Michigan football bowl projections, scenarios ahead of Ohio State week
Michigan football has one regular-season game remaining with a date vs. the Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday. OSU is favored and most expect them to win, which somewhat reveals Michigan’s postseason fate barring a total meltdown.
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Here is a look at the bowl projections from across college football media, including a quick look at what else could be on the line this weekend.
ESPN’s Kyle Bonagura and Mark Schlabach: Rose Bowl (Jan. 1): Michigan football vs. Utah
Both ESPN bowl prognosticators are on the same page. This would be a rematch of the 2015 game, which was Jim Harbaugh’s first as Michigan’s head coach (24-17 L). The Utes are coming off of a win that kicks Oregon out of the College Football Playoff conversation for now.
CBS Sports’ Jerry Palm: Rose Bowl (Jan. 1) vs. Oregon
Oregon’s Rose Bowl hopes are not dead yet, however. If everything holds to form, they will meet Utah again in the Pac-12 title game. The playoff is probably off the table, but the Ducks will get another shot at the Utes, presumably for the right to play Michigan.
Athlon Sports: Rose Bowl (Jan. 1) vs. Utah
Athlon Sports is in the camp that believes Utah will hold off Oregon and make the Rose Bowl. There is suddenly more drama here than if Michigan will be there or not.
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College Football News: Rose Bowl (Jan. 1) vs. Oregon
“There are several ways Michigan doesn’t go to the Rose Bowl – most involve the Big Ten West winning the Big Ten championship – but as long as the date with Ohio State isn’t a total wipeout, Jim Harbaugh should be in Pasadena.”
What else Michigan football is playing for
The Rose Bowl is the most likely outcome given that Ohio State is favored to win on Saturday. Should that be the case, Michigan will go to Pasadena unless OSU loses the Big Ten Championship game. If the Buckeyes lose in Indianapolis, the West winner will go to Pasadena and OSU will be bound for another New Years Six bowl. This is where the door would be open for Michigan to play in the Fiesta or Peach bowls, likely the former.
Michigan beating Ohio State and winning the Big Ten Championship game would put them in the College Football Playoff in either the Cotton (Arlington, TX) or Orange (Miami, FL) bowls.
The summary? Assuming that the winner of the Big Ten East wins in Indianapolis, Michigan is either going to the Rose Bowl or playoff. Any chaos out of the West probably puts them in the Fiesta Bowl with a shot at the Peach, as well.
