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

[Kstat]

[AlabamAlum]

Clemson-OSU should be a great game.

[WingsFan]

[Jeff Buchanan]

Easy call that OSU was dropping.

I'm surprised. day may be smug along with osu fans but dabo is worse and so are Clemson fans. I'll be rooting for the bucknutz. CY and JF will be the men ...... assuming they play???

[AlabamAlum]

JF will def play.

[Jeff Buchanan]

Per CBS, Westgate opens with Clemson at -2.5 over osu.

Can Lawrence take the top off Mattison's 1-H man forced into 2-Hi zone?

[hack]

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.

I agree with this. The bowl game at this point needs to be primarily an exercise in creating a positive narrative for the offseason.

[iam416]

Clemson is gonna rail OSU.

[AlabamAlum]

No.

[Jeff Buchanan]

Well, what we might want compared to the reality of what the bowl season is all about in the FBS/CFP era has to be dealt with. The narrative should begin with the notion that while M football may be playing on the margins, there's serious intent to get beyond that.

Of course we know there are systemic obstacles, some of them self imposed, but the recruits dont. M has great appeal. Playing a top opponent like Alabama in a bowl is nothing to dismiss nor should there be hand wringing about what kind of narrative develops of M loses. Lots to gain, not a lot to lose, IMO.

[WM Wolverine]

Tough call on LSU and Ohio State, those two are really close. Might've given Buckeyes the edge with them having no one score games. Huge difference between #3 & #4 this year, almost feel sympathy. ????

[lineygoblue]

Its official. Michigan v Alabama in the Citrus.

http://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2019/12/08/michigan-football-citrus-bowl-alabama/4374164002/

Alabama 56
Michigan 7

Michigan gets the 7 if Saban has a great time at his New Years Eve party.

[paul daugherity]

[Dr. Strangelove]

Fiesta Bowl: Ohio State vs Clemson
Rose Bowl: Wisconsin vs Oregon
Cotton Bowl: Penn State vs Memphis (G5 representative)
Citrus Bowl: Michigan vs Alabama
Outback Bowl: Minnesota vs Auburn
Holiday Bowl: Iowa vs USC
Gator Bowl: Indiana vs Kentucky
Pinstripe Bowl: Michigan State vs Wake Forest
RedBox Bowl: Illinois vs California

[lineygoblue]

What it IS going to be:

a. Great recruiting tool for Alabama, .. as if they need more.
b. Great for Alabama fans, a nearby game where they can end their season with a win.
c. TV Networks and Bowl execs rake in the cash from sponsors
d. Great for the Orlando area as thousands of Bama fans, and some Michigan fans come to town to spend money. As if they need more with the Mouse living there.
e. Another exhibition for the SEC to thump its chest by beating an under-matched opponent.
f. Another nail in the coffin for Michigan's recruiting efforts, especially in the southeast.
g. Great material for ESPN, Paul Finebaum and any other Michigan haters as they watch the Wolverines flail away hopelessly at an over-matched opponent.
h. Great day for MSU fans, OSU fans, PSU fans, and anyone else that wants to watch Michigan lose another high profile game.

What it will NOT be

a. A big payday for Michigan attending a bowl game. Most of what Michigan will make will be spent in travel and lodging costs involved in the trip.
b. Recruiting tool for Michigan. Really?
c. Benefit of extended practices for a bowl game. Did this help last year?
d. Good start for next season. How so?
e. Fun day for Michigan fans in Florida's vacation land. Well, maybe if you spend your time visiting the Mouse or Universal.
f. TV exposure for Michigan. What for? To further expose how weak they are against this level of competition?

It makes no sense for the people on State Street to continue to place Michigan in these situations. No sense at all. Even the money doesn't make up for the embarrassment and humiliation that awaits in Orlando. This is not sandbagging. Its the truth of what is coming.