Michigan Wolverines Likely the Only School from Michigan Going to a Bowl Game in 2023

The University of Michigan is having a season for the ages for the 2023 campaign. The team is undefeated and prevailing in spite of (or because of?) scandals plaguing the program like the allegations of sign stealing.

With all the noise around the Wolverine program, they are the class of the FBS in terms of Michigan schools unless a scandal costs them a bowl game - which, at this point appears unlikely. CBS Sports has deep, thorough reporting that any punishment/sanction affecting the remainder of the 2023 season would come via the Big 10 Conference (CBS further reports the conference and school are in open and ongoing communication). while any NCAA action could come later due to the slower, more widely encompassing nature of the sanctioning body's work.

All of that still leaves Michigan as perhaps the only school from the state that could earn a bowl invitation.

Michigan State's season is marred by the Mel Tucker sex scandal and fans have openly moved on to basketball. With just 2 wins heading into the final weekend of October, the Spartans would likely need to win out to earn an invitation. Even if they somehow did go on a heater, and even in an era of expanded bowls where invitations are sometimes waiting for even the most questionable of schools, would the weight of the MSU fanbase be enough to back into a bid?

2023 Bowl Prospects for Michigan MAC Schools

Group of Five bowl nods get few and far between once you get past conference champions. Western Michigan has just 2 wins at this point in the season and is likely toast.

Both Eastern and Central Michigan have 4 wins and a shot at eligibility. With 3 of their last 4 games against teams with losing records, the Eagles have the easier path. The CMU Chips only have one team with a losing record left on their slate.

So it may be a bit of a bust for Bowl season in Michigan so the state's football fans better hope the kneecapping Lions can turn their exceptional start to the season into a playoff reality.