Michigan football bowl projections: Possible destinations coming into focus
The Michigan Wolverines are currently in their second bye week of the season sitting at 5-5 and needing one more win to gain bowl eligibility in the first season under head coach Sherrone Moore. While that might not be what many thought the expectation would be in 2024, it is the situation they find themselves in nonetheless.
Coming off the bye, Michigan has two regular season chances left to get to win No. 6. The first comes with a visit from Northwestern on Nov. 23 at 3:30 p.m. before heading to Ohio State on Nov. 30 for a noon kick in Columbus. They should be favored to beat the Wildcats, while U-M is expected to be a multiple-score underdog against the Buckeyes.
As we get closer to the end of the regular season, the possible bowl destinations are coming into focus centered on three destinations. After the release of last night’s College Football Playoff rankings, here is where Michigan is projected to land.
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.
College Football News: Music City Bowl vs. Missouri (Dec. 30, Nashville, Tennessee)
M vs. M is starting to become a bit of a trend in these projections.
Athlon Sports: Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl vs. Duke (Dec. 28, Bronx, New York)
Another Michigan-Duke projection comes in this week, but at Yankee Stadium a few days after Christmas compared to the Duke’s Mayo Bowl from a few headings above.
Sports Illustrated: GameAbove Sports Bowl vs. Toledo (Dec. 26, Detroit, Michigan)
For the first time since we started tracking the bowl spots, the “hometown” bowl is in play with a trip to Ford Field in Downtown Detroit a possibility. One would think that would be favorable for ticket sales, but it would not create much fervor within the fanbase. But if stars opt-out and young players get a chance to shine, a MAC opponent might provide an opportunity for a win to close out the year, at least.
The Athletic: Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl vs. Duke (Dec. 28, Bronx, New York)
Michigan is 6-0 against Duke all-time in football with all of the games in the series played between 1960-78.
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Bleacher Report: Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl vs. Pittsburgh (Dec. 28, Bronx, New York)
Another Yankee Stadium prediction here against a different ACC opponent. This time it comes in the form of the Pitt Panthers, who Michigan holds a 2-0 advantage against all-time with the wins taking place in 1941 and 1947.
Action Network: Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl vs. Pittsburgh (Dec. 28, Bronx, New York)
Mark another one down for a Pinstripe Bowl against Pittsburgh. Action Network has Michigan as a hypothetical 2.5-point favorite.
Kyle Bonagura, ESPN: GameAbove Sports Bowl vs. Toledo (Dec. 26, Detroit, Michigan)
A 45-minute drive east down I-94 shows up on the second projection this week. U-M and Toledo have played each other in football only once, a 13-10 win for the Rockets during the 2008 season.
Mark Schlabach, ESPN: Music City Bowl vs. Vanderbilt (Dec. 30, Nashville, Tennessee)
One final projection to Nashville this week pits the Wolverines against the hometown school and quarterback Diego Pavia, who has made the Commodores one of the most interesting teams to watch in the SEC. Michigan is 10-0-1 all-time against Vandy.
