Citrus Bowl eyeing Michigan-Alabama

Submitted by Wolverine Devotee on December 4th, 2019 at 11:30 AM

This is starting to unfortunately catch on. Really hope this does not happen. 

Also just heard now on WTKA that Brett McMurphy said the Citrus Bowl really wants Michigan. Zach Shaw said his 247 people are hearing Citrus Bowl rumblings too. 

https://www.maizenbrew.com/2019/12/4/20995093/michigan-football-bowl-projections-update-joshua-christopher

MGoBoard
Football

FrankMurphy

December 4th, 2019 at 2:02 PM ^

Beating a bad USC or Washington team at least won't perpetuate the current narrative. It may not change the narrative into a positive one, but it won't perpetuate the current negative one. Losing by four touchdowns to a 'Bama team that was a legit CFP contender until last week (and whose third string is loaded with 4-star recruits) will most certainly perpetuate the current narrative and further entrench the idea that Michigan and Harbaugh can't win big games. 

Joined: 08/19/2008

MGoPoints: 32339

Don

December 4th, 2019 at 4:08 PM ^

"so playing USC by no means equals a win."

If we end up playing USC, I guarantee we'll have an assload of people here saying a variation of what I've heard before every fucking bowl game against a PAC team since Jan. 1, 1970: "The PAC is a finesse conference—they don't play the physical brand of football that we play in the Big Ten. Once we hit 'em in the mouth, they'll give up."

If this was just the fans, it wouldn't matter, but I believe our coaching staffs have also been infected with this notion. Here was Michigan DC Jim Herrmann on the eve of the 2004 Rose Bowl:

"Michigan defensive coordinator Jim Herrmann said that USC's quick passes to the wideouts on the wing, which the Trojans use to give their receivers room to make defenders miss, calls for no special tactics.

"We have to get numbers to the ball," Herrmann said. "Those are 'party' plays. There goes the ball. There's a party out there. Go to it. Don't be late. The receivers don't like to catch the ball and get hit."

Leinart passed for 342 yards, with future Lion Mike Williams catching 8 for 88 yards and Keary Colbert catching 6 for 149 yds.

Good analysis there, Mr. Herrmann.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 148571

FrankMurphy

December 4th, 2019 at 5:03 PM ^

Wow. This pretty much epitomizes the problem that has plagued this program for the past 50 years. We're stuck in our ways, we live in our own world, and we do that same thing over and over and expect different results. We got away with it for about 30 of those years because we were at least beating Ohio State and winning B1G Championships (and we had one lightning-in-a-bottle year when the stars aligned for us to win the ultimate prize), but now that we're no longer doing that, the malaise has set in.

Joined: 08/19/2008

MGoPoints: 32339

Cali Wolverine

December 4th, 2019 at 5:52 PM ^

I just looked into the future and saw the post Citrus Bowl Press Conference with Coach Harbaugh after losing by double digit to Alabama ....

“I thought our team was well-prepared, I thought they were playing good football.  I thought it was a good football fight. It got away from us today. Give them credit for playing well. Pretty much thoroughly went through how I saw the game unfold.”

Joined: 01/13/2013

MGoPoints: 21755

michgoblue

December 4th, 2019 at 11:44 AM ^

Exactly. There is a difference between a 9 win season and a 10 win season. 

Also, the narrative is that Harbaugh has stabilized Michigan, but (1) can’t beat OSU; and (2) can’t beat top teams, especially on the road.

Beating Washington in the Holiday bowl does nothing to impact that narrative. Beating Bama on New Years Day, however, is something of a statement. Despite being slightly down this year, Bama is widely regarded as the top program out there. A win over them would provide great momentum into the offseason. 

Joined: 11/16/2009

MGoPoints: 32201

bronxblue

December 4th, 2019 at 11:53 AM ^

But beating an Alabama team without Tua and (most likely) a third of its starters sitting out for combine prep dulls that a lot.  And it doesn't actually change what happens the following season; Texas was "back" after defeating a checked-out Georgia team and proceeded to shit the bed on the season.  Florida beat a disinterested Michigan team and...were arguably worse overall (some due to injury) but played a weaker schedule so they got to 10 wins one game early.  

Again, Michigan is going to make that next leap, if they do at all, with more than a win in a random bowl game that is smack-dab in the middle of a series of higher-profile bowl games against a name-brand team that may not give a shit about being there.  That's my opinion, and YMMV.  Which is fine.

