The Wolverines Battle the MSU Bulldogs on New Year's Day

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by: mayharmanninghansburger
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Date: Tue, 8 Feb 2011 Time: 8:20 AM
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The Gator Bowl games get off to a big start on New Year's Day as, once again, the Michigan Wolverines play against the Mississippi State University Bulldogs. The Michigan Wolverines are members of the Big 10 while their opponents represent the Southeastern Conference. This year the Wolverines scored in the overall 7-5 and 3-5 in the Big 10. The Bulldogs scored 8-4 and 4-4 in the Southeastern Conference. The Michigan Wolverines are not currently in the top 25 of the Southeastern Conference while the Bulldogs are ranked 21 in the Big 10. Last year's Gator Bowl was a match between West Virginia and Florida with Florida winning 33-21.

Fans were all expecting Michigan to face Florida (6-6) in this year's Gator Bowl Games and the decision of the Gator management comes unexpectedly.

Next year's game will be the first time the Wolverines play in the Gator Bowl with current coach. Rich Rodriguez. Their last bowl match was in January 2007. They won against Florida 41-35 in the Capital One Bowl games. That was under coach Lloyd Carr. Their last Gator Bowl game was in January 1, 1997. against Mississippi whom they defeated 35 -3. Previous to that they had lost to North Carolina 17-15 on December 28, 1979, making next year's match their third time to play in Gator Bowl Games.

The game will be the first playoff between the Michigan Wolverines and the MSU Bulldogs. In all the Michigan Wolverines have played 30 times against the Southeastern Conference with 23-5-1.

The Michigan wolverines have won 42 Big Conference titles in all and the team is currently one of the All-Time Winningest American Football Programs. They also have 11 National Championships to their credit. Their victory in 2007 over Florida was followed by two consecutive years of poor performance under Rich Rodriguez, for which the coach seems to be under pressure. The outcome of next year's game may decide whether Rich is to remain as their coach or be replaced.

The Bulldogs did well this season, beating all the opposition but for the big names in the Southeastern Conference.

A big attendance of onlookers representing s of both teams is expected to turn up on January 1. Most of these fans are expected to be hie-hard Wolverines followers who expect to see the Michigan Wolverines winning back the games they lost this season. Although they did well during the first five matches, their endurance seems to have failed them towards the end when they lost 5 out of 7 games. It seems, the coach expects too much from quarterback Denard Robinson.

The fans of the Michigan Wolverines are hoping that the new game tactics of coach Rich Rodriguez will stop relying on the energy of his quarterback Denard Robinson and train the other members of the team well. The Michigan Wolverines sorely will need their game play improved. the coaches on both sides have nothing but praises for the opposing team and both agree that the New Year's day match promises to be an exciting challenge for all.

About the Author

Mayhar Manninghansburger is actually a retired highschool teacher which writes for SportsFanTreasures Check out his , Pittsburgh Watch, Green Bay Superbowl Merchandise