Bowl Projection Roundup: Michigan Football’s bowl season outlook entering OSU game

The Michigan Wolverines put together their best performance of the season, taking down the Maryland Terrapins on the road, 45-20.  Sitting at No. 15 in AP Poll, Michigan put itself in perfect position to make the postseason with a win over Ohio State this Saturday. But a loss would push the Wolverines out of College Football Playoff contention and into the bowl conversation.

In the event Michigan doesn’t make the CFP, the biggest media outlets are in lockstep at this point in projecting the Wolverines to play in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on New Year’s Eve against an SEC opponent. Here are the teams those media outlets are predicting Michigan to play as of today, with two teams being the most popular picks to end up in Orlando with the Wolverines.

Sports Illustrated (Bryan Fischer): Cheez-It Citrus Bowl vs. Texas

For a third week in a row, Sports Illustrated has predicted that Michigan would lose to Ohio State in The Game and face Texas in the Citrus Bowl. With three losses, Texas would need a lot of help to make the CFP, thus warranting a prediction to face Michigan as the best non-playoff SEC team.

ESPN (Kyle Bonagura and Mark Schlabach): Cheez-It Citrus Bowl vs. Vanderbilt

For a second straight week, ESPN chose Vanderbilt as the team facing the Wolverines in this bowl game. Vanderbilt has a better shot than Texas at making the CFP. Currently three spots in front of Michigan in AP Poll, the Commodores and the Wolverines could be fighting for the last CFP spot, but Vanderbilt will not have an easy route by taking on Tennessee on the road this Saturday.

On3 (Brett McMurphy): Cheez-It Citrus Bowl vs. Texas

On3 has jumped between Texas and Vanderbilt as its pick for the Citrus Bowl, and this week it is the Longhorns.

The Athletic (Scott Dochterman): Cheez-It Citrus Bowl vs. Tennessee

The Athletic is by itself once again this week, being the sole outlet to choose Tennessee as the Citrus Bowl opponent. As part of his prediction, Scott Dochterman expects both Vanderbilt and Texas to lose this weekend, which would catapult Tennessee into the Citrus Bowl.

CBS Sports (Jerry Palm): Cheez-It Citrus Bowl vs. Texas

CBS Sports is sticking firmly with Texas as its pick, expecting Texas to lose and Vanderbilt to win on Saturday.

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

To round out the Texas picks, Athlon Sports also chose the Longhorns as the matchup for the Wolverines, setting up a ratings bonanza as former No. 1 recruits Bryce Underwood and Arch Manning face off for the first time in their young careers.

College Football News (Pete Fiutak): Cheez-It Citrus Bowl vs. Vanderbilt

Last week, Pete Fiutak of College Football News chose Tennessee to defeat Vanderbilt. However, his prediction has changed back to the Commodores. If Vandy misses out on the Top-12, it should be in prime position to be the team heading to the Citrus Bowl against the Wolverines.