Michigan football bowl projections: Four spots in play heading into Week 14
The Michigan Wolverines are going to a bowl game this postseason after a 50-6 win over Northwestern moved the program to 6-5 on the season. One more regular season test looms in a trip to Ohio State on Saturday, but regardless the team has done enough to earn a bowl bid in the first season under Sherrone Moore.
Most, including us at The Wolverine, have speculated the Music City Bowl in Nashville on Dec. 30 at Nissan Stadium is the most likely spot for them to land. But there is still plenty to sort out, and the bowl ties could change a bit this year with the West Coast Big Ten teams potentially heading to bowls with previous Pac-12 ties.
Regardless, plenty of projections are out there to get an idea of where Michigan might land. Below is the roundup heading into the final week of the regular season.
CBS Sports: Music City Bowl vs. Missouri (Dec. 30, Nashville, Tennessee)
The Missouri program has been copying a lot of Michigan traits of late, right down to beating Ohio State on the field last postseason. The two could settle somewhat of a score in Nashville, and renew a series that has not been played on the field since 1975. Michigan is 2-2 against Missouri all-time.
Kyle Bonagura, ESPN: Dukes Mayo Bowl vs. Syracuse (Jan. 3, Charlotte, North Carolina)
It would not be a Michigan projection without a Mayo Bowl appearance somewhere. This is the first time we’ve seen Syracuse as a potential opponent this bowl season cycle. The Wolverines hold a 6-5-1 all-time advantage but have not met the Orange on the football field since 1999.
Mark Schlabach, ESPN: Music City Bowl vs. Ole Miss (Dec. 30, Nashville, Tennessee)
Another pick for Michigan heading to Nashville, this time against Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss. The Wolverine own a 1-0 advantage in the all-time series with the lone meeting coming in the 1991 Gator Bowl. Neither fanbase might be all that fired up for this one after having College Football Playoff expectations coming into the year.
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Athlon Sports: Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl vs. Duke (Dec. 28, Bronx, New York)
The Pinstripe Bowl and a trip to Yankee Stadium is still a possibility for the Wolverines. Michigan is 6-0 against Duke all-time in football with all of the games in the series played between 1960-78.
Sporting News: Reliaquest Bowl vs. Texas A&M (Dec. 31, Tampa, Florida)
This bowl has not shown up a ton in the projections this year, but would send Michigan to a familiar spot in Tampa. The event was formerly known as the Hall of Fame Bowl from 1986-95 before its name change to the Outback Bowl from 1996-2022.
College Football News: Music City Bowl vs. South Carolina (Dec. 30, Nashville, Tennessee)
A trip to Nashville continues to circle as the most likely destination, at least as far as the bowl projections go. This game would provide a rematch of the Outback Bowl in 2013, meaning a famous hit will probably be played on repeat during the game coverage. The Gamecocks hold a 3-1 advantage in the all-time series.
Action Network: Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl vs. Pittsburgh (Dec. 28, Bronx, New York)
Michigan is 2-0 all-time against the Panthers with its victories coming in 1941 and 1947, respectively.
