Bowl projections, 12/8/13 (updated)
Jason Kirk over at SB Nation projects Michigan vs. Kansas State in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl in Phoenix on December 28th.
Sports Illustrated suggests Michigan vs. Georgia in the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville on January 1st.
Thoughts? Both teams are probably better than Michigan, although Georgia won't have Aaron Murray (torn ACL).
EDIT: ESPN is also predicting that Michigan will be picked by the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl (LINK).
UPDATE: Michigan and Nebraska, Georgia, Texas A&M and LSU in the mix for the Gator Bowl (LINK)
December 8th, 2013 at 11:30 AM ^
December 8th, 2013 at 11:31 AM ^
December 8th, 2013 at 10:37 AM ^
I'd like NY Day game vs. Georgia, two teams that disappointed this year but can get a good start on next season. We gain nothing playing KSU. Georgia at least is a name brand.
Minnesota DOES NOT draw well. They'll be in the bottom feeder bowl, even though they played well for most of the year.
December 8th, 2013 at 11:22 AM ^
It's true that Minnesota will probably be the last Big 10 team taken due to our traveling reputation. The disappointing thing about that is that we don't draw well because most Gopher fans don't care to travel to a bowl that nobody cares about. Unfortunately, those are the only bowls we ever end up in. So as long as we go to those, no one shows up. As long as no one shows up, we keep our same traveling reputation. It seems very circular and difficult to break out of.
An informal poll on the Minnesota rivals site had about 3 times as many posters who said they would buy tickets to the Gator Bowl than the Texas Bowl, but there is no chance we end up at the Gator Bowl. I hope Michigan takes care of business there. I think there are some definitie positives from the OSU game that you can build on over the next few weeks.
December 8th, 2013 at 12:33 PM ^
I suspect that Minny fans will show up to a NY Day bowl game in a place like FL. Keep plugging away and you'll wind up there.
December 8th, 2013 at 1:37 PM ^
I pull for the Gophers the most. You guys deserve a NYD game.
December 8th, 2013 at 2:08 PM ^
Do you guys even sell out your home stadium?
With all due respect, it seems like your fanbase is pretty apathetic in general.
December 8th, 2013 at 12:29 PM ^
The key is whether the BCS takes Oklahoma or Oregon. If they take Oregon, it bumps all the BIG12 teams down one, making it a pretty decent Michigan VS Texas game.
We should all be Duck fans today.
Cheers.
December 8th, 2013 at 10:39 AM ^
December 8th, 2013 at 12:52 PM ^
December 8th, 2013 at 10:42 AM ^
After this season, I'd be happy with the Gator bowl and a matchup with Georgia. Even without Murray, its a decent SEC team and would be a good building point for next season with a win. Plus something good to watch on New Years day.
December 8th, 2013 at 10:42 AM ^
Ugh.
December 8th, 2013 at 10:59 AM ^
December 8th, 2013 at 11:38 AM ^
December 8th, 2013 at 11:39 AM ^
December 8th, 2013 at 11:48 AM ^
December 8th, 2013 at 1:20 PM ^
December 8th, 2013 at 2:12 PM ^
We had chances to put that game away, but that was also one of the worst-officiated games I've ever seen. Stupid Sun Belt crew. Even Hebrstreit was mocking them as the game progressed.
December 8th, 2013 at 11:01 AM ^
You are aware that the bowl on December 28th has the higher priority selection than the one on New Year's Day, yes?
And that the Poulan Weed Eater Bowl was never a real thing?
December 8th, 2013 at 11:19 AM ^
Poulan Weed-Eater Independence Bowl was played in Shreveport, LA from 1990-1995;
linkDecember 8th, 2013 at 11:25 AM ^
That's the Independence Bowl. Do you call the Discover Orange Bowl the "Discover Bowl"?
December 8th, 2013 at 12:35 PM ^
December 8th, 2013 at 12:17 PM ^
we are middle of the pack at best now
December 8th, 2013 at 10:42 AM ^
Think we can take Georgia. Regardless, IF we beat Georgia it's a feather in the cap of this steaming pile of overflowing mediocrity of a season
December 8th, 2013 at 12:40 PM ^
Nobody thought we could compete with South Carolina last year. Until we did.
I'd love to see a Michigan - Georgia matchup. I would not care if it was in the Pizza Bowl. It would get everyone's blood moving . . .fans, players, coaches, media.
