Michigan Ready for the Gator Bowl

While Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen was apparently being considered for some of the top jobs in college football, Rich Rodriguez is unsure if he’ll even have one at Michigan next season.
These coaches have received very different messages from their athletic directors, as Mullen’s Bulldogs get set to meet Rodriguez’s Wolverines on New Year’s Day in the Gator Bowl, where Denard Robinson will play in his home state for the first time.
Both teams missed out on bowls the previous two seasons. Rodriguez had two losing seasons before Michigan went 7-5 this year, while Mullen went 5-7 in his first season with the Bulldogs last year before an 8-4 campaign a year later.
The strong season for No. 21 Mississippi State fueled speculation Mullen would be considered for openings at Miami and Florida, where he was Urban Meyer’s offensive coordinator from 2005-08. Those jobs have been filled, and athletic director Scott Stricklin has indicated that he is working on an extension for his coach.

While Rodriguez’s status may be affecting Michigan’s recruiting, it also seems to be impacting preparations for this game. The players have voiced their confidence in Rodriguez, with junior defensive end Ryan Van Bergen saying it may be in some of their minds that they might be playing for their coach’s job in the Gator Bowl.

Rodriguez appears to have the best player on either side in Robinson. The sophomore helped guide an offense that ranked sixth in the FBS with an average of 500.9 yards, and he set the NCAA record for most rushing yards by a quarterback with 1,643.
Named the Big Ten offensive player of the year, the Deerfield Beach, Fla., native is excited about finally playing at home.