Two of the New Year's Day bowl participants were determined Monday when No. 16 Michigan and No. 25 Ohio State accepted bids to the Citrus and Outback Bowls for the second straight year.
Michigan (8-3) is headed back to the Citrus Bowl after last week's 26-20 loss to Ohio State cost the Wolverines the Big Ten Conference championship and a berth in the Bowl Championship Series.
Michigan finished second in the Big Ten standings and dropped five spots in the latest coaches' poll.
Ohio State (7-4) hopes to make amends for last season's disappointing 24-7 loss to South Carolina in the Outback Bowl that led to the firing of coach John Cooper.
"We're excited about the opportunity to play in such a prestigious bowl," Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said. "Our players have worked this year to overcome significant adversity and put themselves in position for this wonderful opportunity."
Starting quarterback Steve Bellisari was suspended for the Illinois game on Nov. 17 after being arrested on a drunken driving change a day earlier.
Ohio State's Big Ten hopes ended with a 34-22 loss to Illinois, the eventual conference champion, but the Buckeyes improved their bowl status with last week's win over Michigan. The victory also enabled them to move back into the top 25.
Michigan will be making its sixth straight appearance in a New Year's Day bowl and its third trip to the Citrus Bowl in four years. The Wolverines beat Arkansas, 45-31, in 1999 before posting a 31-28 victory over Auburn last season.
Michigan has won four straight bowl games and has an all-time bowl mark of 18-14. Ohio State also is making is 33th bowl appearance, but has a 14-18 record.
