Peach Bowl Preview

Time: 12:00
Location: Mercedes Dealership, Atlanta
Weather: Indoors
TV: ESPN
Stream: ESPN APP
Line: Michigan -6.0

Vegas is the best in the business at predicting games and spreads.  I have no idea how they pick spreads for these bowl games?   Players are sitting out and some teams (like Miami) rather be at home then playing in a football game.  Or you just put bad teams up against each other like TCU and CAL that end up with a 10-7 OT game with 9 picks.   This system is working perfectly!

The Florida Gators were a bit streaky this year under new head coach Dan Mullen.  They lost their second game of the year to UK, won 5 in a row, lost 2 in a row, and finished off the year by winning their last 3 games against the murders row of South Carolina, Idaho, and Florida State.

We know how Michigan's season ended and there is no reason to relive that sh*t.

Tale of the Tape
Shea vs. UF's Pass D = Push
Michigan OT's vs. UF's DE's = Florida
Michigan Running D vs. UF's Running O = Michigan
Michigan's Pass D vs. UF's Passing O = Michigan
Intangibles: Florida
Coaching: Michigan

A good friend of mine Augusta J wanted me to go to the game.  He said the Stadium was worth the trip alone.  But alas, I have also decided to skip this years bowl game and head to the Chick-fil-A for lunch instead.

If this game was in Week 3 or 4 of the season, I think Michigan wins by 14 points.  It isn't and this team that Michigan will put on the field will be missing its best player on defense Bush and it's most talented one in Gary.  The offense is missing its 1000 yard runner and its Right Tackle.    Somehow all those changes only moved the line about a half a point.

Michigan is also coming off a train wreck in CBus that will either motivate them or do just the opposite.   Its hard to know.   The videos of practice looks like a team that is focused and is ready to play, but we won't know anything until about 12:15 on Saturday afternoon.

The Michigan coaches also have something to prove.   Pep and Jimmy need to open up the offense and let Shea throw without Higdon in the lineup.  Florida's pass defense is for real and it will be time to see Black, DPJ, and Nico can get separation and win some 50/50 balls downfield.

Don Brown the king of defense, got sent to the Bud Light wine cellar after the disaster in Ohio.  OSU was very clear on how to beat his defense and it will be interesting to see if his unit can respond positively without two very good players and just two weeks to prepare.

Yell, See you next year if...…………..

• Michigan's passing offense opens up the running game 
• Michigan's defense isn't shell shocked
• Getting 11 wins is really important
• Chase has a big day and goes out a winner like he deserves
• Michigan can handle UF's athletes

Shake your head and wonder why you attend these games if....

• This Michigan team looks like the one that played in the Outback
• Jimmy and Pep are running Evans straight in UF's D line 
• Michigan's D is lost without Bush 
• The UF offense is scoring points 

Here is my concern, Michigan is known to struggle with very athletic teams or players.   Even in wins this year, they gave up big plays to elite athletes.   Florida is full of those and if Franks can throw and run for some first downs, the Wolverines will have some issues.  

Florida likes to run the ball, which should be a positive for the Wolverines.  Florida also has tape from the Ohio State game.  Franks isn't Haskins and Mullen isn't Meyer but I'm sure we will see some concepts that beat the Wolverines in Ohio.  

I think the bottom line is Florida's program is on the rise with Mullen and Michigan just took a TKO in their last fight.   The Florida Gators are excited about playing another game, the Wolverines interest is questionable.  Michigan is going to struggle with Florida's DE's and Shea will have little to no time to get the ball down field.    Will Michigan be able to run the ball with Evans, Wilson, and Turner?

Harbaugh needs this win and Florida wants it so they can continue the progress.  

Florida 21 Michigan 17

Michigan Thursday: Down Another Starter For The Peach

As reported yesterday, JBB Michigan's senior starting RT did not make the trip to Atlanta for the Peach Bowl. Now your first reaction might be, "Is he really considered an NFL Draft prospect?" He could get drafted but if he did, he would be a Day 3 draft prospect. So why is he sitting?

