Michigan football team will face Mississippi State in Gator Bowl
Mississippi State players celebrate their 31-23 victory against Mississippi on Nov. 27 by displaying the "Golden Egg" trophy.
Associated Press
Mississippi State football coach Dan Mullen needs no advance scouting report on Denard Robinson.
He knows the Michigan quarterback all too well.
When Mullen was Florida’s offensive coordinator, he recruited the Deerfield Beach, Fla., native, who ultimately chose the Wolverines over Florida and Central Florida.
“I knew he was a special player there,” Mullen said Sunday night. “I got to watch him play live and in person, had him in my camp. I knew he was fast and explosive, and he certainly hasn’t taken a step backward.”
Mullen will get another close-up of Robinson’s speed and skill. Mississippi State and the Michigan football team will face each other in the Gator Bowl on Jan. 1 (1:30 p.m, ESPN2) in Jacksonville, Fla.
Robinson, the nation’s third-leading rusher, leads the Wolverines (7-5 overall, 3-5 Big Ten) against the No. 21 Bulldogs (8-4 overall, 4-4 SEC). It’s Michigan’s first bowl game in three years.
The matchup caught Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez off-guard.
“It’s a little bit of a surprise, because you hear everything during the week,” he told the Big Ten Network. “The SEC had so many quality teams that could have went to the Gator Bowl.”
Gator Bowl chairman Steve Tremel said his group was thrilled to host the first meeting between the two schools.
“It’s a significant economic impact for our city, knowing fans will travel,” he said. “Just by watching them all year, and understanding how many tickets they had already sold really made our decision very easy.”
Mississippi State received an allotment of 15,000 tickets for the game, which will be held at EverBank Stadium, and had already sold 16,000 by Sunday evening. Michigan received 12,500 tickets, but had not sold its allotment, according to Tremel.
This is the first matchup produced by a four-year agreement between the Big Ten, SEC and Gator Bowl.
With the Outback Bowl choosing Penn State and Florida ahead of the Gator Bowl, CEO Rick Catlett selected the Bulldogs ahead of Tennessee from the SEC side and the Wolverines ahead of Iowa on the Big Ten side.
Michigan leap-frogged Iowa, which had finished with a better Big Ten record (4-4) and defeated the Wolverines in Ann Arbor, 38-28, earlier this season.
But rules do not demand bowl officials follow the standings.
Rodriguez, who played in a Gator Bowl as a player at West Virginia, a 1982 loss to Florida State, was excited about the prospect of bringing his players to Jacksonville.
“It’s a terrific venue,” he said. “You know, our first thoughts go to the seniors. We’ll keep the family together for another month. And for underclassmen, the experience is invaluable.”
Mullen and Rodriguez are familiar with each other. When Mullen was at Florida and Rodriguez at West Virginia, the two coaching staffs often visited each other and shared insights on the spread offense.
“He’s a fantastic football coach, and an obvious innovator in college football,” Mullen said.
For Mississippi State, the experience is one the school has waited for since January of 1941 - that’s the last time the Bulldogs played in a Florida-based bowl.
“When you live in the south and you’re part of the SEC, a New Year’s Bowl game in Florida is a pretty cool deal,” Mississippi State athletic director Scott Stricklin said.
Pete Bigelow covers the Michigan football team for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at (734) 623-2551, via email at petebigelow@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @PeterCBigelow.
Comments
Joe
Tue, Dec 7, 2010 : 9:17 p.m.
Latest report is that UM is giving, or has given back 450 to 500 of the 12,500 tickets given to them. Makes a UM fan want to go hmmmmmmmmm. Miss St has sold over 16,000. They are saying the game is a sellout.
Joe
Tue, Dec 7, 2010 : 5:45 p.m.
Mike - Thanks very much for the info. I have a room at the Holiday Inn on Baymeadows. It is going to be one wild time listening to 15 or so thousand cowbells ringing at the same time! LOL Thanks again for the info and good luck to the dawgs as well.
superbuck
Tue, Dec 7, 2010 : 10:09 a.m.
