Scene is set for Grossman to flee to NFL.(South Florida Sun-Sentinel)

Byline: Charles Bricker

TAMPA _ Rex Grossman had completed 11 of 24 pass attempts and was having another of those wild-hair games when his eyes locked on Keiwan Ratliff sweeping across the end zone early in the third quarter.

Two steps forward in the collapsing pocket, a couple of steps to the left and before you could scream "Score!" Grossman had released the ball and it was in Ratliff's hands for a 33-yard touchdown.

There weren't many moments like that for Grossman on Wednesday afternoon at the Outback Bowl, and it's not certain he remembered the few good ones. "I've got a huge headache ... the whole game is a blur to me right now," he said a half-hour after this 38-30 Michigan victory.

If this was Grossman's final game for Florida, it's not going to be resurrected on television on April 26, first day of the two-day NFL Draft, by the college football experts.

This was not highlight stuff, though it won't much matter. Grossman, with a year of eligibility left, made his case for the draft with his lightning release, his quick decision-making, his powerful delivery and his grit. He was popped and plastered by the Wolverine pass rush, which sacked him four times, yet he never looked intimidated.

NFL scouts watching this game at Raymond James Stadium weren't taking Grossman's temperature with his stat line. They were there to monitor his individual skills against a quality opponent. They were there to examine what the NFL calls "upside," and Grossman has a lot of it.