Citrus Bowl eyeing Michigan-Alabama
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.
December 4th, 2019 at 12:30 PM ^
Alabama 62- Michigan 42
December 4th, 2019 at 1:05 PM ^
62-24
December 4th, 2019 at 12:30 PM ^
Could be the death knell for Michigan football. You think OSU was bad? That will feel like a Swedish massage compared to what Bama will do to this team. I wonder if there is anything Warde can do behind the scenes to get Michigan in the Holiday Bowl?
December 4th, 2019 at 12:51 PM ^
I didn't really expect to have to say this to anyone because it's so obvious, but this year's Ohio State would beat this year's Alabama by 35. OSU would run through Bama's defense like shit through a tin horn.
December 4th, 2019 at 1:13 PM ^
I don't know about by 35 because I think Alabama could score on OSU's defense as well, but you're right that Alabama's defense is not nearly as dominate this year as year's past. OSU would have their way on offense.
December 4th, 2019 at 1:16 PM ^
It'd be like a 62-35 game. So maybe 4 scores, not 5.
December 4th, 2019 at 12:33 PM ^
Risk vs Reward:
Risk: lose to bama, which everyone would expect, and give one more loss in bowl games under Harbaugh to the media pundits, and be exactly in the same position with recruiting as we would be with a win against a second tier bowl game. ( losing to a second tier team in a bowl game could hurt recruiting more in my opinion).
Reward: win, and it proves that we can hang with top tier teams to recruits, and current players on the team.
A huge boost in confidence for the fanbase would carry over to positive vibes for the players and coaches who read anything social media. ( everyone reads it and pays attention to it no matter how many times they tell the media in press conferences they don't...they are human).
Resume feat for Jim Harbaugh to be one of the coaches who have been able to beat Saban " the greatest college coach of all time"...( helps in recruiting battles against bamma/ remember Dax Hill, Deshawn Hand etc)
I'm sure there's more but I don't have time at the moment. I might edit below later, but I believe there is more reward to the risk and I hope this does happen. How often will we get a shot at playing a top tier team other than Ohio State that could change the Narrative?
This is that shot.
I think the reward outweighs the risk.
December 4th, 2019 at 12:50 PM ^
You act like winning or losing is some probability event like a roulette wheel.
We can't stand up to physical OLs. Period. End of story.
There is no "we might win" random thing that might happen.
December 4th, 2019 at 3:02 PM ^
"We can't stand up to physical OLs. Period."
Hey, maybe our world class defensive coordinator with a month to prepare can whip up a new plan after seeing it in action against a different OL. If not, then at least we have another data point to consider in whether or not to keep him around.
Best case scenario, the Ohio game is an aberation against a team who spends literally all year preparing for us and is motivated to beat us like nobody's business. If we win, hell, if we lose a close, hard fought battle like Penn State vs USC in the Rose Bowl a few year ago, we can use that momentum on the recruiting trail to bring in some more top tier talent.
Worst case scenario, it's another season ending loss for a team that does that every single year. Against Alabama, which is the most understandable loss a team can have. Plus, if a few players like Nico (if he plays) or DPJ or Shea can at least have a big game, the staff can say "we're not that far behind, come be a playmaker for a team that only needs a few more to be elite.
We get blown out, fuck it, we lose bowl games all the time. No different than any other year.
December 4th, 2019 at 7:34 PM ^
You convinced me, let's play Florida again
December 4th, 2019 at 12:33 PM ^
hard pass
December 4th, 2019 at 12:35 PM ^
Ah yes. The annual December "dick pushed in game" Michigan has been so accustom to playing.
December 4th, 2019 at 12:37 PM ^
How's Shea's PTSD from his time at Ole Miss?
December 4th, 2019 at 12:48 PM ^
Our DC needs more practice against good teams?? WTF ...
December 4th, 2019 at 12:51 PM ^
Hard pass. Sick of the 2 game losing streaks to end every season.
December 4th, 2019 at 1:03 PM ^
Please god no. It will be another epic beatdown.
December 4th, 2019 at 1:16 PM ^
Well.....if you want to talk about something that would really help end the season on a high note, beating Alabama would certainly do it.
Got to hope that they have a bunch of guys sit and that Michigan players get psyched up for the game. Also have to hope to god that Najee sits the game out. Given out DL situation its very likely he could mow them over.
December 4th, 2019 at 1:19 PM ^
Win or lose, a game against good competition should help us get better.
To quote Harbaugh: "Metal sharpens metal."
