Citrus Bowl 2016, Michigan vs. Florida, 41-7: Full highlights, final score and more

Jim Harbaugh and Michigan unleashed the fury on Florida for a huge victory in the 2016 Citrus Bowl

The Michigan Wolverines were just a a couple of heartbreaks away in the 2015 college football season from really doing something special in the first season under new head coach Jim Harbaugh. However, they fell short of anything like the College Football Playoff and were left with a matchup against the Florida Gators in the 2016 Citrus Bowl on New Year’s Day. As you would expect from those two teams, this was a game that looked to be predicated on defense. The problem that emerged for the Gators, though, is that their defense wasn’t nearly as up to the task as Harbaugh’s team.

Michigan and Florida traded blows to start the game and that seemed to set the stage for a back-and-forth, grind it out type of affair in the Citrus Bowl. However, Jake Rudock, Jehu Chesson, and De’Veon Smith had other plans in mind as they started rolling with the Wolverines offense. They went onto score 31 unanswered points and really run away with things for Harbaugh and Michigan.

It’s worth noting that Treon Harris’ inability to get anything going against the Wolverines’ defense was even more of a factor in this game than the offense. Every time Michigan would find the end zone, Florida looked like they didn’t have a prayer of answering. That ultimately resulted in just pure domination by Harbaugh in his return to the bowl season and an emphatic win for the Wolverines in the 2016 Citrus Bowl.

Three stars

Jake Rudock was huge for the Wolverines all day in the Citrus Bowl as the quarterback had one of his best games of the entire season. He finished the day throwing for 278 yards and three touchdown passes.

Jehu Chesson couldn’t be contained, even by one of the best cornerbacks in college football, on Friday afternoon. The Michigan receiver ended up with five catches for 118 yards and a touchdown.

De’Veon Smith was one of three running backs to carry the ball in this game and was the only one of those three not to score. However, he was the best back for the day as he took 25 carries for 109 yards against the Gators.

Highlights

Odds

The Wolverines were four-point favorites coming into the Citrus Bowl, a spread that they easily covered in the big victory. The two teams also combined to hit the over on the 39-point O/U line for the Citrus Bowl.