Joined: 11/22/2008

MGoPoints: 172170

KC Wolve

December 4th, 2019 at 12:38 PM ^

Yep I love this argument. How in the world would it be possible for the team to keep “momentum” after not playing for 9 months? 
 

plus, it is 100% guaranteed that if it is even mentioned at all during the first game next year, the announcers will talk about the OSU game and not the Citrus Bowl. 

Joined: 10/09/2010

MGoPoints: 12679

bronxblue

December 4th, 2019 at 11:48 AM ^

They are random pairings of teams designed for ratings.  About a quarter of the players who play any given year aren't going to be there the next game the teams play.  What are the stakes here?  Does anyone care if UM wins the Citrus Bowl, a game they played in a mere 4 years ago?  If it wasn't against Alabama but instead, I don't know, Auburn it wouldn't register.  The Rose Bowl "means" something to people.  One of the playoff games means something.  

I'm not saying I wouldn't be excited about Michigan winning a bowl game, only that the consternation about the opponent seems misguided.  

Joined: 11/22/2008

MGoPoints: 172170

KC Wolve

December 4th, 2019 at 11:58 AM ^

Agree. I get that people want these games to mean something but....they are exhibition games. I think they are important as they give the team an opportunity for more practice and another game day situation. I also like that they are a trip for the players and they get some swag. They should get some of the money that goes to a bunch of shitty “Bowl Executives” but I digress. No one aside from some of the players and coaches will even remember who played in the Citrus Bowl a month after. If you think winning the Citrus Bowl will change the media narrative on Harbaugh, you are nuts. 

Joined: 10/09/2010

MGoPoints: 12679

Go_Blue_Guy

December 4th, 2019 at 1:07 PM ^

Thank you for being a voice of reason.  This idea being thrown around that bowl games are "meaningless exhibitions" drives me nuts.  They're not and the idea that they are seemed to pop up right around the time we lost one for the third consecutive year.  Being bad at something doesn't render that thing meaningless, it just means you need to do better.

Plus, I enjoy a good watch party on NYD.  

Joined: 10/25/2019

MGoPoints: 8

Carpetbagger

December 4th, 2019 at 11:40 AM ^

It would be good practice for Brown to keep facing these kinds of lines and backs. I actually am starting to think his theory is he doesn't need the big DT types. He can use a good game against Auburn/Alabama to learn by experience, prove us wrong or prove to himself he might need to rethink things.

I can't go see Michigan play given vacation and work anyway, so I'd love a good SEC matchup to give me a good reason to make time to watch them on TV.

Joined: 12/31/2010

MGoPoints: 6674

The Baughz

December 4th, 2019 at 11:48 AM ^

I think Don needs more practice facing teams with legit downfield threats. OSU’s WRs are constantly open deep. 

If Ruggs, Jeudy and Smith all play, then this will be an immense challenge to stop those guys. Mac Jones is not Tua but he throws a pretty nice deep ball.

Obviously, the biggest question will be whether or not those guys all play. I would highly doubt all their stars play. I am also curious to see who sits out for us; if any do.

Joined: 10/08/2010

MGoPoints: 31923

chunkums

December 4th, 2019 at 11:36 AM ^

Bama has played against two good teams this year and they gave up 48 and 46 points. They're incredibly talented, but without Tua, this Alabama team isn't the juggernaut we're used to. I dread the thought of an Alabama OL against our DTs, but I think it would be closer than a lot of people think.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 29028

NeverPunt

December 4th, 2019 at 11:48 AM ^

 We might be able to score some points on them if we're at full strength on offense. That said, Alabama's o-line is probably closer to OSU/Wisconsin than it is to PSU/ND. That...did not go well. Worst case we get embarasssed and everybody shrugs. Best case we beat a sub-par but still loaded Alabama team and get some buzz.. It's like scheduling Appalachain State but the reverse. I'm in.

Joined: 03/26/2019

MGoPoints: 42061

DrMantisToboggan

December 4th, 2019 at 11:52 AM ^

Exactly. It's the same set up as UGA-Texas Sugar Bowl last year. Georgia was expected to throttle them as the better team, but Georgia just lost the SEC Championship and missed the playoff, so they didn't care about the game, and Texas whooped them and got the hype train rolling.

If Alabama slaughters us? Who cares, it was supposed to happen. If we beat them? Bunch of program hype.

Joined: 11/26/2014

MGoPoints: 74183