.  Plus, the Gator Bowl and the Jaguars can promote special appearances by the last three quarterbacks to start for Michigan in a bowl game, Chad Henne, Denard Robinson and Devin Gardner.
 
And then there's Gator Bowling – coming to you live on ESPN The Ocho from Bowl America Mandarin in Jacksonville, Florida with your hosts Cotton McKnight and Pepper Brooks.  Teams from Michigan and Georgia will Dodge, Dip, Dive, Duck, Dodge and Roll, except for those who, like Walter Sobchak, don't (effing) roll on Shabbos.

Joined: 09/14/2010

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BlueMan80

December 8th, 2013 at 11:34 AM ^

I'm sure the bowl will want to setup a game with two big name programs, so Georgia and Texas fit the bill. I'm just glad that we are going to a bowl and the team gets more practices and time to improve. The bowl will also clue everyone in to whether Al B. has turned a corner or not. Would be nice for the defense to end the season on a more positive note, too.

Joined: 01/21/2011

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BlueMan80

December 8th, 2013 at 2:38 PM ^

I'm tired of all the gloom and doom around here. We had a strange and painful season. Nobody in Schembechler Hall is happy with the results, but they need to keep moving forward and improving. Young players need time to mature and the bowl game gives them the opportunity to play more football.

Joined: 01/21/2011

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LSAClassOf2000

December 8th, 2013 at 12:11 PM ^

It won't get quite that treatment unless it is a way over the top remark, but what I have tried to do off and on throughout the day - in the background - is delete such complaining in certain threads, especially when it not relevant to the intent of the thread. Repeat offenders may get thumped - I do keep a spreadsheet of names. 

Joined: 01/07/2011

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Frito Bandito

December 8th, 2013 at 11:38 AM ^

Any chance we see Ohio vs Bama in the sugar bowl? I'd love to see Urbs get smacked around by the guy who gave him his illness.

Joined: 03/01/2012

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Benoit Balls

December 8th, 2013 at 11:50 AM ^

OSU will go to the Orange Bowl and play Clemson.  granted, that's not set in stone, but let's be serious...if that's what ESPN wants, that's probably what will happen

 

EDIT: USA Today agrees: http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/bowls/2013/12/08/bowl-projections-bcs-title-game-florida-state-auburn-ohio-state/3906673/

Joined: 11/27/2010

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flashOverride

December 8th, 2013 at 11:43 AM ^

I hate to say it, but I'd rather have a crap opponent whom I know Michigan will thump. I just feel like the program is in a fragile place right now (recruiting, overall psyche) and does not need another massive setback or even a "moral victory" ala Ohio State. It needs a win, even if it's in a yawner bowl. Look what that did for Sparty this year.  

Joined: 08/04/2013

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flashOverride

December 8th, 2013 at 1:49 PM ^

I agree that would be great, but I worry what perceptions will be fed if Michigan LOSES to Georgia or Texas. 

My concern with a loss of any kind is it makes clear the Ohio State game was a fluke. Even if it really was, a win masks the issue for a time, and possibly mitigates recruiting damage. I want the coaches to know what they have, but not at the expense of Jabrill Peppers and Malik McDowell, if the latter is even a hope anymore. 

Joined: 08/04/2013

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flashOverride

December 8th, 2013 at 1:47 PM ^

No, I just think that victory gave them some positive momentum, "something to build from", to be really cliche, going into this season. If Connor Cook hadn't proven himself in that game, I wonder whether Dantonio would have given up on Maxwell so soon this season. Not that Maxwell didn't legitimately suck, but Cook's performance off the bench in the BWW Bowl last year let him now he did have a real alternative. 

Joined: 08/04/2013

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Mr. Yost

December 8th, 2013 at 11:55 AM ^

National Championship Game
FSU over Auburn: 35-34

Orange Bowl
OSU over Clemson: 42-28

Sugar Bowl
Bama over Oklahoma: 35-10
or
Bama over Oregon: 38-35

Fiesta Bowl
Baylor over UCF: 38-20

Rose Bowl
Stanford over MSU: 16-10

Joined: 07/25/2011

MGoPoints: -9898220

Rage

December 8th, 2013 at 12:40 PM ^

If I was a betting man, I'd pick Ohio to thump Clemson.  I'd also pick State to control Stanford.  

I also think FSU is also going to lose in the NC.  As bad as it sounds, 40% of me was hoping Ohio would have played them in the NC.  Whoever FSU plays will win.  Another year of the SEC winning the NC makes me nauseous.  

Joined: 05/15/2012

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bighouse22

December 8th, 2013 at 1:49 PM ^

FSU over Auburn

Oregon or Oklahoma over Alabama

OSU over Clemson

MSU over Stanford

Michigan over Georgia

The outcomes above would help the Big10 reputation and take some luster off of the SEC.  Both of which will be needed if the Big 10 has a shot of getting a 1 loss team in the 4 team playoff.  This will matter for Michigan in the next year or so as this team improves. 

 

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gustave ferbert

December 8th, 2013 at 11:50 AM ^

I looked it up and saw the Gator Bowl pays nearly twice as much as the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl. Please correct me if I'm wrong.  But wouldn't it make sense to want to go to the Gator bowl?  I heard rumblings this morning in WTKA that Michigan wants to go to the BW3 bowl.  Perhaps there is something that I am missing in all this. . . 

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