Michigan’s win over Oklahoma gave the Wolverines a jolt, but it didn’t exactly send bowl projections into a full-blown shakeup.
After a rough opening week knocked UofM out of the AP Top 25, the Wolverines answered with a 17-10 home win over No. 11 Oklahoma. Even so, the early read from college football experts still points in the same general direction: a ReliaQuest Bowl matchup, most likely against an SEC opponent.
ESPN’s Kyle Bonagura and Mark Schlabach both released updated projections early Monday morning, Sept. 14, and each had Michigan headed to the ReliaQuest Bowl. Bonagura matched the Wolverines with Ole Miss, while Schlabach went with Tennessee.
Bryan Fischer of Sports Illustrated landed on the same bowl, though his opponent shifted from Texas A&M in last week’s projections to Tennessee this time around.
That Tennessee angle has become the common thread. College Football News had Michigan against Alabama in the Citrus Bowl a week ago, which stood out from the pack, but now it’s in line with the rest of the projections and has the Wolverines facing Tennessee in the ReliaQuest Bowl.
The Volunteers are 2-0, ranked No. 15 after wins over Furman and Georgia Tech. They’ll host Kennesaw State next weekend before a major test against No. 1 Texas on Saturday, Sept. 26 in Knoxville.
Michigan and Tennessee have met only once before, with UT rolling to a 45-17 win in Orlando, Fla. back in 2001.
For now, Michigan’s bowl outlook looks basically unchanged. Since the preseason, the two constants have been the ReliaQuest Bowl and an SEC opponent on the other side.
The Wolverines get UTEP this week, and that likely won’t be enough to move them into the playoff picture just yet. But another stretch of wins, paired with another statement result, could start to change how the CFP conversation looks.
In Other News...
Michigan Just Made An Early Move That Should Excite Basketball Fans
While the football team was entertaining Oklahoma, Michigan basketball used the same weekend to work its own recruiting circuit, bringing in several top prospects for campus visits. Among the headliners were 2028 five-star forwards Dylan Betts and Brady Pettigrew, a sign that the staff is already thinking far ahead as it tries to build relationships with the next wave of elite talent.
The visits also included time with head coach Mike Boynton and former players, giving the recruits a fuller look at what Michigan can offer beyond the practice gym. Pettigrew has sparked some buzz because of the possibility that he could move up a class, but that remains unconfirmed for now, leaving the bigger question open: how much traction did Michigan gain with two of the most coveted names on its early board? [Read more 🡒]
Michigan May Have Gained Real Recruiting Momentum After Beating Oklahoma
Michigans win over Oklahoma did more than improve the mood around the program. It also gave the staff a chance to put several high-profile visitors in the middle of the atmosphere, with five-star wide receiver Dakota Guerrant and four-star prospects Nasir Richardson, Mekhi McNair, Asa Burch and Armani Strong among the recruits on hand. The setting mattered, and the reactions afterward suggested the day landed the way Michigan hoped it would.
The buzz extended beyond the field, too, with recruits and their families speaking positively about both the game-day environment and the broader feel around the program. Guerrant, who is currently committed to Oregon, is among the visitors now taking a harder look after the trip, which is the kind of momentum Michigan has been trying to build on the trail. The game provided a backdrop, but the real question is how far that visit can move things in the weeks ahead. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan Shouldn't Overlook The UTEP Threats That Could Test This Opener
Michigan opens the season as a heavy favorite, but the spread alone will not make UTEP disappear. The Miners bring a few players who give this matchup some real shape, starting with quarterback EJ Colson Jr., who gives their offense a dual-threat element, and Kam Thomas, a versatile piece who can move around and create problems in different spots. Add running back Tavorus Jones to the mix and UTEP at least has enough skill talent to make the Wolverines stay alert early.
Defensively, the Miners also have a few names that could make the first game of the year feel less like a tune-up than Michigan would prefer. Linebacker Jayden Wilson has been one of the more active pieces on that side, while cornerback Justin Content brings the kind of coverage ability that can challenge timing throws. Michigan should still expect to control the game, but if UTEP is going to make it interesting at all, it will probably come through a handful of those individual matchups rather than a broad team upset push. [Read more 🡒]