We can also see how you back your team Mississippi sold out their allottment of tickets. michigan still had almost all of theirs still for sale. if they are winning your behind them if their losing you abandon them. As a fan base you don't deserve a god football program any longer. I don't think there was 1000 mich fans at the BUCKEYE game. You only had to travel 120 miles for that one. 1100 miles to fla for a butt whooppin is really going to suck.
superbuck
Tue, Dec 7, 2010 : 9:58 a.m.
Mississippi will more than likely give you a very bad beat down. Then will try to hire their coach.
lumberg48108
Tue, Dec 7, 2010 : 9:16 a.m.
Its a great landing for a poor season - a New Years Day Bowl in Florida against an SEC team - and a bowl with some history too... but the subheadline says so much more - "Rich Rodriguez takes the Wolverines to a bowl game for the first time (in three seasons) That statement alone is enought evidence to fire any coach who takes a consistently good-to-great program and turns them into Indiana; where a bowl, any bowl, is considered a successfull season
cubbiesfanatic7142
Tue, Dec 7, 2010 : 3:16 a.m.
Favorable matchup? That's hard to read. Let's look at some facts. Mississippi State has lost 4 games this year to the #1,8,11, and 16 teams in the BCS. While they did lose badly against LSU and Alabama, it is tough to go on the road in the best conference in college football, especially to Baton Rouge and Tuscaloosa. They were one dropped pass at the end of the game from beating Auburn(#1) and took Arkansas(#8) to 2 OT. While Michigan has also only lost to high ranked solid opponents(except a weak Penn State), there is a big difference in the teams that blew you out(Ohio State) and the teams that blew MSU out. This can be shown by the fact that Ohio State has not beat an SEC team since '88, going 0-8 in that stretch. Michigan has also been blown out in all of their losses, while MSU took 2 top 10 teams to the wire. MSU does not have a strong passing game, but that is because we don't have to. We are a hardnosed, run it straight through you team that wins ugly by grinding it out on the ground. Going 8-4 and.500 in conference in the toughest conference in college football and being called a favorable matchup against a team that tackles so poorly and relies on one player is a bit of a slap in the face. But....can certainly understand that this may not be as "sexy" a match up as some other SEC teams you could have played. But on the other hand, Michigan is a much more favorable matchup for State than the team that deserved to be there, Iowa. Better teach your boys to tackle or you're going to get real tired of watching Vick Ballard,#28, truck through you into the endzone. But good luck! :)
mike
Mon, Dec 6, 2010 : 11:49 p.m.
hey Joe, i live in Jacksonville and have for almost 14 years. Stay on the southside of town around the Baymeadows or Southpoint areas those are very safe areas and have easy access to I95 that will take you uptown to the event. Stay away from the West side or the north. If you are flying in there are a lot of good safe hotels around the airport, but my first choice would be Baymeadows area or Southpoint i also have to say that I'm from Mississippi and will be at the game ringing my cowbell, Go Dawgs! Hope your stay in Jax is good. Good Luck to Michigan!
Joe
Mon, Dec 6, 2010 : 8:20 p.m.
Got my ticket for the game today. Does anyone know anything about Jacksonville and can steer me towards a hotel not in a bad area of town?
H.
Mon, Dec 6, 2010 : 5:58 p.m.
P U MSU - What sense does that stat make? Bo was 5-12 in bowl games. Two of those wins was the Bluebonnet and Hall of Fame Bowls. Teams change every year. And in case you haven't gotten the memo, your defense stinks. U-Mass (1-AA) was laughing. Your offense starts scoring after the other team heads for the locker room, making many games closer than they really were. Sparty may not win, but they have a chance. Michigan has zero chance of beating a quality SEC team like Mississippi State. They are not Illinois, Purdue (in the rain), or Indiana.
Nick
Mon, Dec 6, 2010 : 4:15 p.m.
who is Rick Catlett
Chad Williams
Mon, Dec 6, 2010 : 12:57 p.m.
Although not the sexy matchup i was hoping for, still a game that Michigan will be an underdog. Then again Miss. St isnt going to give RR or Michigan that signature win over the last 3 years. Haven't seen much of their team this year. By the looks of the sec west i dnt think their push overs. Stats dont matter come bowl season because a month of practice and preperation. These wont be the same two teams we have seen all season and hopefully we are the team that looks better. Get healthier and more reps for the team in general cause we are very young all around. Im looking for a similar type effort they came with against uconn. They played very inspired from start to finish. Let the past be the past and lets just wait 25 days to see whats gonna happen.