To quote redneck pickup trucks: "Ain't Skeered"
December 4th, 2019 at 1:19 PM ^
I've checked several different projections today and there's more that have us playing Auburn. I only saw one that has us against Alabama. I have seen a few Minnesota vs. Alabama in the Outback, though! Poor Goophers. And why has Bama fallen so far in public perception? I don't get it. #12? Outback Bowl? Whatever, not my problem.
My personal preference would be USC in the Holiday Bowl. That gives us the best route to victory over a name brand program. It's imperative to avoid losing the last two games 4 seasons in a row.
December 4th, 2019 at 1:26 PM ^
Ugh. We will get destroyed. It will be embarrassing.
December 4th, 2019 at 1:30 PM ^
I prefer Alabama to Auburn.
Alabama is college football royalty and even if we lose (so long as it is not a blowout/shutout) it won't be viewed as negatively.
So if we get Alabama it seems to be a win/win for Michigan. Maybe our players will be more excited about the game than Alabama's and we can catch them unprepared. I just hope we don't have a bunch of guys sitting out for the draft.
December 4th, 2019 at 1:46 PM ^
This wouldn't be ideal, but is it less likely Michigan players sit out if they get to play Bama? Also, would Alabama be checked out like Georgia was last year against LSU after missing the playoff?
This second point would be amplified by the fact that Bama has never missed the playoff.
December 4th, 2019 at 1:48 PM ^
Please, for the love of god no.
December 4th, 2019 at 1:49 PM ^
Yeah....I'd rather not see that game. I mean, I'm gonna watch whoever (whomever?) they end up playing but I don't know what folks saw from Michigan last week that makes them think that playing Alabama is a good idea.
December 4th, 2019 at 1:51 PM ^
I Like it!!!.... generally speaking throughout the years the Citrus Bowl has been the best non NY6 Bowl game and its on New Years in a time slot most of the nation would be watching..two name Brands..It would be Great plus IF were going to beat Bama this MIGHT be the right time..
December 4th, 2019 at 2:03 PM ^
Honestly, Michigan has already played the best team college football. It can't get worse than Ohio state, can it?
December 4th, 2019 at 3:06 PM ^
Ohio State is NOT the best team. Clemson is the best team. Don't give the ACC excuse either as they played in the ACC last year as well. Clemson will beat Ohio State because Venables will contain their offense and Clemson's offense will take what Michigan did to them in the first half and magnify it throughout the entire game. Clemson also has a great running back
December 4th, 2019 at 3:52 PM ^
Im not under valuing Clemson. I think they will beat lsu. However, i do not think their defense can stop Ohio state. Too lethal. OSU defense can absolutely get to their qb and im not entirely sure he's seen a pass rush as good as theirs.
December 4th, 2019 at 2:05 PM ^
bama? oh fuck no.
lets drub someone, I don't care who.... lets curb stomp someone, so we don't wait until next fucking summer to get this catshit taste out of our mouth.
December 4th, 2019 at 2:20 PM ^
Ashamed of so many cowards on this board. Jesus, It's Alabama, a great school with storied traditions. Auburn beat them FYI. They are a mess. If this board is so afraid of them because of the perceived fragility of our team, then why they hell do we root for them anyway? Lets fucking join the MAC and play in Detroit every year. I mean, who wants to go hang out with the best of the best and learn what it takes to play with them? Won't recruits be more impressed with us playing Bum Fuck U than Alabama? Oh yeah, let's beat another nobody instead of "possibly" redeeming ourselves with a great victory over a great team.
You guys are just unbelievable.
December 4th, 2019 at 2:30 PM ^
OK fine, but what more are we going to learn from Alabama that the two teams playing for the B1G championship didn't already teach us?
New Mexico State and Western Carolina also played Alabama this year, are they big boys now too?
Alabama is not a mess. They lost their starting QB and they have made more mental mistakes lately, but that's not a trend I expect to continue. Having players who resort to throwing opponents' shoes into the air doesn't exactly say M is the most disciplined team either.
December 4th, 2019 at 3:11 PM ^
Alabama beat Alabama Saturday. One huge 14 point swing, and another pick 6, 21 point gifts on two plays.
Alabama will rip us apart, you're delusional if you think otherwise.
December 4th, 2019 at 2:25 PM ^
Given the latest CFP rankings, as long as OSU takes care of business here is how the B1G teams likely get placed based upon contractual tie-ins and maximum bowl revenue to the B1G:
- Rose ... Penn State (vs Oregon or Utah)
- Outback ... Wisconsin (vs Auburn)
- Citrus ... Michigan (vs Alabama)
- Holiday ... Iowa (vs USC)
These non NY6 bowls actually submit bid$ to the B1G and then the B1G actually makes the final decision (probably based upon max revenue for the conference). It is a distinct possibility we draw Bama in the Citrus. Just depends on how strong the Citrus bid is and if the SEC also goes along.
