Michigan 19, Alabama 16.

[THE_WIZARD_]

Which is greater...Michigan apathy or Husker apathy?

[lineygoblue]

I believe its Allegant Airlines that is running a special all this month out of Flint, to both Orlando and Ft. Meyers where each way a non stop flight is $39.00. It'd be easy to take advantage of that, rent a car and drive over to Tampa Bay for the game.

To me, its not even worth that. That Alabama QB Milroe is going to feast on M.

[Jeff Buchanan]

I will likely end-up with an extra ticket. It's from our tailgate pool, I'll need permission to offer it which I doubt will be a problem. It will be in the M section (where that is I don't know until I get the digital ticket. LMK

[lineygoblue]

I'll think it over, Jeff. Let me look at some of the prices for hotels and car rentals.

[lineygoblue]

The promotion from Allegiant is over. Had to buy tickets about a week ago at that price.

[THE_WIZARD_]

FB_IMG_1734326025000.jpg

[Cody_Russell]

M 13
Bama 34

The sandbagging is strong with my prediction, but have you seen the opt out list? Woof. On one hand, the bowl games have been more competitive and entertaining than the playoff games so far. On the other hand, I don’t recognize 99%+ of the players in the bowl games. Excluding Kyle (Honda) McCord vs Washington State’s 3rd string D last night. I did recognize that name!


Only a monsoon with rainy weather conditions will save M. Then at least they could play their style in an attempt to pull off a big upset.

It was cool to see Underwood getting some practice reps and hanging out with the team:

[lineygoblue]

Seriously, are any starters playing for Michigan in this game? Offense, defense, just about everybody is either in the portal, out of eligibility, or opting out of the game for the NFL combine.

[THE_WIZARD_]

Time for My Sherrona to create more SHOCK & AWE BABY!!!!!11111

[WM Wolverine]

Everyone is transferring or opting for the draft

[Jeff Buchanan]

It's going to be an M 2-deep roster that only a few names will be recognizable. I found this very limited info on likely starters:

Davis Warren QB #1, ? #2 (Alex Orji is practicing along with Jayden Davis. Orji is taking 2nd team reps)

Jordan Marshall will be the No. 1 running back with Benjamin Hall as the backup.

Evan Link at LT, 6-foot-8 freshman Andrew Sprague at RT

On the DL: TJ Guy, Derrick Moore, Rashaun Berry, Trey Pierce are the Ones, Backing them up Cam Brandt, Dominik Nochols, Enow Etta, Ike Iwunnah. Jaishawn Barham at LB, the back-end looks the same minus Will Johnson.

That's about all I could confirm as seen in M's first practice.

[Jeff Buchanan]

Good read on Michigan's game from SB Nation's Alabama website: The author predicts M will score 13 points.

https://www.rollbamaroll.com/2024/12/29/24331215/alabama-football-vs-michigan-what-you-need-to-know-about-the-wolverines-offense

We'll have #71 Evan Link at LT, ? transfer or roster b/u #55 Efobi at LG, at C returning 2024 starter Greg Crippen, at RG returning 2024 starter Al-Hadi and RF # 54 Sprague at RT. Not great and if the run or pass OL has problems, 13 points for the M offense might be too high. According to the author the Alabama interior rush D has shown some weaknesses late in the season. I don't see any major changes in the plays we'll see run by M. The offense will remain inside zone run heavy. If Jayden Davis gets meaningful snaps (not in packages) we could see some RPO action as that will be a feature of the 2025 offense if Bryce Underwood starts at any point in next season.

The M D looks capable of preventing a blow-out win for the Tide but doubt they will keep them under 13 points if that turns out to be M's ceiling..

I'm going to this game on a day trip from Fort Lauderdale and have zero expectations. I look forward to seeing a glimpse of the 2025 team, esp. QB Jayden Davis and M's receivers. The RB room should also be interesting. Lots of stuff to scout. None of the early enrollees can play and I don't think transer Alabama RB, Justin Haynes will play.

Last season's TE coach, Steve Casulua, is the interim OC. New OC Chip Lindsey's part in the bowl game is unknown. Wink Martindale coached a great game v. OSU but the ReliaQuest game v. Alabama is a different animal altogether. So many intangibles that were a factor hurting OSU, none of those will be present in Tampa.

[Cody_Russell]

Seriously, are any starters playing for Michigan in this game? Offense, defense, just about everybody is either in the portal, out of eligibility, or opting out of the game for the NFL combine.

A LOT of backups for M.
Reading between the lines, it sounds like M is treating this bowl game like a glorified spring practice game. Similar to Miami (FL) yesterday and how Cam Ward only played one half.

All of the opt outs. Talk of very young players getting snaps to see what they can do. I think people underestimate how valuable Graham and Grant are to the team. Two 1st RD DTs changes how a team plays against you. Plus you have the revenge factor in favor of Bama. All of the players pissed off about the Rose Bowl loss and Kalen DeBoer’s national championship loss to M.

All of this adds up to M getting destroyed. I just don’t see it. Not that it matters. Getting the M vs OSU win makes the season a success. Be in the mindset of being excited to see what 2025 has to come.

[Cody_Russell]

M looks great in their traditional uniforms! Yay, one thing to be proud of.

As someone that has sadly watched a ton of Lions preseason games, I know how to be in the mindset of this meaningless game:
- M will be Death Star nuked. No chance. None. Not with the players missing and their mindset.
- Looking forward to see what the young guys can do. Marshall, Hall, the WRs/ TEs. Can the OLine be OK and anyone on defense show promise?

Go Blue! LOL about the impending destruction. Who cares though…

[THE_WIZARD_]

Hanging with the Tide!! SHOCK THE AWE!!!!!1111