P U MSU
Mon, Dec 6, 2010 : 11:32 a.m.
Michigan is 23-5-1 against the SEC and 7-3 in bowl games. (Numbers may be off by one or two). I not sure where you get off saying Michigan will be embarrassed against the SEC. The OSU 0-9 verse the SEC in bowl games.
maizenbluedoc
Mon, Dec 6, 2010 : 11:03 a.m.
One sure way to entice recruits is to play a good game with huge stats. If they do,this will probably help with the Florida recruiting. I just hope they don't get humiliated by a SEC team.
Joseph
Mon, Dec 6, 2010 : 9:56 a.m.
"michigan gets to lose to MSU twice in one season!" okay, I have to admit, that was funny.
chiro19
Mon, Dec 6, 2010 : 9:32 a.m.
I said the same thing before the penn state game during the buy week. Michigan and RR had a great chance to get a little healthier and create a game plan to play better D and grow a bit. What happened? They actually got worse through the buy week. I will say this is a chance for RR and GR to show they have some type of coaching ability. The question is, is 4 weeks enough to improve significantly the D fundamentals like gap control, tackling, coverage, penalties, eliminating 2nd and 3rd level bubbles, understanding that in zone you dont cover grass you pick guys up when they enter the zone you are suppose to cover, etc., special teams and get Denard healthy? I can only assume the same that has happened in the past will happen again! Hopefully the team plays well offensively because I expect atleast 40 on the scoreboard for Miss. Sate. I would expect this D to look decent for about 2 or 3 series and then look lost after adjustments by miss. state are made, just like every other game in the last 3 years that michigan has played against a solid team!
Joseph
Mon, Dec 6, 2010 : 9:30 a.m.
Dear R-Rod, enjoy another benefit of the legacy of Michigan football. Your mediocre coached team is playing on New Year's Day. I bet you feel a little sheepish spurning our traditions from day one, don't you? Enjoy the game as it will be your last at Michigan. Here are three words to help with your bowl game preparations: 1. Defense 2. Defense 3. Defense Try putting in 48 more cents into our defense. You will be amazed when you start acting like a head coach (not an OC) how the team can play and how the entire team can respond. Also, you might consider chewing up the clock a bit on offense. Perhaps some sustained drives that yield 3 to 4 first downs. Reduce your opponents possessions by 2 per half can do nothing but help our defense. Remember, not every offensive play has to be geared towards the end zone. Shorten the game, will shorten our defensive liability from being on the field. It's too bad that you never understood that a real head coach devises schemes that utilizes its strengths to manage around weaknesses. So once the game starts you will probably fall back into your had habits and mess it all up by trying to out gun-sling your opponent. Now as far as the tear-fest, Cyndi Lauper sing-along you may throw after the game, that is up to you. Just take off the Block M gear first.
packman
Mon, Dec 6, 2010 : 9:21 a.m.
@Sallyxyz and A2lover: Get off your pretentious high horses regarding RR's grammar! Looking down your noses at other's mistakes is rude. RR grew up as a coal miner's son in WVA and that's the way many of the hard working blue collar folks in Appalachia speak. You may not think much of his coaching, but please limit your comments to his abilities as a football coach. Thanks from another coal miner's son.
timeatwork
Mon, Dec 6, 2010 : 9:17 a.m.
michigan gets to lose to MSU twice in one season!
Sallyxyz
Mon, Dec 6, 2010 : 9:11 a.m.
"Hes a fantastic football coach, and an obvious innovator in college football, Mullen said. I wonder how much RR paid Mullen to say this....
Fan
Mon, Dec 6, 2010 : 8:52 a.m.
Congratulations RichRod, Denard and the entire Michigan Team; this is a significant accomplishment! I am just a Fan who will not take likely the opportunity to watch the Wolverines play (in the process of buying my tickets) on News Years Day, 2011! This will be no walk in the park. It is clear that Michigan must exceed its average scoring of 34.3 points per game and the DEFENSE must continue to shock the world with its more recent Scrooge like performance. A real test for OUR will to win! I will be in the stands along with all the other wild FANS while millions of other FANS from around the world watching on TV! "Just Do It!" Thanks!
