2016 citrus bowl

Michigan vs Florida In The Citrus Bowl Comment Count

Brian

1990_1-1_Citrus_Bowl_Guide[1]

The Oldest Bloggers In Existence bowl is on again. Points are projected to be a bit less than last time, as Florida enters with a brutal defense and an equally brutal offense, albeit in opposite directions.

S&P+ likes the Gators a lot more than humans do: they rank 16th, with the #5 defense and #58 offense—though that former number is generous since it includes a number of games that QB Will Grier started before he was suspended for a positive PED test. Since his exit the Florida offense has struggled. Like… nine points against Vandy struggled.

If Jake Rudock is healthy, as he is supposed to be, you'd think Michigan will be favored by a few points despite the road game.

Comments

Harbaughs_Pants

December 6th, 2015 at 6:07 PM ^

I don't know if this is a good draw or not. I watched the Fla/Ala game and that Florida offense is offensive. If we were to lose to that team, it may be hard to live down. This game is for the recruits on the fence. Lets run the score up!

Joined: 11/25/2015

MGoPoints: -99669

maize-blue

December 6th, 2015 at 6:21 PM ^

I predicting a close probably low scoring game. Once again, I don't think we'll move the ball on the ground. The passing game and keeping Rudock upright as much as possible will be the key. It'll be interesting to watch the defense and the scheme they use now that Durkin is gone.

Joined: 01/10/2013

MGoPoints: 44662

Wolfman

December 6th, 2015 at 8:09 PM ^

during practice that gives us a big lift on the offensive side of the ball. If you want to play strength vs,.weakness, and every coach does, I don't think I'd be off target if I guessed that JP's role on defense will be lightened greatly during this contest because I think the other 10 + whomever they gives Pepper's snaps to on the defensive side can get the job done. This would enable JP to be a very real part of the offense, and would probably offset the huge advantage FL enjoys in their front 7. We've seen him used in a multiple number of ways on offense, receiver, the cat, taking direct hand-offs both as TB and in jet sweep action. No doubt, FL is aware of this. Hell the nation is at this point. But JH will add even more wrinkles and he'll ask JR to get him the ball when possible because he is, when all is said and done, our most dangerous offensive weapon.

Of course we'll go with what works: Jake to Jake and Jake to Jehu for chunks. Been good for us. Florida is very aggressive on D as we all know. I'm guessing we'll counter with slipping Peppers out of the backfield on screens as well as using him in the same manner from the slot. I think we probably have enough, if JR is fully healed to put up sufficient numbers w/our offense the way it is. I think we might actually be able to gain a comfortable lead if we utilize our most dangerous weapon as often as possible.

Joined: 07/23/2008

MGoPoints: 8259

bronxblue

December 6th, 2015 at 7:18 PM ^

This is going to be a rough game to watch, but UM's offense is good enough to get some yards and I don't see a world in which UF gets consistent rushing lanes, even with Glasgow out.  I mean, it seems like people still think Florida is good because they are "Florida", but this is a team that needed OT to score 20 points against FAU.  And while their defense is quite impressive, UM's isn't terrible when they aren't trying to defend a run-option spread attack, and Florida is definitely not one of those teams.

Joined: 11/22/2008

MGoPoints: 171787

SlickNick

December 6th, 2015 at 7:57 PM ^

I expect Florida to come out strong with lots of time to game plan/get healthy before the game...their defense isn't as bad as people say. I love that we have a coaching staff that we can feel comfortable they will have the team ready to go. Michigan 28 Florida 17 Go Blue

Joined: 09/28/2015

MGoPoints: 6037

WolverineHistorian

December 6th, 2015 at 8:26 PM ^

Game 1 vs. Florida

The Chris Perry Show, the screen pass used to perfection all day and the stupidest end around pass call in history...thank you, Ron Zook.

 

Game 2 vs. Florida

Mike Hart keeps fumbling for the first time in 3 years, Adrian Arrington makes catches he switches behind his back, Henne throws for 1,000 yards and Michigan beats a team led by a quarterback who can walk on water and cure cancer with his smile.

 

Game 3 vs. Florida

My guess:  Some defense, probably, for the first time.  I won't predict anymore as I fully believe I might jinx the outcome...because I have the powers to do that. 

Joined: 08/10/2009

MGoPoints: 55466

Don

December 6th, 2015 at 8:34 PM ^

and plenty of those losses came when we were the favorite and Michigan fans were reveling in victory before the game started. We're going to have to knock off a long string of wins before I go into any bowl game feeling cocky.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 148379

xtramelanin

December 6th, 2015 at 10:02 PM ^

team in virtually every game.  we always play warm weather teams on their turf.  even when we play a team like washington in the rose bowl they have something like 1/2 or  2/3 of their roster from california.  

as was mentioned earlier on, it would be so much fun to play these slick programs in the snow and cold.  try that on for size bama/clemson/baylor, etc. 

Joined: 12/09/2014

MGoPoints: 15439

BlowGoo

December 6th, 2015 at 9:01 PM ^

Me too.  I've been a pessimist since UT beat us for the Rose Bowl.

Our weakness at DT is a large, large, Achilles' heel.

Florida will have much time to prepare and exploit it.  They most definitely have the players who can.

Everything else I feel great about.  But the weakness of the DL really makes us vulnerable.

 

That said, I would never have expected us to be at the Citrus at the beginning of the season!

 

And even with my pessimism, I still think this is our weakest Harbaugh year.  It gets better, season by season, from here on out!

Joined: 10/16/2011

MGoPoints: 7078

Steve in PA

December 6th, 2015 at 9:19 PM ^

One thing that has always bothered me and perpetuated (started) the myth of the BigTen being inferior to the SEC was our teams always play up in the bowl games vs the SEC.  In this example the #4 BigTen team will play the #3 SEC team according to rankings.  But, we finished 3rd in our division while Florida won theirs.

An even matchup would be Michigan playing Arkansas or LSU but nobody wants to see that.

I'm not worried.  But, unless the BigTen has a good bowl season we'll hear how wildly overrated the BigTen was this year.  Just Win!

 

The Matchups by Division Standings

Sparty (1) vs Alabama (1)

Michigan (3) vs Florida (1)

Northwestern (2) vs Tennessee (2)

Penn State (4) vs Georgia (3)

 

Joined: 08/10/2009

MGoPoints: 6327

Avon Barksdale

December 6th, 2015 at 9:30 PM ^

One thing that could make a difference: Florida kick game has been abysmal. Their kicker is like 5-16 on the year, but he did kick a game winner vs Vandy from 40 yards out. Hopefully we can shut them down and watch him miss a few field goals.

Early guess: Michigan 17 | Florida 13

Joined: 04/27/2013

MGoPoints: 12859

steve sharik

December 6th, 2015 at 9:33 PM ^

McElwain and the Gators will install read option for this game. They'll have film on us (duh) and they run out of the spread. They haven't run read yet, but I'm guessing that's b/c they had a passer and then had to adjust on the fly. Now, with 3+ weeks to prepare, they know their QB can't throw accurately at all but is a good athlete, and that we've been horrendous defending read option. Hopefully Michigan won't assume they won't run the QB b/c they haven't all season.

Joined: 08/08/2009

MGoPoints: 13860

PeteM

December 6th, 2015 at 10:52 PM ^

But I assume that Michigan's defensive staff and players will be looking at what they did wrong against Indiana and Ohio State as well.  Remember, Penn State tried to folow Indians's game plan and failed.  Obviously, Florida has more time but so do we.  Losing Durkin (whatever his strengths/weaknesses) worries me as it means we have to reshuffle that staff a bit while preparing.

Joined: 09/15/2008

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