This was the first time the Orange Bowl used officials from a neutral conference (in this instance, the Southeastern).
In previous years, a split crew consisting of officials from each team's conference (the Big Ten when independent Notre Dame participated) were put together.
The Wolverines (8–1–2) were the runner-up in the Big Ten Conference, after falling to rival Ohio State in Ann Arbor, 21–14.
Michigan State played in the 1938 Orange Bowl, but was not a member of the Big Ten in football until 1953.
[7] (Since the previous poll in early December, #2 Texas A&M lost twice and fell out of the top ten.)