MjC
Mon, Dec 6, 2010 : 8:40 a.m.
A suprisingly great match-up! And how great to play where the sun will be shining (hopefully)... Go Blue!
MikeB
Mon, Dec 6, 2010 : 8:40 a.m.
This is not a slam dunk for Michigan. I suspect that Mississippi State is already putting in some pass plays to take advantage of the UM Secondary. I think UM can do well against their rush but if they move to a little more diverse offense we could have a hard time. The weather likely suits the UM offense, the field is grass so a bit slower but still we should do OK. After an entire season and 15 more practices, the UM team and fans will have to start tempering their use of "the inexperience card" A win is important and we get a chance to start the next season early playing against a good, but not great team, one similar to a good Big 10 team. Hopeful - UM continues drives, the passing game works and the Mississippi State offense and its potentially erratic QB struggles with the passing game Oh Oh - Mississippi State has a passing game to complement its run game and the turnovers for UM continue
H.
Mon, Dec 6, 2010 : 8:29 a.m.
LOL...That is all you got Spartyisyourlittlesister? So what if we lose. We were 11-1. What was your team? MSU has owned your team the last 3 years, and your 'rival' has owned you the last decade. And your team lost to a 1-AA team. Ouch! And you know that kills you! And even during the Bo days, your team couldn't win a big bowl game when it counted most. May you guys get stuck with RR for another 10 years. You know it is bad when every Big 10 team not named Indiana wants a contract extension for RR. Becuase your defense 'lifts them up' and inspires them to march down the field!!!
spartyisyourlilsister
Mon, Dec 6, 2010 : 8:24 a.m.
Hey H, I will enjoy watching Saban destroy the Spartys in their BCS...oops non-BCS bowl! Hilarious that sparty is so irrelevant that 11 wins cannot get them into a BCS bowl! Classic!!
81wolverine
Mon, Dec 6, 2010 : 8:14 a.m.
This is a good matchup and one Michigan has a chance of winning. It all depends one whether Michigan's offense will be able to finish drives or not. That's been a big factor in most of our losses this year. Our defense just needs to slow down MSU's offense enough so Michigan outscores them. See y'all in Jacksonville!
ssAA
Mon, Dec 6, 2010 : 8:12 a.m.
Yes, outscoring your opponent is the best way to win a football game.
5c0++ H4d13y
Mon, Dec 6, 2010 : 7:59 a.m.
The "Also Ran" bowl!
Jim Pryce
Mon, Dec 6, 2010 : 7:30 a.m.
Michigan will have to outscore Mississippi State to win, possibly the way they beat Illinois.
A2lover
Mon, Dec 6, 2010 : 7:26 a.m.
"Hes a fantastic football coach, and an obvious innovator in college football, Mullen said. Where's Mullen been, under a rock? Rich Rod - The SEC had so many quality teams that could have went to the Gator Bowl. Along with his poor coaching abilities, grammatical correctness seems to evade Rich Rod,
NoBowl4Blue
Mon, Dec 6, 2010 : 7:15 a.m.
This is actually a winnable game for crybaby and who knows may say his job. I wonder if there is any truth behind the rumors that MSU and OSU lobbied hard for this match up so crybaby will stay?
Sallyxyz
Mon, Dec 6, 2010 : 6:16 a.m.
STANFORD, Calif.Stanford athletic director Bob Bowlsby has made a pre-emptive offer to sweeten Jim Harbaugh's contract before the coach even gets offered other jobs. "We have a proposal in front of Jim and he's indicated he plans to accept it," Bowlsby said Sunday. "He's got this year and four more on his contract. I expect that he will be our coach in the foreseeable future." I'll be interested to hear what others on this forum think about this. Did Brandon blow this by waiting?
3 And Out
Mon, Dec 6, 2010 : 6:13 a.m.
BlueGator... RR still has not been given an approval from DB. The Stanford contract offer to Harbaugh is irrelvant to RR's Status. His namby pamby approach will bite him in the butt. Right now, Miss State has the edge.
