WHO: No. 14 Michigan (9-3) vs. No. 13 Alabama (10-2)
WHAT: The 74th VRBO Citrus Bowl
WHEN: 1:00 p.m. ET on ABC
WHERE: Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla.
THE SKINNY: The last time Alabama missed a BCS/New Year’s Six bowl, in 2010, the Crimson Tide went to the Citrus Bowl and licked their wounds by licking Michigan State, 49-7, as a springboard to two straight national titles. Shouldn’t we all be so lucky.
The Tide won’t beat Michigan 49-7, not with Mac Jones in for Tua Tagovailoa, but Alabama will have the full participation of all healthy players, which is a problem for Michigan. As we’ve seen time and again in the Jim Harbaugh era, Michigan can handle any program outside the elite, but they have trouble keeping with the elite of the elite. Even though this year’s Tide team took a year off from the elite, this roster is still among the best in the country.
Michigan won’t get boatraced, but they won’t win, either.
THE PICK: Alabama 41, Michigan 34