Location: Camping World Stadium, Orlando
Weather: 70/Sunny
TV: ABC
Stream: ESPN App
Line: Michigan +7
This isn't going to be a long preview as college football has been changing over the last decade. Paying players has become more of a battle cry then an NCAA violation and just like PED's in many sports, fans are just sick and tired of the discussion. Some universities have decided to become football player factories rather then academic institutions. At OSU you didn't even need to go to class any longer and can just take OSU's version of Phoenix University. That will never be the case in Ann Arbor and you have seen the results. If your an 18 year old 5 star and the pitch is, come to our football factory, you will have $40K in your bank account, a new car, and play for National Championships. That is hard to sell against.
Tale of the Tape
Alabama everything vs. Michigan everything = Alabama
Bama is better then Michigan at pretty much every position and like in the OSU game it will show brightly in two areas: the offensive line and defensive line. Bama's NFL offensive line will get to play against Carlo Kemp, a true freshman, Hutchinson, and Paye. Alabama is going to run, run, and run some more on Michigan's defense.
The Michigan offensive line is a better match-up but still favors the talented Crimson Tide. If Michigan is going to make this game competitive at all, this position group has to have a great day.
Say, well I wasn't expecting that if...……….
- Michigan's offense can score points on Bama
- The offense plays very clean - no dropped passes or turnovers
- Michigan's defense can get some stops
- Bama clearly doesn't want to be there
- Alabama's best players are dressed but don't play
Say, yep saw this coming if ...…………..
- Michigan's defensive line is getting run over
- Michigan is turning the ball over on offense or special teams
- The talent gap is wide and clear as the grand canyon
- Harris runs over the Wolverines like he never had a dorm room waiting for him in Ann Arbor
I don't think Alabama wants to be in this game. I'm a bit surprised that so many of their top talent is actually playing. There seems to be a ton of risk for very little reward for playing in this game if your a 1st round draft pick. The issue is, if Bama is sleep walking through this game, their talent and running game might be enough to beat the Wolverines.
Ok, Bob we get it, Alabama is better. Is there anyway Michigan can win?
There is always a chance and the reason they play the games. Here are a few ways Michigan could sneak out a win:
- Gattis knows Bama well and could find a few weak spots
- Offense plays fast and clean
- Don Brown is going to have to protect his limited defensive line, while not letting the talented Bama WR's get separation. Does he have some type of blitz with a zone in secondary? How is he going to stop the run?
- Bama's players play like Florida did in the Citrus Bowl a few years ago.
- Michigan does play well in this stadium and has a few upsets against better teams.
Since Sabin has gotten to Alabama, I rarely have seen his teams sleep walk through 4 quarters. Michigan will need to keep the score manageable and try to sneak out a win late in the game. Things will have to go very right for the Wolverines as the talent gap is significant. The weather will be nice and Michigan likes playing in the afternoon. I'm not expecting a great outcome, I just want a competitive game.
Alabama 42 Michigan 17
from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2019/12/citrus-bowl-preview.html
No comments:
Post a Comment