Michigan vs. Tennessee in the Gator Bowl?

Submitted by dmcb32 on

Per thewolverine.com says that UM will be headed to the Gator Bowl to face off with the Tennessee Vols (6-6, 3-5).  This is a good matchup!

nsweet

December 3rd, 2010 at 10:14 PM ^

Well living about 25 minutes away from UT campus, I can tell you the fans here do not even care about the Heisman due to that year.  I moved to Knoxville at the end of 2001 and had to endure that game here, where by the way I was glad I did not watch the game with my wife!  Would never have happened if Tennessee did not look past LSU in the SEC championship.  Killed me, but we will always be able to bring up the Heisman.

jtmc33

December 3rd, 2010 at 5:29 PM ^

I can't see the Gator Bowl passing on Florida, let alone passing on an SEC team with a winning record (Miss. State) in favor of a 6-6 team  (whether Tennessee or Georgia).

Auburn, Arkansas, LSU and 'Bama are destined for the BCS, BCS, Cotton and Cap One

Then you have 9-4 (assuming) S. Carolina, 8-4 Mississippi State and 7-5 Florida for the Outback, Gator and Some-Other-Bowl

THEN .... you finally get to 6-6 Tennessee, Georgia, and Kentucky

How could anyone argue that a 6-6 team in the SEC gets to leap over a 7-5 Florida AND an 8-4 Mississippi State or 9-4 S. Carolina?

shorts

December 3rd, 2010 at 5:40 PM ^

We would also bring more fans, viewers and money to the Capital One Bowl than Michigan State would, but they have a far superior record this year and therefore deserve to go to the better game.

Mississippi State is a much better team than Tennessee -- so is South Carolina and so is Florida -- so it seems like record should have some effect (although the Gator Bowl exec basically said it doesn't, so you're probably right).

MI Expat NY

December 3rd, 2010 at 5:44 PM ^

I don't know how the SEC does their bowl selection, but I know in the Big 10 bowls have a selection order that limits the bowls to selecting any team within one game of the team "slotted" for their bowl.  Meaning, since the Capital one bowl gets 2nd choice (really 3rd), they can pick MSU or anyone within one game of MSU (nobody, this year).  I would be surprised if the SEC would limit their selections that way, after all, it's all about money in SEC country.

MI Expat NY

December 3rd, 2010 at 5:54 PM ^

I was just going to edit my post.  It wouldn't matter if the SEC had the same procedures, Tenn. (3-5), UF (4-4) and MSU (4-4) are all within one game.  Gator Bowl could choose whoever they want out of that group.  

I'm not positive, but does the gator bowl have the fifth (really sixth) choice from the SEC?  Assuming Auburn, Ark to BCS bowls, and LSU, USC, and Bama to the Capital One, Peach and Outback?  Leaving the Gator bowl the next choice and  bowl eligible SEC team but Kentucky?   

Edit:  Forgot about the Cotton Bowl.  Tenn. isn't that far fetched when the Gator bowl is that far down the pecking order.  I still think it will be Florida though.

MI Expat NY

December 3rd, 2010 at 5:37 PM ^

The Florida answer is over concern that with Florida's recent big bowl games, they won't travel to Jacksonville, and those that will will be traveling for the game only, meaning no hotel stays, no restaurant bills.  The Gator Bowl has made it clear that they care about all those factors, not just selling tickets and seeing good teams.

BlueinLansing

December 3rd, 2010 at 6:54 PM ^

MISSION STATEMENT

The Gator Bowl Association’s mission is to provide Northeast Florida with the very best in college athletics and related activities in order to maximize positive impact on the area’s economy, national image and community pride.

 

 

pretty much says it all

Tacopants

December 3rd, 2010 at 5:50 PM ^

I'm not sure you have this figured out correctly.

#1 Auburn is going to the BCS.

#2 Arkansas goes to the BCS

#3 LSU is in the Citrus

#4 Alabama/#5 Sakerlina/#6 Mississippi State into the Cotton/Chick Fil A/Outback.

THEN

The Gator Bowl can take its pick.  This leaves it open to everybody from the SEC East except Vandy.

I don't think they'd pass on a UF, but stranger things have happened.

Captain Obvious

December 3rd, 2010 at 5:31 PM ^

Well, that's pretty much the best case scenario.  UT is certainly a winnable game over an ESSSSEEEECEEEE opponent in a bowl where a lot of our players will get to play close to home for once.

AAB

December 3rd, 2010 at 5:49 PM ^

13th.   They had 13 on the field.  In the words of the immortal Spencer Hall:

Then the ball is snapped with the game on the line between two major college football powers with one team having 13 men on the field and another with a non-running running quarterback who watches in horror as the ball is snapped over his head and covered for a game-ending busted play. THIS ALL HAPPENED IN REAL LIFE. 

 

joeyb

December 3rd, 2010 at 5:46 PM ^

How can they pick without knowing which teams will be in BCS games? If only Auburn goes, then Miss St is the highest team at 8-4 and they can't pick Tennessee over them.