Michigan Monday: Michigan vs Mississippi State

Is that enough "M's" for you in one title?  Yes, the Wolverines got a favorable bowl last night as they accepted an invitation to play in the Gator Bowl on New Years Day.  I know NYD isn't what it used to be but after two years of not watching the Wolverines at all during the holidays, I think the Gator Bowl was a nice choice for the Wolverines.

Mississippi State was some what of a surprise as an opponent for the Wolverines.  Most expected a Michigan - Florida match up but the Outback Bowl decided they rather snatch up the Gators.   Then the rumor floating around was Tennessee but that didn't happen either and now the Wolverines face a top 30 defense in Dan Mullen's Mississippi State squad. 

Even though Michigan State didn't get a BCS Bid they are playing a very difficult Alabama team in what should be re-named as the Saban Bowl.   Iowa seemed to get the short end of the stick having to play Missouri a 10-2 Big 12 Team on December 28.   I don't think MSU has the talent to say to Bama but I think Iowa can beat Missouri. 



More News and Notes From This Weekend:

• Change of Hart?  Too bad to see Mike Hart limp off the field on Sunday with another ankle injury but it seems Dee Hart might be re-thinking his de-commit to Michigan.  Rod Smith was reportedly down in Orlando on Friday to talk with Dee and watch his game.   It seems Rod got him off the ledge a bit but Dee still has some decisions to make, like enrolling early or not and if Michigan stays with RR long term.  Let's hope he stays Maize and Blue.  I'm thinking he probably wants to do the "hat thing" at the Army All American Game.  Michigan needs players like this young man.

• Kevin Sousa - Has de-committed from the Wolverines and verbally committed to Wake Forest.  Kevin is a young QB that "needed some work" to play at Michigan and probably saw a depth chart that listed guys like Denard, Tate, and Devin.  Which didn't really equal early or even late playing time.  So he decided to go a different direction, which seems to make a lot of sense for him.  Good Luck Kevin!

• Tommy Two Times?  Not on Saturday.  Michigan beat Tommy Amaker's solid Harvard team with some clutch second half shooting by Stu Douglass.  Tommy beat the Wolverines a couple of years ago when they traveled to Harvard.

• Kill The Gophers?  This line reminds me more of Caddy Shack then Big Ten Football but it seems the Minnesota Golden Gophers have hired Jerry Kill of Northern Illinois as their next head coach.  Jerry is also the former Saginaw Valley State head man and his team just lost to Miami (OH) in Ford Field over the weekend in the MAC Championship Game.

• TomVH from Mgoblog reports: That 4 star WR Devin Lucien will visit Ann Arbor on January 7th.

• Looks like Jim Harbaugh is about to sign an extentsion at Stanford.   Is there a Michigan clause?