The Capital One Bowl: Michigan vs. Florida
January 1, 2008
1:00 p.m.
Game Weather
The University of Michigan Wolverines make their 39th bowl appearance (33nrd straight) on New Years Day in Orlando in the Capital One Bowl. The University of Florida Gators is the opponent.
This will be the final game in the coaching career of Lloyd Carr. Carr announced his retirement at the end of the regular season and will coach the team in the bowl game. Taking over as the Michigan head coach in January will be Rich Rodriguez. Interestingly, Rodriguez is an innovator of the spread offense – the very offense utilized by Florida.
Den Did Ya Know?
Jake Long has been named 1st team All-American by the Football Writers Association of America, CBS Sportsline.com, the American Football Coaches Association, Walter Camp Football Foundation, The Sporting News and Rivals.com. He was a runner-up for both the Rotary Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy. He is a two-time unanimous All-Big Ten first team selection by both the coaches and media (2006-07). He is just the sixth player in league history to be named Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year twice (2006-07).
The Florida offense is led by QB Tim Tebow – the Heisman Trophy winner as the best player in college football. Tebow averaged over 330 yards of offense per game and had 51 touchdowns (yes, that’s 51). He was a major player as a true-freshman in Florida’s National Championship last year. This year, he led the nation is passing efficiency by completing over 68% of his passes with only 6 interceptions. He is not alone when it comes to offensive firepower. Percy Harvin is the top running back (besides Tebow) and is a threat as a receiver. With speed at all the skill positions (Andre Caldwell, Brandon James, etc), the Gators have weapons everywhere. The offense averaged over 43 points per game – 4th best in the country.
The Florida defense is less accomplished. After losing 9 starters from last years team, Florida has struggled at times. While the rush defense is still formidable (top 10 in the nation giving up less than 100 yards per game), the pass defense has been the Achilles. The Gators rank 86th in pass defense surrendering nearly 250 yards per game through the air. The best defensive linemen are Derrick Harvey and Jermaine Cunningham. The leading tackler is LB Brandon Spikes. Tony Joiner leads an inexperienced, but athletic, group of defensive backs.
Pre-Game Menu
Shrimp Cocktail
Salad
Baked Potatoes
Filet Mignon
Post-Game Menu
Snacks
If the game comes down to special teams, Florida is just average – with the exception of returning punts where Brandon James is 2nd in the nation.
Michigan has not fared well in their recent bowl game – losing the last four. Here are the keys to a Michigan victory:
1. Play inspired football. There should be no problem in getting motivated to win this game – Lloyd’s last game; Hart/Henne/Long have never won a bowl game; Tebow’s Heisman Trophy.
2. Use the pass to set up the run. While this is not the normal approach at Michigan, Florida’s defense is much better at stopping the run than at stopping the pass. If Michigan can establish a passing game, it will back off the linebackers and allow Mike Hart to find some running room.
The Wolverine Den Trivia
Who scored Michigan ’s first points this season? (Hint, it was in the Appalachian State game).
How many bowl games in a row has Steve attended?
3. Contain Tebow. The Heisman winner is very talented. You don’t need to shut him down to win the game – just contain him. In Florida’s 3 losses, Tebow has been held to 3 or less touchdowns. In each pf their 9 wins, he has 4 or more TDs.
4. Chad. Henne has had over 800 yards and 10 TDs in his three bowl games. Yet all three were losses. Chad needs to be at his best with a questionable Gator secondary.
Besides the big three, Adam Kraus, Shawn Crable, Brandent Englemon, Chris Graham and Jamar Adams will all play their final game in the winged helmet and each needs a strong performance.
Michigan beat Florida in their only previous match up. Florida is favored by 10 ½ points. It should be a great game!
Craig's Prediction
30-28
Steve's Prediction
34-28
Tim's Prediction
28-24
Great Moments in Michigan Bowl History
- 1902 Rose Bowl: Michigan had 527 yards rushing – led by Willie Heston’s 170 yards and Neil Snow’s 4 TDs – in the 49-0 win over Stanford in the first Rose Bowl game.
- 178 Rose Bowl: Rick Leach to Curt Stephensen for a 76-yard TD pass – the longest in Michigan bowl hstory.
- 1980 Rose Bowl: Butch Woolfolk’s 182 yards rushing helping Michigan give Bo his first bowl win 23-6 over Washington.
- 1988 Hall of Fame Bowl: John Kolesar’s TD catch late in the 4th qtr and Jamie Morris’ 234 yards rushing led Michigan past Alabama 28-24.
- 1989 Rose Bowl: Leroy Hoard’s 142 yards and 2 TDs led to a 22-14 win over USC.
- 1991 Gator Bowl: Michigan had 715 total yards of offense – a single game team record – in the 35-3 win over Mississippi.
- 1993 Rose Bowl: Tyrone Wheatley had 235 yards rushing (on only 15 carries) in 38-31 win over Washington.
- 1998 Rose Bowl: Brian Griese to Tai Streets for 2 long TDs to help Michigan win the National Championship.
- 1999 Citrus Bowl: Ian Gold’s interception and return for a TD in the win 45-31 over Arkansas.
- 2000 Orange Bowl: Tom Brady to David Terrell ten times as Michigan overcomes Alabama to win in OT 35-34.
- 2003 Outback Bowl: Chris Perry had 193 yards (108 receiving, 85 rushing) and 4 touchdowns to lead Michigan over Florida 38-30.