2020 Citrus Bowl Alabama v. Michigan, January 1st, 1:00 PM EST, ABC

[Jeff Buchanan]

Nope. osu will drill OU and meet Clemson in the NC.

[iam416]

[Jeff Buchanan]

Nope. osu stays and should stay at #1. No reason to drop them.

[iam416]

[Jeff Buchanan]

Well, you thought the game was over at sometime around 10pm.

Your cred here is shot.

[lineygoblue]

The game everyone wants to see is LSU v OSU.

Nobody cares about Clemson v Oklahoma or (fill in the blank) That's the JV game.

Suit them up, blow the whistle, kick the ball and let them play.

[Jeff Buchanan]

Those that pick bowl participants seem to favor M v. Alabama in the Citrus, Orlando, January 1st. Its a 1pm kick on ABC.

Outlier pickers are saying Holiday in SD v. USC. The Holiday Bowl will be dropped as a BT bowl tie in next season.

Seems like the media sense is that some UAT players are going to sit. Nothing conclusive in the link. AA?

https://www.al.com/alabamafootball/2019/12/alabamas-tua-tagovailoa-will-support-any-teammates-forgoing-bowl-game.html

I'm fine with it. Orlando is a short trip for me. Planning on going if there, not to SD though. The match-up isn't good. If there is one thing that is obvious about the predominance of osu right now in CFB is that they have an absolutely dominating OL and DL. While CFB certainly has morphed, teams that control the LOS still control the game and force opponents to play their game, at the speed they choose. osu's 2nd half v. Wisconsin was proof of that. Masteful. Bama isn't at osu's level this season but they are close. M will have a hard time.

I also thought it was interesting to see Wisconsin, like M tried to do but couldn't execute early on, was make osu play from behind. Good thought ....... very impressed with how osu (day) seemed to adapt and try stuff after getting behind - no scripting for him it appeared but rather plays based on the flow of the game. The fake punt from the Wisconsin 30 or something was an example. There other examples. Klatt noted it when osu finally got the lead in the 3rd. Very aggressive play when called for to reverse momentum and perfectly executed. Chryst, OTH, similar to Harbaugh, tried to reassert control with Taylor and the run game. Some poor run play calls in the second half when Coan seemed to be hitting Cephus and the other receiver when needed. No secret that when osu gets a 2 score lead, they are very aggressive on run and pass blitzing. You want to beat osu, get ahead and keep it that way ..... matching score for score after that lead is established and going balls to the wall to do it. LSU? Clemson? I don't think so. osu is peaking, albeit some injuries at play - but this osu team as it is currently structured and coached, may be the best, most complete and most dominant CFB team in a long time.

[AlabamAlum]

We could have a couple sit.

And the UAT shit is weak and stale Talent sass. We are UA or Bama or Alabama or Ala-Fuckin-Bama. We are not a directional or city school any more than Michigan is Umaa or Ohio State is TOSUC.

Sass has a shelf life. That shit stopped being clever when Clinton was in office.

[Jeff Buchanan]

Easy short-hand on my phone. Everybody knows who it is.

UAT

[lineygoblue]

Label them however you like.

Fact is, Alabama has players on its 2 and 3 deep that could be starting for Michigan right now. Just because a Tide starter or two decides to take the day off on NYD doesn't mean that they still can't stomp Michigan into a grease spot. Michigan doesn't have anyone on the roster that comes close to matching the talent level of Najee Harris, or anyone on defense that can consistently contain him. Saban can come in with a very basic running game scheme, and beat Michigan easily.

Same can be said for Auburn, only with different names.

I wish Bowl selections were made with competitive balance in mind, instead of what bowl promoters think will bring the most bucks. Michigan should be matched up against another team of similar talent and accomplishments, and not some team that could easily be in the playoffs. But, bowl season is "all about the Benjamins" (with apologies to Rep Omar) and not about competitive balance.

I think M vs Alabama has the potential to backfire in the $$ department. In years past, M fans would lay down in front of a Greyhound bus, to get tickets to a game like that. Today, I don't think that kind of enthusiasm will be there. Citrus Bowl promoters are going to think that M vs Alabama gives them a "marquee" game that will rival the playoffs in fan interest, but I think M fans will remember what has happened in Michigan's last few bowl games against SEC teams where they have been overmatched, and decide to stay home and keep their money. I'm sure Michigan will sell a lot of tickets, but I don't think it will be anything like bowl promoters are hoping for.

I have no idea how Alabama fans will respond. It could go either way, I suppose. Either way, if they choose to go to the game, Alabama fans will see their team win, and Paul Finebaum will smile, and have yet another year of material to hate Harbaugh with.

[Kstat]

[lineygoblue]

I agree. They aren't intended to be competitive.

Problem is, for Michigan to get back to competing for championships again, they have to recruit better. Losing a high profile bowl game to start the year is not a good start, when potential signees are likely watching. It just puts us further behind.

[Kstat]

I agree. They aren't intended to be competitive.

Problem is, for Michigan to get back to competing for championships again, they have to recruit better. Losing a high profile bowl game to start the year is not a good start, when potential signees are likely watching. It just puts us further behind.

[lineygoblue]

I guess we'll see come future signing days.

[iam416]

Easy call that OSU was dropping.