If we could win it, it would be a feather on our cap, er, feather on the wing of our helmet. Nobody remembers that we did not have our starting QB last year against an SEC team. Them not having theirs against us this year is a fair turnaround.
Bring on the Dogs.
December 8th, 2013 at 12:54 PM ^
There is more upside for Michigan and the Big Ten with a Michigan vs. Georgia matchup. This is a winnable matchup against an SEC opponent. If we want the reputation of the Big Ten to change, it has to start with wins against the SEC. I don't believe a win against KSU does much for the Big Ten.
The benefit of MSU winning is that the Big Ten gets a slate of Bowl games that they can win. MSU can and will beat Stanford. OSU can and will beat Clemson. Iowa vs. LSU would be tough, but a win by Michigan against Georgia would go a long way as well. Let Nebraska slug it out with Texas or KSU. Minnesota as the last selection would also be ideal. They have been playing well and could come up with the W as well.
A win by Michigan against Georgia would also be a plus in recruiting and would end this season on a positive note heading into the offseason. I would actually look forward to next year if they finish strong.
December 8th, 2013 at 10:44 AM ^
All things equal, Massey would predict Michigan to have 32% against Georgia and 39% against KSU, although the Georgia matchup may have a practical edge because of their injury situation. The predicted median score for the theoretical KSU matchup would be 34-31, so possibly a close and manageable game there as well. Either might prove interesting.
December 8th, 2013 at 11:22 AM ^
December 8th, 2013 at 12:17 PM ^
How do you figure?
December 8th, 2013 at 12:33 PM ^
December 8th, 2013 at 10:44 AM ^
Unfortunately, considering some close wins against some lousy teams (Akron, Uconn, NW)
we are "lucky" to be bowl eligible.
December 8th, 2013 at 10:51 AM ^
December 8th, 2013 at 11:02 AM ^
Please tell me what bowl games Akron, UConn and NW are playing in.
December 8th, 2013 at 11:52 AM ^
I think everyone can acknowledge that we played badly in those games (although NW really is a bowl-caliber team that had horrible luck). But we came close to beating four other teams, all bowl-bound. Are you going to wave your hand and pretend that didn't happen? I'm not going to argue that we deserve to be 11-1, but we don't deserve 4-8 either.
We might note as well that Akron and UConn came at the beginning of the season when Devin had his turnover problems. They wouldn't have been close if he'd taken care of the ball as well as he did in October/November.
December 8th, 2013 at 12:02 PM ^
December 8th, 2013 at 12:12 PM ^
We call this the gambler's fallacy. Gambler's tend to continue to gamble because they win 45% of the time and almost win 55% of the time.
December 8th, 2013 at 12:43 PM ^
December 8th, 2013 at 11:06 AM ^
You just forget to mention the close losses to PSU, Neb, Iowa, and OSU right. I'm sure thats it.
December 8th, 2013 at 12:23 PM ^
Agreed
December 8th, 2013 at 10:48 AM ^
December 8th, 2013 at 10:49 AM ^
Even with Georgia's injury issues, if Carlos Hyde can tear us apart, I fear for what Todd Gurley will do to our defense.
December 8th, 2013 at 11:26 AM ^
December 8th, 2013 at 12:42 PM ^
^^^
MSU took away Hyde, but Miller almost killed them.
December 8th, 2013 at 1:23 PM ^
December 8th, 2013 at 10:53 AM ^
Looking at the better big Ten teams from this year, I like our chances next year. MIchigan State and Ohio both lose a bunch of quality Sr starters, not to mention whatever Ohio jr's bolt for the NFL. I thik Ohio's offensive line was like 4 Sr starters. Outside of Lewan, Schofield, and Gallon, we return most of the production from this year, along with some good younger players.
December 8th, 2013 at 11:21 AM ^
Ohio St finds themselves in a very similar situation as Michigan, personnel wise. The relative performance between the two teams will be the truest matchup between staffs yet.
December 8th, 2013 at 12:07 PM ^
we have Brady Hoke! Also, football is a QB game and Connor Cook and Braxton will be back. Outlook for Michigan against them is not good.
December 8th, 2013 at 12:13 PM ^
If only we returned the QB who threw for 450 yards against tOSU. That would help.
/s
December 8th, 2013 at 12:24 PM ^
7-8 wins
Losses to ND,MSU,OSU + ??
Go Blue!