Minnesota dropped below Iowa in the CFP rankings so not sure where they go. Gator Bowl could now opt for Notre Dame as its "ACC option" versus taking the next B1G team.
December 4th, 2019 at 2:33 PM ^
Doesn't the Citrus Bowl rank second in the Big Ten's bowl affiliations, before the Outback Bowl, or are the Big Ten's contractual obligations no longer meaningful? LINK
December 4th, 2019 at 2:29 PM ^
Are the contractual obligations for the Big Ten’s bowl affiliations that would make Michigan ineligible to play in either the Citrus Bowl or the Outback Bowl this season no longer meaningful? LINK
If, as expected, Ohio State makes the playoffs, the Rose Bowl gets the next choice of Big Ten teams from among a "cluster" of teams ranked within several spots of each other. I’d guess that Wisconsin (8), Penn State (10) and Michigan (14) could be in that “cluster”, but Michigan lost to both Wisconsin and Penn State, so the Rose Bowl is out for Michigan. Then, the Rose Bowl has a choice between Penn State and Wisconsin.
If Wisconsin plays Ohio State at least as well as Penn State did, but loses to the Buckeyes in the Big Ten championship game for a second time this season, then it would be a tough call for the Rose Bowl. Wisconsin suffered a terrible one-point loss at bowl-eligible Illinois and a 31-point loss at Ohio State, so a close loss in the Big Ten championship game would give Wisconsin two losses to the number one team in the country, but one by a blowout. Penn State lost by 11 at Ohio State when the Nittany Lions were using their backup quarterback and by five at Minnesota. The Rose Bowl's choice could be complicated by the contractual obligations for the Citrus Bowl.
The Citrus Bowl is next in the Big Ten's bowl pecking order. The Citrus Bowl has agreed to select five different teams in six years, if possible, so Penn State, Minnesota and Michigan would be among the teams that would not be eligible this season for the Citrus Bowl. Penn State played in the Citrus Bowl last January. Wisconsin last played in the Citrus Bowl in January 2014. Both of those teams beat Michigan at home, but Wisconsin's win was much more decisive.
Wisconsin has an All-American running back who led the Big Ten in rushing; Michigan may have nothing more than a few first-team, all-conference players. If the only thing that makes a team that finished third in its division (Michigan) more attractive to the Citrus Bowl than a team that won its division championship and beat Michigan (Wisconsin) as an opponent for Alabama is the Saban-Harbaugh matchup, then maybe the Citrus Bowl would be overlooking the facts that (a) Wisconsin has won five consecutive bowl games dating back to the 2014 season LINK and (b) Michigan is 1-5 in bowl games since the 2012 season, albeit getting its only bowl-game win since then in the Citrus Bowl against Florida (41-7) on January 1, 2016 during Harbaugh's first season. LINK
If Penn State goes to the Rose Bowl and Wisconsin goes to the Citrus Bowl, then the Big Ten's contractual obligations for the Rose and Citrus Bowls will have been satisfied.
December 4th, 2019 at 4:44 PM ^
The B1G contractual tie-ins are with the Rose, Citrus, Outback and Holiday. The Rose is NY6 so the highest ranked CFP team is automatic.
Assuming OSU pummels Wisconsin again, PSU goes to the Rose. There is no "pecking order" between Citrus, Outback and Holiday. These bowls are allowed to make financial bids for teams. These bowls are not obligated to take the highest CFP ranked teams.
The Citrus has the highest payout to the B1G, followed by the Outback and then the Holiday. If the Citrus made a financial bid for Michigan vs. Alabama that was materially higher than say Wisconsin vs. Auburn, then the B1G could waive all the other guidelines regarding recent participation if it was in the best interest of the conference. Would they ? Not sure.
Also, the SEC would have to go along. But if this comes down to the largest combined payout from the Citrus + Outback to the SEC and B1G, the Citrus has way more resources than the Outback to make it happen. If not, then we likely get allocated to the Outback versus Auburn.
December 4th, 2019 at 5:31 PM ^
So, contrary to the piece I linked to, the Citrus Bowl can bid for any Big Ten Team it wants without regard to when or how often that team last played in the Citrus Bowl?