BlueGator
Mon, Dec 6, 2010 : 5:59 a.m.
With the Stanford AD's announcement re Harbaugh, I hope RR can settle down now and concentrate on getting the team ready for Mississippi State. The Bulldogs are #91 in passing offense; maybe our DBs can cheat up a little closer to the line. If we can only have a good tackling day, we have a good chance at a W.
Sallyxyz
Mon, Dec 6, 2010 : 5:39 a.m.
I wish the team well on New Year's Day, but RR needs to be able to put a sentence together using correct English when he is quoted on national TV: RR told the Big Ten Network. The SEC had so many quality teams that could have went to the Gator Bowl. Could have "went" to the Gator Bowl?
rensational
Mon, Dec 6, 2010 : 1:33 a.m.
Welcome, blueincolumbus. Growing up and living 5 minutes away from the state of Mississippi, having family there and even having a relative attending MS. State, I have watched most of their games this season. I don't see how anyone can say this isn't an interesting matchup. State will move the ball because our D will allow it, and State has good defense. But I can't really see where they have faced a team this season that is offensively like Michigan, except maybe Auburn with Cam Newton...and they lost that game, and this was back when Auburn wasn't even as good as they are now. Florida is not the same this season as last/with Tebow, so I wouldn't be saying this is tough for Michigan because of that. Of course Alabama is better than Michigan, as well as State, but they are also better than Michigan State (I think that Capital One Bowl is going to be one of the Big Ten's annual, nothing-you-can-do-about-it losses, though MSU will try hard, no doubt). Either team can win this game, which is why I most wanted Michigan in this bowl game--I thought it would be the most winnable for Michigan vs the Insight or Outback Bowl. Key for Michigan is bringing that offense and being ready to score on almost every possession. If they come with that garbage they brought against Wisconsin, MSU, Penn State and Ohio State, THEN we can forget it. Until then...very excited. I think having basically a month of practice and such, kind of like before playing Conn--sickeningly a BCS bowl team--there is no excuse for Michigan not to play well offensively, so I expect it.
BlueInBama
Mon, Dec 6, 2010 : 12:18 a.m.
YES! I can't wait to hang out with Theo, Terry Starr, Willierine, and the rest of the crew at Tater's Floridian Estate!
The Fan
Mon, Dec 6, 2010 : 12:01 a.m.
Well said Sparty. Hey H, does it feel like you got kicked in the balls? Lol
spartyisyourlilsister
Sun, Dec 5, 2010 : 11:17 p.m.
Hey H, I will enjoy watching Saban destroy the Spartys in their BCS...oops non-BCS bowl! Hilarious that sparty is so irrelevant that 11 wins cannot get them into a BCS bowl! Classic!!
iamcris
Sun, Dec 5, 2010 : 11:07 p.m.
Sylvester Croom laid the foundation for this team, had an opportunity and coached 5 years with a record of 21-38. Had one winning season and a bowl game. A total class act of a man and a good coach as well in a brutal conference. That being said, congratulations to Michigan on obtaining a New Years Day Bowl game, this is exciting for the program a great reward for the seniors efforts and one the fans can get excited about. Go Blue! This is a very intriguing match up and I for one am excited about how the game will play out. Congratulations to the team and coaching staff on going to the Gator Bowl.
aareader
Sun, Dec 5, 2010 : 10:40 p.m.
So we get to another MSU. Good. Maybe we can get a MSU win to offset a MSU loss :+] GO BLUE!
GettingBluer
Sun, Dec 5, 2010 : 9:34 p.m.
Not a match-up that excites me, but good luck to the team.
H.
Sun, Dec 5, 2010 : 9:26 p.m.
Enjoy the rear end kicking. The other MSU wants seconds.
riverraisin
Sun, Dec 5, 2010 : 9:14 p.m.
GoblueinNE_PA I support your 'support the team' comments. Couldn't have said it better myself.
kevin
Sun, Dec 5, 2010 : 8:29 p.m.
