After the bowl situation was finally settled last night, the Wolverines didn't end up with a legendary bowl game.
But they did end up with a legendary opponent.
On New Year's Day, No. 15 Michigan (8-3) will play No. 16 Alabama (9-3) at 11 a.m. at the Outback Bowl in Tampa, Fla. The Wolverines haven't played on New Year's Day since 1993, and they were very pleased to be back - no matter how they got there.
"We are extremely excited to play a quality opponent like Alabama on New Year's Day," Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said. "I don't think we could have had a better matchup."
The Outback Bowl had the third choice in both the Big Ten and SEC. Michigan, which finished fifth in the Big Ten, was invited after the Bowl Alliance placed Penn State against Texas in the Fiesta Bowl, instead of the Outback, and Outback officials passed up Iowa.
The Nittany Lions and Hawkeyes tied for third in the Big Ten at 6-2. But Penn State finished the season ranked seventh nationally, good enough for the Alliance bid. The Hawkeyes finished ranked 21st and were left to play Texas Tech at the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Dec. 29.
The Wolverines' national following, ranking and victories over Colorado and Ohio State were possible reasons why they leapfrogged the Hawkeyes.
Alabama, which lost to then-No. 4 Florida, 45-28, on Saturday in the SEC championship game, finished behind now-No. 3 Florida (Sugar Bowl vs. No. 1 Florida State) and No. 9 Tennessee (Citrus Bowl vs. No. 11 Northwestern) but still presents a challenge.
The Crimson Tide plays tough defense, and its losses were all to quality opponents - Mississippi State, Tennessee and Florida.
"Alabama has a great defense - one of the best in the country," Carr said. "Probably, our defense is the strength of our team. So it's going to come down to the offenses."
Perhaps more important, the Tide has an emotional edge. Highly-respected Alabama coach Gene Stallings has announced that the Outback Bowl will be his last game.
"It's going to be a showdown, with the legendary coach they've got and the respect Alabama has," Michigan co-captain Jarrett Irons said. "It's his last game, and they'll be excited. But for the seniors, it's going to be our last game, too."
Michigan and Alabama, for all of their history, have met just once before. At the 1987 Hall of Fame Bowl - the Outback's predecessor - the Wolverines held off the Tide, 28-24.
Of course, Michigan would rather meet Alabama at the second-place Citrus Bowl or undefeated, No. 2 Arizona State at the Rose. But considering the circumstances and their record, the Wolverines said they will take the Outback, the state of Florida, the sunshine and the Tide.
"We lost a couple of games we had control over, and we had some great wins," Carr said. "We were an outstanding football team that stumbled a couple times.
"Getting back to play on New Year's Day is important. It's great to be the lead-in on that day. The exposure you get is really special."
In all, seven Big Ten teams were invited to bowls. Other than Ohio State (Rose), Penn State, Northwestern, Michigan and Iowa, Michigan State and Wisconsin will play in the postseason.
Michigan State will face Stanford at the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas, on Dec. 31, and Wisconsin will play Wyoming at the Copper Bowl in Tuscon, Ariz., on Dec. 27.
Mattison update: Michigan defensive coordinator Greg Mattison, who accepted an offer Thursday to serve as defensive coordiantor at Notre Dame next season, will not coach the Wolverines at the bowl.
Carr said yesterday that he expects to make an announcement later this week that would detail the future of Michigan's defense. Carr said he will not serve as coordinator, but that "there are some guys who have done an excellent job coaching the defense this season."
Irons and center Rod Payne said they were dismayed when they heard of Mattison's departure, but they understood Mattison's situation. Notre Dame reportedly offered Mattison a salary much higher than the one he earned at Michigan.
"He had to do what what's best for him and his family," Irons said. "It's hard to see him go, but I respect his decision. Coaches come and go. I've seen that since I've been here. We just need to stand up and play the way we've been playing."
Payne said: "It's definitely not something you want to hear. It's not conducive to what we're trying to do.
"Some of the young guys don't understand it, the business side of college athletics, the concept of career movement. People are calling it 'lateral movement,' and I don't understand that. He felt that it was best for his family, and that's that."
Attempts to reach Mattison at his Ann Arbor home Saturday and Sunday were unsuccessful.
Tickets: Students interested in attending the Outback Bowl should contact the Michigan Ticket Department at (313) 764-0247 immediately.
The ticket price is set at $38.
Tour packages are available for Alumni Association and Victors Club members and their families. For further information, call (313) 763-6673.