Michigan Wolverines versus Mississippi State Bulldogs 2011 Gator Bowl Odds, Preview, and Predictions: Head football coach Rich Rodriguez will lead the Michigan Wolverines to Municipal Stadium to take on the Mississippi State Bulldogs in the 2011 PROGRESSIVE GATOR BOWL on Saturday at 1:30 PM ET on ESPN2. The Bulldogs enter the game at 8-4 good for 5th in the SEC West while the Wolverines are 7-5 7th in the Big Ten and the first Bowl under coach Rodriguez 3 seasons as head coach for Big Blue. Bulldog Coach Dan Mullen spoke highly of Michigan Quarterback Denard Robinson. “I know Denard Robinson is one of the most explosive, if not the most explosive player in the country,” Mullen said in a conference call discussing the bowl matchup with the Wolverines. “As the season went on, he got wore down a little bit, but now coming into a bowl game, we’re going to get 100 percent of him.” “I recruited Denard out of high school, and I knew he was a special player,” Mullen said. “I knew he was fast and he was explosive. He certainly hasn’t taken a step back from those days to the player he’s become. He can throw the ball, he can hurt you with his legs. … He’s going to be the most dynamic football player we’ve faced.” Vegas odds makers have the Mississippi State Bulldogs a -4 point favorite at Municipal Stadium against the Michigan Wolverines.
Michigan is coming off a 37-7 loss to Ohio State on the road and finished the season just 3-8 ATS. Quarterback Denard Robinson completed 8 of 18 passes for 87 yards also rushing 18 times for 105 yards. “Mississippi State is a great team and has been consistently ranked among the Top 25 this season. Dan Mullen and his staff have done an outstanding job. It should be a great matchup, and we look forward to playing them on New Year’s Day.” — Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez, looking ahead to the Gator Bowl. The total has gone OVER in 4 of Michigan’s last 6 games.
The Bulldogs are coming off a 31-23 victory over Mississippi and finished the season 6-5 ATS. Quarterback Chris Relf completed 13 of 20 passes for 288 yards 3 touchdowns and a pick while rushing 12 times for an additional 66 yards. The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Mississippi State’s last 6 games. Odds makers at Bodog have the over/under for the total score at 60 points combined of the Michigan Wolverines and Mississippi State Bulldogs.
I predict a Michigan upset Victory, go Big Blue!
Note: Rich Fritz is a Blog Writer on NSAwins.com and not a pro handicapper. For expert NFL Football Predictions against the Vegas spreads please visit the NSAwins.com homepage for top predictions today from the National Sports Advisors.