True Blue Gator.... I only watched the first half of the game... neither team was marching down the field. My only point is that they are better than some random 6th place SEC team. Michigan has a chance, but they better dump the 3-3-5 defense. My guess is that Mississippi State will be favored by 7 - but no matter what the game should be close.
tulsatom
Sun, Dec 5, 2010 : 8:25 p.m.
Miss State is a very good team and only lost by 3 pts to #1 Auburn, so it will definietly be a tough matchup for U-M. It will be nice to see U-M play on New Year's Day, and I hope U-M can pull the upset.
BlueGator
Sun, Dec 5, 2010 : 8:21 p.m.
@Kevin, Don't disagree with you overall assessment of Mississippi State, but I wouldn't call their 10-7 W over Florida a beating. In that game, Florida outgained MSU by more than 100 yards, and MSU had only 33 yards passing.
Richard
Sun, Dec 5, 2010 : 8:09 p.m.
I am very happy the Wolverines will be on National TV New Year's Day, so it's great way for the seniors to be rewarded. They will be meeting a Missisipi State team that Go Blue!
EightySeven
Sun, Dec 5, 2010 : 8:07 p.m.
Without a Defense of any such kind this will not be a victory for UM. This will play out like the other big games this year spot the other team a couple TD's. Then the offense gets in gear but in the end the D can't make the big stops.
kevin
Sun, Dec 5, 2010 : 8:03 p.m.
Just to clarify - Mississippi State lost close games to Arkansas and Auburn - they lost rather handily to LSU and Alabama - but both of those games were away - and were closer than the score indicated. They were nothing like the Ohio State and Wisconsin games.... and LSU and Alabama are much better than Ohio State and Wisconsin. They also beat the pants off of Florida in Florida.
Kubrick66
Sun, Dec 5, 2010 : 7:54 p.m.
Not a good matchup for Michigan. Time for the team to step up, play to their potential and start the New Year with a win. Go Blue!
Joe
Sun, Dec 5, 2010 : 7:53 p.m.
It's already on the Gator Bowl website. GoBlue...very well stated and I am right there with you down here in Alabama!!
The Boss
Sun, Dec 5, 2010 : 7:50 p.m.
Brian VanOchten eat your heart out. UM playing on Jan 1. I bet this really doesn't sit well with you. And to think it only took MSU to win 11 games to get to a new years day bowl.
GoblueinNE_PA
Sun, Dec 5, 2010 : 7:48 p.m.
Sally Michigan travels better than Iowa and frankly, we're a sexier draw than they are. Other than the Rose Bowl, I don't believe any of the other Big 10 bowls are locked into picking teams based upon their finishing position. This has happened before and doubless will happen again. We've not always benefited from this. This could be an interesting game though. As for the "support the team" remarks, I can't speak for the others, but I will and always have supported the team and the players. I'll be rooting for them and have my flag proudly displayed in the heart of PSU country. However, I have not and never will support this guy whose currently (temporarily) in the Head Coach's office. These are not mutually exclusive feelings.
kevin
Sun, Dec 5, 2010 : 7:37 p.m.
Mississippi State will run through Michigan. Mississippi State plays hard nosed football on both sides of the ball. Who knows Michigan may be playing against their next coach! I will say this - Michigan is very lucky... if Mississippi state had beaten Arkansas (instead of losing in OT) Michigan would likely be plying Arkansas. Now just imagine Ryan Mallet playing against Michigan's defense.
blueincolumbus
Sun, Dec 5, 2010 : 7:28 p.m.
New guy here, live in columbus but everything Michigan is what I'm all about. This game is going to be tough, with an SEC team offense used to playing against Alabama and Florida. This is going to be impressive for U of M if they can pull it out, or ugly if Mississippi State gets rolling.
Sallyxyz
Sun, Dec 5, 2010 : 7:27 p.m.
I wonder how Michigan managed to leap-frog past Iowa who had a better record in the BT and who BEAT MI.....
umgoblue47
Sun, Dec 5, 2010 : 7:24 p.m.
agree with you michfan... support the team, the team, the team... GO BLUE...
heartbreakM
Sun, Dec 5, 2010 : 7:23 p.m.
