The Rundown: Michigan vs. South Carolina

Depending on where you look Michigan is a seven to nine-point favorite over the South Carolina Gamecocks and grades out well against USC on paper. U-M's defense should give South Carolina's 107th ranked offense fits and that should be enough for the Wolverines to win by at least nine points.

Carolina's pass defense is respectable and U-M's pass offense has been up and down all year with a revolving door at quarterback. If redshirt freshman Brandon Peters plays well and can move the ball down the field it could be a really long day for the Gamecocks.

Both teams are 8-4 and would like nothing more than to get to nine wins. In another interesting storyline the Big Ten's perfect bowl record (8-0) could remain so with a Michigan win and give the conference a lot of bragging rights heading into the offseason. That's not as big of a deal for U-M specifically but you can bet that Jim Harbaugh is aware of it and he wants to win regardless.

Michigan vs. South Carolina

Date: Jan. 1, 2018

Site: Raymond James Stadium (65,890); Tampa, Fla.

Kickoff: 12:00 p.m.

Television: ESPN2

Radio: Michigan/IMG Radio Network (950 AM in the Detroit Area) with Dan Dierdorf, Jim Brandstatter and sideline reporter Doug Karsch, a regular contributor to TheWolverine.com.

Series Facts: The Wolverines are 3-2 in the Outback/Hall of Fame Bowl and have appeared in it more than any other Big Ten squad … One of the previous matchups was against South Carolina, a 33-28 loss on Jan. 1, 2013; it was the last time the two schools met … This will be the fourth meeting between the two programs, the Gamecocks hold a 2-1 edge … U-M is 8-5 against SEC teams in bowl games and 25-8-1 against the league in all contests … The Wolverines are 21-24 in bowl games, ranking 11th in NCAA history for appearances and 17th for postseason wins … It will be the 38th January bowl appearance and the 16th in the last 19 postseason tilts.

Scouting Report: Previewing Michigan-South Carolina With Team Insider