Michigan football bowl projections: Three opponents, one destination

The Michigan Wolverines head into the last four weeks of the regular season with all of their goals still in front of them as it pertains to the postseason. They will likely have to win out to punch a College Football Playoff ticket, but that will sort itself out on the field.

Assuming Michigan goes 9-3, which is what seems to be the trending projection, all of our bowl experts this week have the Wolverines heading to Orlando to play in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl for the first time since the conclusion of the 2019 season. Three different SEC opponents are currently trending as the opponents.

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 Kyle Bonagura: Cheez-It Citrus Bowl vs. Vanderbilt (Dec. 31)

ESPN 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.

ESPN’s Mark Schlabach: Cheez-It Citrus Bowl vs. Texas (Dec. 31)

Mark another bowl insider and the other half of 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.

CBS Sports: Cheez-It Citrus Bowl vs. Texas (Dec. 31)

Are we starting to notice a trend here? Make it three projections for Michigan and Texas in this week’s bowl projections roundup.

Athlon Sports’ Steven Lassan: Cheez-It Citrus Bowl vs. Texas (Dec. 31)

A fourth Michigan-Texas projection makes its way onto the list this week. Camping World Stadium in Orlando would love to have these two fan bases.

Sports Illustrated’s Bryan Fischer: Cheez-It Citrus Bowl vs. Vanderbilt (Dec. 31)

Another Citrus Bowl projection, and another projection for the Wolverines and Commodores.

College Football News: Cheez-It Citrus Bowl vs. Vanderbilt (Dec. 31)

The College Football News projection triples down on the Vanderbilt matchup, sending the two programs down to Orlando to face each other for the first time in two decades.

Pro Football Network: Cheez-It Citrus Bowl vs. Tennessee (Dec. 31)

We close out this week with one final Citrus Bowl projection. The Vols have a 1-0 series lead against Michigan all-time, blowing out the Wolverines 45-17 on Jan. 1, 2001, in Orlando.