GBMWolverine
Fansided

Michigan Football: Wolverines bowl projections after Week 8

By Chris Peterson

Sep 25, 2021; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh on the sideline against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights first half at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2021; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh on the sideline against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights first half at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Following another win in Week 8 for Michigan football, which is now 7-0, here are the latest bowl projections. 

It’s been a dream start for the Michigan football team in 2021. The Wolverines are 7-0 going into their showdown with Michigan State on Saturday for what will be a top-10 showdown.

The Spartans and Wolverines haven’t been ranked this high going into a game since 1961 and College Gameday will be making the trip along with Big Noon Kickoff.

Both teams are 7-0 and undefeated in the Big Ten East, which has them each tied with Ohio State. And of course, the Paul Bunyan Trophy is all the incentive that’s needed but there are major implications in this matchup too.

While winning the Big Ten is the goal for both teams, the winner is going to be nearly guaranteed a New Year’s Six Bowl game unless they totally collapse down the stretch.

If either one of these teams can beat Penn State, on top of each other, as well as the rest outside of Ohio State, they could finish 11-1 and that could be enough for a Rose Bowl berth.

Michigan football hasn’t played in that game since 2006 and it would mean a lot. Michigan State has been there more recently but hasn’t played in a NY6 bowl since 2015.

The loser of this game is likely headed for the Outback or Citrus, which would still be a good season for Michigan football after going 2-4, even if somewhat disappointing.

So far, most prognosticators have Michigan football in a New Year’s Six bowl, and here are the projections.

CBS Sports: Michigan vs Kentucky (Fiesta)

Sporting News: Michigan vs Texas A&M (Fiesta)

College Football News: Michigan vs Oregon (Rose)

Athlon Sports: Michigan vs Pitt (Peach)

ESPN: College Football Playoff (One analyst) vs Georgia

Breaking down Michigan’s bowl projections

The Wolverines are basically a consensus pick for a major bowl game right now but that’s not something that will matter if they don’t win Saturday.

A 10-2 season would likely get this team to the Peach or Fiesta Bowl because of name brand and the matchups. We could easily have Notre Dame and Michigan — ranked in the top 10-12 — playing in the Fiesta Bowl.

That’s certainly an attractive matchup and there could be plenty of others. Harbaugh and the Wolverines draw eyeballs so if they get to 10 wins, my bet is a New Year’s Six Bowl.

Next. 3 reasons Wolverines will beat Michigan State. dark

Saturday’s game will have a big impact on where Michigan ends up and we can have a more realistic idea of where it will end up after the Michigan State game.

Home/Michigan Football