Michigan to face Florida State in Orange Bowl

But Michigan (10-2) had higher aspirations and being upset at Iowa was the first defeat that torpedoed its campaign. The loss to Ohio State eliminated MI from the Big 10 Championship, and effectively ended their playoff dreams. An Orange Bowl spokesperson said that players will be able to select a gift suite from a variety of options, including electronic items, but can’t surpass the NCAA-mandated amount.

“It’s disappointing, it is”, senior tight end Jake Butt told reporters.

“We’ve got to make sure that happens sooner or later”, McElwain said, “and that’s my responsibility, and it will get done”. We had plenty of opportunities to change outcomes. The Wolverines finished the season 10-2, but finished third in their division. But the failure to take care of business left the Wolverines pointing fingers – at themselves.

No. 6 MI (10-2, 7-2 Big Ten) vs. “Four points away from sitting here in front of you guys undefeated”.

Surely that’s true, but working with the classic backdrop of Michigan’s Big House, capacity 107,601, and representing the program that has won more games all-time (934) than any other nearly makes it unfair. The schools last faced off in 1991, a 51-31 Florida State victory.

FLORIDA STATE OFFENSE: The Seminoles’ offense revolves around the talented running back, Dalvin Cook, who rushed for his third-straight 1,000 yard season, with 1,620 yards and 18 touchdowns. DeMarcus Walker has 15 1/2 sacks, which is tied for most in the nation.

“We had an excellent experience at the Orange Bowl four years ago as the committee there and the City of Miami do as great a job hosting as anybody”. Would you have liked to see them play somebody else? “It was a lot of hard work in preparation, but like I just said, we look forward to that”.

“Florida State is a team that improved as the season went along, a very talented team”, Hocutt said. I’m not really focusing on how hard it is or what could have been.

That forced sixth-ranked MI to settle for the Orange Bowl. Ohio State (11-1) was one of just three teams with one loss this season. “If you look at the history of bowl games throughout this country and over the years watching the Orange Bowl … with the festivities, halftime shows and great games, to be a part of this history, it’s awesome every time you come back and you’re reminded of the great players and great coaches and teams that have played in this game”. The only player that has the option to come back is redshirt sophomore linebacker, Jabrill Peppers. In hindsight, the showdown with Ohio State was essentially a play in game and the outcome was in favor of the Buckeyes.

An argument could be made that a list of the top four teams in the country should contain all three of the Big Ten teams in question. It was the first true road game for redshirt freshman Deondre Francois, and the first game the FSU defense played after Derwin James was lost for the season.