Peach Bowl – Florida vs Michigan
The Game
Here we go!
It’s a very nice Big Ten vs SEC match-up on the agenda as Michigan takes on Florida in the Peach Bowl. YES, it’s true we have seen these teams play a couple of times recently, but these are two high profile programs that should provide us with an entertaining and competitive game. Michigan is coming off a DEMOLITION at the hands of Ohio St and will try to get off the mat and bag a win for momentum heading into the offseason. Florida is a clear step behind Georgia in the SEC East BUT they have a chance to really close the gap with the athletes on hand led by one of the best head coaches around.
It’s go time!
The Details
Michigan -7 Florida (50.5)
MEGALOCKS LINE – Michigan -5
“Vegas” Implied Projected Score: Michigan 28.75 Florida 21.75
The Match-Up:
Michigan offense vs Florida defense
Shea Patterson gave the Wolverines legit QB play for the first time in a while and it showed up in the win-loss column (10-2). The only games that he failed to lead the team to victory were vs Notre Dame and Ohio St. Patterson had a 21-5 TD to INT ratio (65%) during the regular season and may have to do more of the heavy lifting in this game given the departure of star RB Karan Higdon (1,178, 10 TD). That is a big hole to fill and we will see a committee approach on the ground led by Chris Evans (403, 5.4). Michigan should be able to have success pounding the ball against a Gators’ rush D that is ranked #73 in the FBS, although we don’t have high hopes for many big runs. The WR duo of Donovan Peoples-Jones and Nico Collins will have to step up (combined 13 TDs) along with their excellent receiving TE Zack Gentry (15.8). Patterson is dangerous moving around and hitting guys downfield when he extends the play with his legs. It will be interesting to see how much extra time he can buy against a speed Florida D. The Gators are #18 in the FBS in pass efficiency D and will provide a stern test for Patterson. Florida can also achieve decent PENETRATION as evidenced by their 32 sacks.
Florida offense vs Michigan defense
Not many folks realize it but the Gators offense can get things done. They do most of their damage on the ground (#27 rushing FBS) and are sneaky efficient (#36) with a passing game that doesn’t have any “name” talent (yet) at WR. The Gators do not have a 500-yard receiver but 10 different players have caught a TD pass. QB Felipe Franks had a fine 23-6 TD to INT ratio (299 attempts) during the regular season and has enough mobility to give Michigan some problems. Franks’ 45 yards rushing vs Florida St was a season high for him. The Gators’ ground game features a trio of RBs (Perine, Scarlett, Pierce) that have combined for almost 1,900 yards and 12 TDs. Florida is coming off a game vs Florida St (#4 rush D ACC) in which they rumbled for 282 yards on the ground. HC Dan Mullen and friends have plenty of time to come up with a creative and effective game plan that should be able to take advantage of Michigan being down a PAIR of NFL-caliber stars (LB Devin Bush, DL Rashan Gary; combined 8.5 sacks). The Michigan D is still rock solid but it remains to be seen how they will match-up without their two stars and with a little less swagger than normal after getting ripped to shreds by Ohio St.
Trends, Intangibles and More!
Michigan was a handy winner over Florida in last year’s season opener (33-17) and also laid a PRISON-STYLE BEATING on the Gators in the 2015 Citrus Bowl (41-7)……Michigan has a new sheriff in town at PK in Jake Moody who is 8/8 on FG attempts (none from 40+) and Florida has an excellent PK in Evan McPherson (15/17)…..Don’t expect too many points to be left on the board….Amaze your ANNOYING CHATTERBOX CO-WORKER with this trivia nugget…..This one is thanks to the awesome website CollegeFootballNews…..The last time a Big Ten team played in the Peach Bowl was back in 1990 when Auburn beat Indiana……Team MEGALOCKS was there.
Summary
This feels like a lot of points to give the Gators. HC Dan Mullen has brought a yuuuuuge upgrade in the coaching and leadership department and this program could be nationally relevant again as early as next season. They should be jacked up for this one and we don’t see much of a talent disparity with the rosters available to each squad. It probably can’t hurt having the game in Atlanta.
Conclusion
Official play – Florida +7
Total: Lean to the over. This game should get into the 50s.
As always:
‘Lean’ implies we are comfortable suggesting ‘small potatoes’ on the game. Nothing more. < but always stay tuned for updates >
‘Slight lean’ implies we are almost certain to avoid the game and/or total from a betting standpoint even for ‘small potatoes’. We give an opinion for those who need to get down and want advice.