Fansided

Orange Bowl, Michigan vs Florida State: Preview and predictions

By Nathaniel Reeves

Nov 12, 2016; Iowa City, IA, USA; Michigan Wolverines linebacker Jabrill Peppers (5) carries the ball as Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Desmond King (14) defends during the first half at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2016; Iowa City, IA, USA; Michigan Wolverines linebacker Jabrill Peppers (5) carries the ball as Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Desmond King (14) defends during the first half at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Here’s what to watch for when the Michigan Wolverines take on the Florida State Seminoles in the 2016 Orange Bowl on Friday Night.

The New Year’s Six will get underway on Friday night with one of the best matchups of the postseason. The Michigan Wolverines square off with the Florida State Seminoles in the 2016 Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium.

Jim Harbaugh led Michigan to its best regular season since 2011 with a record of 10-2. The No. 5 Wolverines were in playoff position for much of the year prior to a double-overtime loss to Ohio State and will be motivated to salvage something out of the season after falling one spot short.

Michigan owned the nation’s second-best scoring defense at 12.5 points per game. The unit was led by an outstanding secondary that includes Heisman finalist and do-it-all playmaker Jabrill Peppers, along with outstanding cornerback Jourdan Lewis.

Florida State entered the season with playoff expectations and was ranked as high as No. 2 at one point before eventually finishing at 9-3. Since a tough loss to Clemson at the end of October, the Seminoles have won four straight games, including a blowout of rival Florida to end the year.

Running back Dalvin Cook is one of the most explosive players in the country and racked up over 2,000 total yards and 19 touchdowns heading into the Orange Bowl. Defensive end DeMarcus Walker was a pass rushing force with 15 sacks, although the Seminoles defense was shaky at times and suffered a lot of key injuries.

Michigan opened as a touchdown favorite in what should be an entertaining Orange Bowl.

Odds

Spread: Michigan -7

Moneyline: Michigan -265, Florida State +225

O/U: 58

The Seminoles have the talent to compete with anybody in the nation, but will face a major challenge in the trenches on Friday night.

Michigan sacked opposing quarterbacks on 12.5 percent of their dropbacks, the best mark in the nation by a healthy amount. Taco Charlton was the most productive Michigan pass rusher, while linebackers Ben Gedeon and Mike McCray also made their way into the backfield quite often.

That’s going to be a lot to handle for a Florida State offensive line that was a mess against better competition, particularly in pass protection. Freshman quarterback Deondre Francois turned in a good season overall, but Michigan is the type of defense that could force a lot of mistakes from a young signal caller.

Walker and Florida State’s defense ranked second behind Michigan with a sack percentage of 11.05 percent. The difference is Michigan’s versatile offensive line did a reasonably good job of protecting Wilson Speight, and the Wolverines were one of the best teams in the nation at avoiding giveaways as a result.

Next: 20 Greatest College Running Backs In The Modern Era

Cook’s explosive ability will help keep the Seminoles in the game, even if he’s matched up often against Peppers, and Speight looked shaky in his last game after returning from a broken collarbone. Still, the Wolverines have too many weapons with guys like Jake Butt and Amara Darboh for Florida State’s defense, particularly with star safety Derwin James still out.

Prediction: Michigan 35, Florida State 21

Home/College Football