If they were eligible to play in the postseason this season, they surely would have been picked for this game, seeing as they have at least a .500 record in conference play. I would be much more excited about a Penn State/K-State matchup. They would be super motivated and excited to beat us for stealing Jake Waters from them, and we would be super motivated and excited to beat a historically elite football program like Penn State.
Michigan just doesn't excite me. It seems like the national perception is that beating Michigan is a lot like beating Texas Tech, or maybe Washington State for all you West-Coasters. Just a team who has been pretty average historically, with the exception of 1 or 2 seasons.
Plus, Michigan doesn't even have a mascot. That eliminates some of the fun pre-bowl activities. Remember last year when Willie beat the Oregon Duck in a push-up contest? Think of the great photo ops we're missing with this stud:
.
Do we just have Willie take pictures with old, white, (likely racist) men in Lands End peacoats?
Pretty disappointing if you ask me.