Michigan's release said that JBB elected not to play but insiders are saying that he is still injured with a Turf Toe and wasn't ready to play in this game.   Jimmy has a rule: if your injured and not playing, you don't travel.    Not sure why the Michigan staff used that wording on his participation. 

If your wondering how to feel about this game, I would say that is a valid feeling.   Michigan will be fielding a team that is more like its future 2019 squad then its 2018 team.   I have always said, that every Big 5 program should have an opportunity for an August pre-season exhibition against a local school (to reduce travel costs).   This game is starting to feel a bit like that. 

Many Michigan fans are feeling the same way, at last report Michigan had only sold 60% of it's ticket allotment and right now tickets are going as low as $55.75 on Stubhub.   Tickets through Michigan's Athletic Department are at $160 per.   (Michigan has to purchase any un-sold tickets in their allotment of 13,000)

If your wondering, Florida expects all their draft eligible players to participate on Saturday.   This is also starting to feel a bit like the Citrus Bowl in Harbaugh's first year but in reverse.   New coach, rebound year, and a program on the rise.   Other teams stars more interested in the NFL Draft. 

Should be a fun game! 

• Hello Minnesota's run game!  They ran over Tech at Ford Field yesterday.  

• Hello interceptions!  A total of 9 in the CAL - TCU game. 

• Hello Lighting, never seen a bowl game cancelled before. 

• Zach Gentry was happy with the draft grade he got from the NFL, so he will make a decision after the Peach Bowl.   To be fair, Zach has had a nice year but struggled against OSU.  If he has a strong Peach, he might just jump to the NFL.   When are they going to run a trick play, where he throws the ball?

• Don Brown addressed the OSU game by basically saying they had a great year with one terrible week.  That he just needs to move on.  I know he isn't going to go into specifics with the media but I hope moving on includes teaching his unit how to play a zone coverage.

Michigan Monday: Exhibition Game Week

Michigan loaded up a plane and headed to Atlanta on Sunday to face the Florida Gators in less than a week.  I feel sorry for the journalist that are covering the game, can't feel great spending Christmas at the Atlanta Westin.   For the Wolverines, this is a business trip to get younger players some game time action and to see if they can eclipse 11 wins this season.  

Some practice buzz includes RB Christian Turner and CB Vincent Gray.   I expect with Higdon out, we will get a couple more looks at Mr. Turner and even Hassan Haskins who is back full time at RB after a stint on defense.  This is the first year where the new 4 game red shirt rule is in effect, so expect many younger players to see the field on Saturday.

In other news:

• Shea Patterson is coming back for his senior year.  Which is great news.  Two years in Harbaugh's system should bring more positive results from that position.  

• Michigan gets a PWO QB commit from a Rivals 2 star QB Ren Hefley.  Ren is a dual-threat at 6'1 and 185 pounds and played his high school football in Arkansas.   Welcome Ren! Any chance his nickname becomes Kylo?

• Michigan's basketball team slept walked through another 1st half against Air Force on Saturday but found its footing in the second half.  I think this is just rust only playing once a week.    Speaking of a service academy, did you see what Army did to Houston in the bowl game?  You know Army is on Michigan's schedule next year right?  Who keeps scheduling these service academies?

• With only a week left in the NFL regular season, expect more Harbaugh rumors.  The latest is that the Jets are going to come with a big offer.  Their owners name is Woody Johnson, that is all. 

• Speaking of the NFL Tom Brady clinched another Division Title yesterday.   In his 18 years career he has won 16 AFC East Titles.   That is just crazy! 🐐

A Too Early Look at Florida:

Record: 9-3

Best win: LSU 

Worst Loss: Missouri

Finished tied for 2nd in the SEC East with Kentucky who beat them.  

Very consistent on offense where they rush for 209 yards per and throw for 217.   

Gators score 34 points per game and give up 20.

Florida ranks #24 in total defense

Dan Mullen is in his first year as Florida's head coach.  A familiar name coaching the Gators secondary, Ron English (former Michigan DC and EMU head coach).

 

Line: Michigan -6.5

Interesting trend, when Florida has lost this year they have scored 16, 17, and 17 points.  (Kentucky, Georgia, Missouri)