Michigan was a couple seconds and a Big Ten Championship Game away from going to the College Football Playoff. Florida State had a few tough losses, but rebounded well. These two teams meet in an interesting and exciting game for the 2016 Capital One Orange Bowl.
Michigan Wolverines
The Wolverines won their first nine games, but lost two of their last three to finish at 10-2. They lost to Iowa and Ohio State, who are both solid teams. Michigan beat seven bowl eligible teams, including wins over Colorado, Penn State and Wisconsin.
Wilton Speight had a decent season as the starting quarterback for the Wolverines. He has 2,375 passing yards, 17 touchdowns and six interceptions. He isn’t the reason Michigan wins many games, but also doesn’t lose games for them either.
Wide receivers Amara Darboh and Jehu Chesson provide good outside threats for Speight. They have combined for almost 1,300 yards receiving and nine touchdowns. The Wolverines also have one of the best tight ends in all of college football in Jake Butt. He has 518 yards receiving and four receiving touchdowns, but always provides a good target.
De’Veon Smith is one of the best power running backs in college football. He has 810 yards on the ground and 10 touchdowns. They have five other players with over 20 carries and all but one have average yards per rush of over five.
Michigan’s defense is what makes them great. They allow just 117 rushing yards per game and 136 passing yards per game. The Wolverines likely wouldn’t trade their defense for any other college football team’s.
Taco Charlton has 8.5 sacks on the season and teams up with Chris Wormley to create a great front. They have one of the best athletes in college football behind them in Jabrill Peppers. He is a great tackler who has great fundamentals. Jourdan Lewis is a great shut down corner behind them.
Florida State Seminoles
The Seminoles were thought to be National Championship contenders, but finished 9-3. They only lost to the class of the ACC in UNC, Clemson and Louisville. Their solid wins include USF, Miami, Wake Forest, NC State, Boston College and Florida.
Deondre Francois had a terrific freshman season for the Seminoles, despite not always having the greatest protection. He threw for 3,128 yards, 18 touchdowns and six interceptions. His mobility is also a factor with four rushing touchdowns. Francois is a play-maker who will just improve with time.
For the passing game, wide receiver Travis Rudolph is the only player who has stepped up in a big way this season. Rudolph finished the regular season with 807 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.
Running back Dalvin Cook is one of the most dynamic play-makers in all of college football. He finished the season with 1,620 yards rushing and 18 touchdowns. Cook is fast and has good moves. In addition to rushing the football, he also is good in the receiving game with 426 yards and another touchdown.
The Seminoles are good at run defense with only 131 yards per game given up. The pass defense is average allowing 226 yards per game.
Demarcus Walker is one of the best pass rushers in the country and has 15 sacks in just 12 games. Tarvarus McFadden has the most interceptions in the country with eight. These two players have to step up in order for Florida State to win.
Prediction
Michigan’s defense will shut down Cook and the Florida State offense, while the Michigan offense will score just enough to win.
Michigan Wolverines 28 Florida State Seminoles 24
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