Would a 10-3 Wisconsin team that crushed Michigan in their head-to-head meeting, won its division, has an All-American running back who led the Big Ten in rushing and that has a 5-2 record in last seven bowl games be less attractive to the Citrus Bowl than a 9-3 Michigan team that finished third in its division, has no All-Americans and nothing more than a few first-team, all-conference players and that has a 2-5 record in its last seven bowl games?
December 5th, 2019 at 9:19 AM ^
Yes because all that matters in that case in terms of attractiveness is tv ratings and ticket sales. Ticket sales would probably be about the same but there is no contest on the ratings aspect. Michigan still draws far more viewers nationally than Wisky and quite frankly most non Wisky fans find their style of play boring as hell to watch.
December 4th, 2019 at 2:47 PM ^
If you told me 3 months ago that Michigan would play Alabama in January, I'd be thrilled.
December 4th, 2019 at 5:21 PM ^
If you told Gattis that, he would be like, "Man did I do an amazing job! Maybe USC will hire my at their head coach?"
December 4th, 2019 at 2:58 PM ^
From what I've read, the Citrus Bowl new contract means Citrus Bowl will pick a Big 10 team every year, and they can pick whatever Big 10 team they want that is not already in the CFP or a New Year's 6 bowl.
They can and have selected the same team within 6-year spans (LSU in 2016 and 2017, Nebraska 2011 and 2012, South Carolina 2011 and 2013, Georgia 2008 and 2013).
If there were language in the contract that said, "The Citris Bowl will have 5 different teams in 6 years", it has already satisfied that no matter what teams it picks in 2019.
If language said, "The Citris Bowl will have 5 different Big 10 teams in 6 years," it cannot satisfy that no matter which Big 10 team plays in 2019.
December 4th, 2019 at 4:10 PM ^
I don't believe that the Big Ten's existing contract with the Citrus Bowl has been nullified by the contract that will take effect after this season, but if that's the case, then you might be right that the Citrus Bowl could select whatever Big Ten it wants this season, regardless of that team's record, if that team isn't in the playoffs or a New Year's Six Bowl.
If that were the case, could the Citrus Bowl go to a ridiculous extreme and suggest that a matchup between Nick Saban's current team (Alabama) and one of his former teams (Michigan State) would be an attractive matchup, despite Michigan State's 6-6 record, because Saban (a) never got to coach Michigan State in the Citrus Bowl after the 1999 season because he'd already agreed to coach LSU the following season, (b) he'd be coaching against the man who's now the winningest coach in Michigan State football history, (c) it would be a rematch of the playoff semifinal game that Alabama won 38-0 in the 2015 season and (d) Michigan State has a 5-2 record in its last seven bowl games, compared to Michigan's 2-5 record in its last seven bowl games?
Do you have a link to a copy of the contract that the Big Ten signed with the Citrus Bowl, effective with the 2020 season? If so, would you be kind enough to post it here?
December 4th, 2019 at 4:48 PM ^
If language said, "The Citris Bowl will have 5 different Big 10 teams in 6 years," it cannot satisfy that no matter which Big 10 team plays in 2019.
... Unless the Citrus and B1G mutually agree to waive the restriction
December 4th, 2019 at 3:09 PM ^
Talk about getting smoked. Can't wait to see Glasgow or Hudson trying to cover Waddell or Devonte Smith! TORCH TORCH TORCH and then Najee Harris running through our DL. Bama also has good enough athletes to knock the shit out of our receivers. Tariq Black will run his routes 5 yards short or just run out of bounds.
December 4th, 2019 at 3:37 PM ^
I take it that you're the kind of guy that goes straight back to bed at the first sign of adversity?
December 4th, 2019 at 3:13 PM ^
Just no Florida schools, please.
December 4th, 2019 at 3:17 PM ^
Can't wait to see Metellus covering Waddle and Jeudy.
December 4th, 2019 at 3:22 PM ^
Please no, but thanks for asking. After attending all 12 games this season, I have a good idea what Bama will do to our DLine. We are currently undersized and it will look like what Wisconsin and OSU did to us. I won’t go and subject myself to more punishment. If Warde accepts it will be for the money and his foolish pride. Meanwhile, the fan base will have all off season to think about 2 ass kickings to end 2019 as usual. Play somebody we can beat to end on a high note for once.
December 4th, 2019 at 3:33 PM ^
Dear Warde,
Please say no, but thanks for asking. We don't need the money and the attention will be in a bad way. It would look exactly like Wisconsin and OSU games. Our DLine is currently undersized.
After attending all 12 games, I would pass on this one because I don't need further punishment. It is time to regroup and play a game we can win. Then the fan base won't have feel like crap after 2 ass kickings to end season as usual.
Sincerely, Mickblue