Michigan vs. Alabama. Jim Harbaugh vs. Nick Saban.
No, it wouldn't be for the national championship, or even a New Year's Six bowl, but it still has a pretty nice ring to it.
And that matchup could be in the cards as college football bowl season approaches. In the wake of the most recent College Football Playoff rankings, multiple experts have projected Michigan and Alabama to meet in the Citrus Bowl in Orlando on New Year's Day.
That includes Mark Schlabach of ESPN and Stewart Mandel of The Athletic.
I would guess you'll see an Alabama-Michigan Citrus Bowl. They're not obligated to go by rankings, and that's too juicy to pass up.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) December 4, 2019After both schools lost last weekend, Michigan fell from No. 13 to No. 14, while Alabama fell from No. 5 to No. 12.
The Wolverines and Crimson Tide last met in the 2012 season opener, with Alabama winning 41-14. The last time they met in the postseason was the 2000 Orange Bowl, which Michigan won 35-34.
They also played for the Outback Bowl in 1997 and the Hall of Fame Bowl in 1988. The all-time series is tied at two.
Michigan could also face No. 11 Auburn in the Citrus Bowl, according to ESPN's Kyle Bonagura. Jerry Palm of CBS Sports sees Michigan paying Kentucky in the Gator Bowl Jan. 2 in Jacksonville.
The Holiday Bowl, which pits the Big Ten versus the Pac-12, could also be on the table for the Wolverines.
As for Michigan State, two destinations seem possible -- one for which the Spartans wouldn't have to travel far. Both Schlabach and Palm have Michigan State playing in the Quick Lane Bowl Dec. 26 at Ford Field, against either Florida State or Boston College.
The Spartans could also face Wake Forest in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankees Stadium Dec. 27, according to Bonagura.
