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The Michigan Wolverines have two regular season games left and a shot at 10 wins after moving to 8-2 following a 44-10 victory over rival Michigan State. With Indiana and Ohio State up next on the schedule, they at the very least have two more shots to get themselves to nine wins, which may make this a salvageable season after all given how things started.
Given that the most likely scenario to finish out this season is 9-3 with a loss to Ohio State, the bowl picture is beginning to come into focus as opposed to people predicting the postseason destinations before the midway point of the season.
Here’s where national outlets have the Wolverines going after Saturday’s games.
Bleacher Report: Gator Bowl vs. Tennessee (Jan. 2, Jacksonville, FL)
247Sports: Gator Bowl vs. Tennessee (Jan. 2, Jacksonville, FL)
CBS Sports: Gator Bowl vs. Missouri (Jan. 2, Jacksonville, FL)
Sporting News: Outback Bowl vs. Auburn (Jan. 1, Tampa, FL)
Banner Society: Holiday Bowl vs. USC (Dec. 27, San Diego, CA)
ESPN’s Kyle Bonagura: Holiday Bowl vs. Washington (Dec. 27, San Diego, CA)
ESPN’s Mark Schlabach: Holiday Bowl vs. Washington (Dec. 27, San Diego, CA)
College Football News: Holiday Bowl vs. USC (Dec. 27, San Diego, CA)
There have been a lot of people out there wondering if the Rose Bowl or New Years Six are in play for the Wolverines. It very well could be if they win out and beat Ohio State, but that still appears to be a tall task against one of the better Buckeye teams they have seen yet. Plus, Indiana is far from a slouch and to just assume victory there would be overlooking a quality opponent.
A potential Rose Bowl berth would be predicated on beating Ohio State, but then the Buckeyes still win the Big Ten and are selected for the College Football Playoff. From there, you would have to cross your fingers that the powers that be would take Michigan over the West champ (presumably Minnesota) and Penn State. The above options feel more likely, as well as the Holiday Bowl vs. the Pac-12, which has also been named a possibility.
We will update this piece as more predictions roll in throughout the day.