In one of the three Big Ten-SEC bowl match-up of this season 8-4 Michigan takes on 10-2 South Carolina in the Outback Bowl New Year's Day in Tampa (1 pm ET, ESPN).
Early Outback Bowl odds were showing the Gamecocks, who went 6-2 in SEC play this season, as five-point favorites over the Wolverines, who went 6-2 in Big Ten play.
Eight of the past 11 Outback Bowls played OVER total, while Michigan backers have suffered through a 3-6-1 ATS run in 10 recent bowls. [ More Outback Bowl betting stats, trends and matchup info ]
View Michigan vs South Carolina Odds and Stats.
Betting Line: The home team opened as 4-point favorites in this NCAA football battle at Sportsbook. The over under line was 48 in early bowl betting at Sportsbook.
Michigan Bowl History
| Year | Bowl | Team1 | Score | Team2 | Score | Team2Line | ATS win |
| 1995 | Alamo Bowl | Michigan | 20 | Texas A&M | 22 | 5 | TEXA&M |
| 1996 | Outback Bowl | Alabama | 17 | Michigan | 14 | 1 | ALAB |
| 1997 | Rose Bowl | Washington State | 16 | Michigan | 21 | -7 | WSHST |
| 1998 | Capital One Bowl | Arkansas | 31 | Michigan | 45 | -2.5 | MICH |
| 1999 | Orange Bowl | Michigan | 35 | Alabama | 34 | -2.5 | MICH |
| 2000 | Capital One Bowl | Auburn | 28 | Michigan | 31 | -8 | AUBRN |
| 2001 | Capital One Bowl | Michigan | 17 | Tennessee | 45 | -3.5 | TENN |
| 2002 | Outback Bowl | Florida | 30 | Michigan | 38 | -1.5 | MICH |
| 2003 | Rose Bowl | Michigan | 14 | Southern Cal | 28 | -7 | USC |
| 2004 | Rose Bowl | Michigan | 37 | Texas | 38 | -7 | MICH |
| 2005 | Alamo Bowl | Nebraska | 32 | Michigan | 28 | -10 | NEBR |
| 2006 | Rose Bowl | Michigan | 18 | Southern Cal | 32 | 2 | USC |
| 2007 | Capital One Bowl | Michigan | 41 | Florida | 35 | -10.5 | MICH |
| 2010 | Gator Bowl | Michigan | 14 | Mississippi State | 52 | -3 | MIS.ST |
| 2011 | Sugar Bowl | Michigan | 23 | Virginia Tech | 20 | 3 | Push |
South Carolina Bowl History
| Year | Bowl | Team1 | Score | Team2 | Score | Team2Line | ATS win |
| 2000 | Outback Bowl | South Carolina | 24 | Ohio State | 7 | -6.5 | S.CARO |
| 2001 | Outback Bowl | Ohio State | 28 | South Carolina | 31 | 0 | S.CARO |
| 2005 | Independence Bowl | Missouri | 38 | South Carolina | 31 | -3.5 | MIZZOU |
| 2006 | Liberty Bowl | Houston | 36 | South Carolina | 44 | -5 | S.CARO |
| 2008 | Outback Bowl | Iowa | 31 | South Carolina | 10 | 3.5 | IOWA |
| 2009 | Papajohns.com Bowl | Connecticut | 20 | South Carolina | 7 | -4 | CONN |
| 2010 | Chick-Fil-A Bowl | Florida State | 26 | South Carolina | 17 | -2.5 | FLAST |
| 2011 | Capital One Bowl | Nebraska | 13 | South Carolina | 30 | -3 | S.CARO |
How They Match Up:
Offensively, the game matches up South Carolina's No. 43-ranked offense (31.4 PPG) against a Wolverines defense that ranks No. 16 at 18.8 PPG. The Gamecocks passing attack has averaged 229.5 yards per game, more than the Wolverines give up through the air (155.2 YPG on average).
Defensively, the Wolverines feature the league's No. 41-rated road run defense, allowing 146.2 yards per game. South Carolina, meanwhile, ranks No. 77 in rushing offense at home.
Last time out for Michigan, they were a 26-21 loser as they battled Ohio State on the road. Michigan failed to cover in the match as a 4-point underdog, while 47 combined points moved the game UNDER for totals bettors. In their last game, Michigan got a 122-yard performance from Denard Robinson, but Ohio State prevailed 26-21.
South Carolina was a 27-17 Sportsbook in its last match on the road against Clemson. They covered the 6.5-point spread as underdogs, while the total score of 44 sent UNDER bettors to the payout window. Dylan Thompson throttled the Tigers defense in his team's most recent action, throwing for 310 yards as South Carolina handed Clemson a 27-17 defeat.
Michigan Wolverines Trends:
When playing in January are 5-5
When playing on grass are 4-6
After being outgained are 7-3
When an underdog on the road are 2-8
South Carolina Gamecocks Trends:
When playing in January are 3-2
When playing on grass are 8-2
After outgaining opponent are 9-1
When favored at home are 10-0
A few Wolverines at Gamecocks trends to consider:
Michigan is 19-6 SU in its last 25 games
Michigan is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
South Carolina is 14-2 SU in its last 16 games
