Today's Outback Bowl features the University of Michigan Wolverines of the Big 10 Conference against the University of South Carolina Gamecocks of the Southeastern Conference. Let's take a look at how productive each team has been this year using the NCAA FBS Production Model.
Michigan is currently 8-4 playing against an average strength of schedule. Michigan most impressive win was against currently #45 ranked Northwestern and their worst performance was to currently #32 ranked Nebraska. Michigan's other three losses were to team's currently ranked in the top 10 in the NCAA FBS Production Model. Michigan currently is the #33 ranked team in overall productivity, with the #68 ranked offense and the #15 ranked defense.
South Carolina finished the regular season at 10-2 playing against an average strength of schedule. South Carolina's most impressive game was a victory over currently #7 ranked Georgia and their worst loss (they only had two) was to currently #14 LSU. South Carolina is currently the #27 most productive team overall with the #55 ranked offense and the #14 ranked defense.
Given that South Carolina is superior to Michigan on both offense and defense, the model would "predict" that South Carolina will be the winner in today's Outback Bowl. Yet this game may be closer than some think.