Michigan football bowl projections: One trending SEC matchup gaining steam
The Michigan Wolverines head into a bye week at 7-2 and are hoping to win out for a chance to make the College Football Playoff. Right now, it may not be the most likely outcome, unless fans are banking on yet another win over Ohio State.
That is what is on the table for the Wolverines. If they can beat Northwestern and Maryland on the road and take down the Buckeyes for a fifth-straight season, a 10-2 record should get them into the CFP, and potentially the Big Ten Championship game. If it is unable to reach that mark, a bowl trip to Orlando to take on an SEC opponent, most likely Texas, seems like the trending matchup.
Texas has new life after a win over Vanderbilt this weekend, but it still has games vs. top-5 teams left against Georgia and Texas A&M, so it may be fighting a tougher battle. Regardless, the majority of bowl projections this week point to U-M and the Longhorns.
Here is a roundup of where Michigan is projected to land during bowl season.
On3’s Brett McMurphy: Cheez-It Citrus Bowl vs. Texas (Dec. 31)
Our national colleague has Michigan in Orlando in a rematch with Texas. The Wolverines and Longhorns last met in Week 2 of last season in Ann Arbor, a 31-12 Texas victory. U-M and the Longhorns are currently set to meet again in 2027 as part of the home-and-home series that kicked off last year.
ESPN’s Mark Schlabach and Kyle Bonagura: Cheez-It Citrus Bowl vs. Texas (Dec. 31)
Mark another pair of bowl insiders and ESPN’s contingent down for a Michigan vs. Texas rematch. A game between quarterbacks Bryce Underwood and Arch Manning would be sure to draw some eyeballs.
Top 10
- 1Hot
Elite recruit visit
Sherrone Moore visiting a top in-state target
- 2Trending
Flip targets
Who the U-M staff is working on
- 3New
Frontcourt shines
U-M flexes star power down low in opener
- 4
Postgame pod
Sayfie on win over Oakland
- 5
Impressive opener
Balas weighs in on hoops
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CBS Sports: Cheez-It Citrus Bowl vs. Tennessee (Dec. 31)
CBS Sports has been a constant in predicting a Citrus Bowl matchup, this time against Tennessee. The Vols have a 1-0 series lead against Michigan all-time, blowing out the Wolverines 45-17 on Jan. 1, 2001, in Orlando.
The Athletic: Cheez-It Citrus Bowl vs. Texas (Dec. 31)
It seems like most of the national media is in tune with what the Citrus Bowl committee would take as its bowl matchup if the season ended today. Two name brands in the sport is of great interest if both are out of the College Football Playoff picture, though Texas has some life after beating Vanderbilt over the weekend.
College Football News: Cheez-It Citrus Bowl vs. Vanderbilt (Dec. 31)
CFN has the Wolverines up against the Vanderbilt Commodores, who are currently ranked inside the top 10. Michigan and Vandy have met 11 times on the gridiron, with the Wolverines holding a 10-0-1 all-time record. The last time they met was a 27-7 U-M win in Ann Arbor in 2006.
Athlon Sports: Cheez-It Citrus Bowl vs. Texas (Dec. 31)
Make it four predictions for Michigan vs. Texas in this week’s roundup. It makes sense for all of the reasons already listed.
Sports Illustrated: Cheez-It Citrus Bowl vs. Texas (Dec. 31)
This one makes for a season-high five predictions for Michigan vs. Texas to close out both of the programs’ seasons.