Well, can't say that Mississippi State is too exciting of a matchup. Yawn. But Freep reports that the coach, Mullen, has performed a big turnaround in his second year as coach. Good to know that the prior coach probably got fired for no good reason, as he must not have left the cupboard "bare". I mean, we could not expect a coach to turn around a program in any less than 5 years as he institutes a new system or anything. Interesting juxtaposition to me.
Sallyxyz
Sun, Dec 5, 2010 : 7:23 p.m.
What are the odds that MI will win?
Theo's Brother
Sun, Dec 5, 2010 : 7:19 p.m.
#88 in the picture is one of my good friends. I'm somewhat torn but I love my Wolverines. GO BLUE!
orlandomichfan
Sun, Dec 5, 2010 : 7:19 p.m.
yes, michigan coming to florida and denard getting to play in his home state, this should be a good game with lots of michigan fans in attendance and with michigan coming out on top, this may disappoint the rr haters, but can we at least just focus on the kids and the team pulling out the win on new years day instead of all the negative crap..come on, i know ya'll can do it... let all the other chips fall where they may after the game..go blue, back on new years day where we are used to them being..
azwolverine
Sun, Dec 5, 2010 : 7:17 p.m.
Not sure we 'earned' this one, but it's a far better mathchup for UM than any team we would have played in the Insight Bowl, especially with Nebraska apparently heading there. Yikes! This will be a winnable game, with Miss St being blown out by both LSU and Alabama akin to Michigan's losses to Wisconsin and OSU. They also struggled to beat some lower echelon teams such as UAB and Mississippi (UMass and Indiana, anyone?). Their coach, though (Dan Mullen), is doing a pretty good job in only his second year as a head coach (anywhere!) in a tough conference at a program that is normally bottom-of-the-pack. Should be interesting.
The OSU
Sun, Dec 5, 2010 : 6:46 p.m.
Too bad the Pizza Bowl thing just didn't work out. 1) Dominos versus Little Caesars - the ultimate matchup. 2) AA fans could be home by evening, possibly with a free pizza coupon. 3) RR likes to play MAC teams.
marineblue
Sun, Dec 5, 2010 : 6:33 p.m.
what are you talking about? you don't know me. i have been following this football team for 32 years, my father also had 2 cousins play for bo and i also worked w/ dennis richardson who played for bo. this is what happens when you transition from one system to another. this is what happens when you have attrition and NO rs seniors, seniors and rs juniors worth their salt to contribute. none of this makes any michigan fan happy but the "casual fan" only makes this situation worse. constantly whining and complaining, while these kids and staff are working their tails off is truly disgusting. nobody likes "bandwagon" fans and this site has more than enough to lead me to my statements above. this team will win, when they have maturity, depth, and talent at most all positions. they have only done what is to be expected from such a young group. this throwing around, i have been a michigan fan for blanks years is one of the biggest problems of this fan base. so what??? who cares?? the program is in a transition for the future because obviously the past gets you NOTHING.
Theo's Brother
Sun, Dec 5, 2010 : 6:20 p.m.
This is my dream matchup! I live here in MS going to college and I have many friends at Miss. State and on the team. I've gone to a couple games, wore maroon and rang their cowbell (please forgive me guys!). But I have told them for the longest time, if you all play Michigan, we're not friends that day! Can't wait to go to that game! GO BLUE!
Solar Blue
Sun, Dec 5, 2010 : 6:17 p.m.
marineblue....not sure where you are coming from? We may sound "whiny", but long time Michigan fans are accustomed to winning with class (and not creating NCAA violations). Oh yeah, and not continually blaming a lack of talent, youth, or what have you on a losing Big 10 record. A New Year's Bowl Game, though not official yet has always been a possibility (the Gator Bowl has been mentioned). This is more of a function of Michigan "travelling well", especially to Florida than RR and the team earning that date. Let's face it, 3-5 in the Big 10, 7-5 overall is not necessarily a great record. That said, this is nice opportunity for "the team" to go out and play hard and win one for MICHIGAN. After all, it is about the team.
golfer
Sun, Dec 5, 2010 : 5:58 p.m.
got 15 days to improve defense. rr is now on the clock.
BlueGator
Sun, Dec 5, 2010 : 5:53 p.m.
If the rumor is true, a favorable match-up for U-M. Should be an interesting game.