Athletic Article: Stewart Mandel projects UM in the Citrus Bowl
The insider's claim is that Citrus Bowl wants us which would pair us against Auburn. Honestly, the Holiday Bowl gives us a chance to go to the West Coast where we have a lot of fans and play maybe USC or Washington (teams we match well against). I love the idea of watching UM on New Years (even if not a NY6 bowl). I love it more when I think we actually have a shot. Auburn coming off an Iron Bowl win like that is probably not going to be pretty.
Thoughts?
December 3rd, 2019 at 12:21 PM ^
I know Auburn would be a more worthy opponent and bigger challenge than USC but I would rather see the USC matchup in San Diego. Reason being it's a non-Florida bowl game (in a nice destination) and we haven't played a Pac 12 team in a bowl in a while. It shakes things up a bit for the team. Maybe the players would be more motivated with things being different? IDK.
December 3rd, 2019 at 12:41 PM ^
Why are so many shirking from the potential challenge? Auburn would be a very sexy matchup, and a NYD game would be so much more fun than the last Friday night in December (when many might even forget to watch).
December 3rd, 2019 at 12:46 PM ^
Agreed, 5 pm bowl game on a weekday, no thanks to that one. New years day against a better, but beatable opponent, sign me up. I think the players will be a little more up for that matchup too, with more to prove against a team from what is perceived as the best conference this year.
December 3rd, 2019 at 1:50 PM ^
By the way - for anyone looking to supplement their sports content outside of ESPN or an echo-chamber - the Athletic runs rotating specials, and they currently have 66% off the annual subscription price, for $20.40. I hadn't ever seen a discount more than 50-60%.
Just an FYI, and apologies if I'm stepping on board toes/highlighting external paid content/etc - I'm just a Michigan fan, not affiliated, and appreciate a good deal (appeals to my Dutch heritage)
December 3rd, 2019 at 1:55 PM ^
B1G agreement with Citrus Bowl is for five different teams in six years, so no Penn State, Minnesota or Michigan, is possible.
Holiday Bowl is most likely versus USC
Gator Bowl is in the mix, but if Auburn takes the Citrus then next SEC team is Florida
If U-M gets sway over Iowa, I think Warde goes for the Holiday Bowl.
December 3rd, 2019 at 5:49 PM ^
So lose to a team that loves to run with our crap run defense or fly west and lose to a pac-12 team without the glamour of the Rose Bowl. Sounds like lose-lose!
December 4th, 2019 at 6:50 AM ^
Don't count out Michigan vs. Alabama if Michigan really does go to the Citrus bowl.
My favorite would be Michigan vs. Auburn, I think, and that could potentially happen in Citrus, or Outback, or Gator. Auburn's stats in NCAA for rushing defense and passing defense don't look outstanding. I would love Michigan to beat Auburn, since I have snobbish SEC acquaintances.
vs. USC would be cool, too, but I think I prefer Auburn for the potential prestige.
vs. Alabama? Hmm . . . well . . . OK! Swing for the fences! Michigan's offense can put up lots of points, even against Ohio State, and Alabama doesn't have as good a defense as Ohio State according to SP+; and maybe Michigan's defense can adapt some post Ohio State.