Michigan Football’s turn in bowl season is finally upon us as the Wolverines (10-2, 7-2) travel to Florida to take on the Florida State Seminoles (9-3, 5-3) in the Capital One Orange Bowl.
The Wolverines had College Football Playoff aspirations heading into this season, but fell just a bit short. Still, this will be a fantastic opportunity to send out one of the more talented teams in recent program history out on a high note before a national audience.
The Seminoles are led by running back Dalvin Cook, who is one of the best all-around players in the country. The matchup of the night arguably comes between he and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Jabrill Peppers in a showdown of likely high first round NFL Draft picks colliding.
Michigan is a touchdown favorite in this contest and they certainly have the advantage in a lot of areas, but Florida State is a talented, well-coached team that will be looking to use this game as a springboard into 2017 after what some around Tallahassee would consider a down year.
Expect a tight contest throughout, but with the Michigan Wolverines ultimately walking out with a 28-24 victory to notch win No. 11 in Jim Harbaugh’s second season in Ann Arbor.
Game Info
Teams: No. 6 Michigan Wolverines (10-2, 7-2 B1G) vs. No. 11 Florida State Seminoles (9-3, 5-3 ACC)
Date: December 30th, 2016
Location: Capital One Orange Bowl - Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
Television: ESPN/WatchESPN
Radio: Michigan/IMG Sports Network (for a list of affiliates, click here)
Spread: Michigan -7, O/U 52
Fun Facts
- Steve Levy, Brian Griese and Todd McShay will be on the television call.
- The all-time series between the Wolverines and Seminoles is tied at 1-1 with both games having been played at Michigan Stadium in 1986 and 1991.
- Michigan won the 1986 game 20-18 and lost the 1991 game 51-31.
- The Wolverines are 2-1 against the ACC in bowl games with the last victory coming over Virginia Tech in the 2012 Sugar Bowl.
- Michigan is 29-9 all-time against teams currently in the ACC.
- A 150-plus yard passing day will give Wilton Speight one of the top-ten passing yardage seasons in program history. He could also move into the top-ten in completions in a single year with 20 or more.