Michigan Gets Florida In The Peach Bowl Comment Count

Brian December 2nd, 2018 at 4:33 PM

As it was written in the stars: Michigan and Florida will play in a semi-major bowl game after both fail to achieve their regular season goals. A baffling decision given how bored both fanbases must be of this matchup.

This edition of the Gators is in their first year under Dan Mullen and is in the awkward jerky phase when a very good coach takes over for a not so good one. Thus results like a 27-19 win over LSU and a 41-14 whooping of FSU coexist with a 38-17 loss to Mizzou and 27-16 loss to Kentucky. 

S&P+'s spreadsheets are down for updating at the moment but the overall rankings are up at Football Outsiders. Florida ranks 14th, with the #27 offense and #26 defense. S&P+ makes Michigan a 6-point favorite on a neutral field.

You may remember some of their key players: Feleipe Franks has added 1.3 YPA this year and 15 TDs without increasing his INTs; Lamical Perine and Jordan Scarlett split RB carries down the middle and both average 5.9 YPA. Onetime Michigan target Van Jefferson is their leading receiver, although like Michigan this is a situation where there are a bunch of guys in about the same range in an offense that doesn't throw a ton.

Fuller analysis later.

Comments

J.

December 2nd, 2018 at 9:19 PM ^

Question:

What do Nebraska, Northwestern, Purdue, Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa, Ole Miss, Alabama, Arkansas, Texas A&M, Mississippi State, and Auburn have in common?

Answer:

During the past four seasons, each of them will have played their respective conference foe, Michigan or Florida, fewer times than Michigan will have played Florida.

(Florida and Auburn haven't played since 2011).

Muttley

December 2nd, 2018 at 6:34 PM ^

Sometimes the players have to fight what is obvious to the fans.  Michigan has done this before, while Florida is bound to be motivated to avoid going 0-3 against Michigan.  (Although that feeling didn't help us against OSU.)

What should motivate those that will return is the competition for 2019 PT.  For those in the NFL draft mix that choose to play, their play is going on tape.  For those not returning and not in the NFL draft mix, it's their last football hurrah.

 

bronxblue

December 2nd, 2018 at 7:29 PM ^

Yeah, I don't think the team is going to give up or anything, but it's still the third time Michigan has played Florida under Harbaugh while this is Mullen's first bowl at UF coming off a terrible season last year.

Michigan is the better, more complete team here.  I just get nervous when the general consensus is that Michigan should roll these guys.

rogerwaters

December 2nd, 2018 at 6:00 PM ^

Jmblue. I was at the game. I watched the team walk out of their area in ohio stadium, about 15 minutes before the official kickoff time. They seemed flat. Chase seemed to be the only one who remotely fired up. Perhaps that is the way they conduct themselves before all the games. But it seemed odd to me.  I never went back to see the DVR of the game for obvious reasons. 

Sundance466

December 3rd, 2018 at 4:27 PM ^

Feleipe Franks isn't Dwayne Haskins.

Mullen should be able to manufacture some offense, but I'd be surprised if Florida gets out of the teens.

This has the makings of Michigan pre-Indiana and post-Nebraska. Wear a team down over 4 quarters, play great defense, keep it close for 3 quarters despite dominating the stat sheet and eye test.

ppToilet

December 2nd, 2018 at 4:42 PM ^

I'm going to call my psychiatrist. First, because of the stupidity of those who set up the re-rematch (which, btw ESPN, Michigan won twice including the Citrus in 2016). And, second, because that Peach Bowl logo looks incredibly dirty to me.

Blue Sharpie

December 2nd, 2018 at 6:19 PM ^

I think you do need a Psychiatrist.  

At 10-2, this was the best possible outcome for us.  The bowl choices were Fiesta or Peach,  and opponent choices were LSU, UCF, or Florida.  We got the best bowl and the best opponent.  Peach is in Atlanta, great for recruiting, closer for traveling.  Florida is the best opponent for national interest and also for recruiting. 

Please everyone stop crying.  We are playing in a high profile New Years Six bowl! 

Take a look at 10-2 Wazzu.  They really got screwed with a nothing bowl.

ppToilet

December 2nd, 2018 at 6:52 PM ^

This isn't crying - it's Groundhog Day. I'm fine with the Peach Bowl. I would rather Michigan played LSU or UCF. In my book, New Years Eve is 12/31 and New Years Day is 1/1. You can call it NY6 but it isn't on either day; you can also say your farts don't stink. I'm reserving the right to call BS on both.

Anyway, I am happy with the possibility of 11 wins and (hopefully) a big win over Florida will set the tone for next year.

Blue Sharpie

December 2nd, 2018 at 7:03 PM ^

We play all BIG east teams every year.  We play Notre Dame frequently.  This is just the 5th time in the history of Michigan football we play Florida.  

Peach bowl is on the same saturday as the two playoff games, so it it a great day to play football!

Everyone will be watching!  

 

Not worth crying over.  Plenty of story lines that make this interesting. (Unless we lose)