Michigan, Florida look to cap resurgent years at Citrus Bowl

Especially when you have an ex-Michigan QB in Jim Harbaugh who has exceeded expectations this season and guided his alma mater to a nine win season.

Florida and MI tout salty, Top 10 defenses, so which quarterback can avoid mistakes could go a long way in deciding the Citrus Bowl.

Florida defensive lineman Jonathan Bullard, left, is called for a face mask penalty after pulling the helmet off MI running back De’Veon Smith (4) during the first half of the Citrus Bowl NCAA college football game, Friday, Jan. 1, 2016, in Orlando, Fla.

The best example was on Rudock’s 31-yard touchdown pass to Jehu Chesson early in the second quarter that put MI up 14-7. The Wolverines ended the day with five scoring drives – four for touchdowns – spanning at least 69 yards and two of at least 80.

Yet a 10-win season has rarely tasted so sour – and a 41-7 loss to MI in the 2016 Citrus Bowl is partly to blame.

“It doesn’t matter what you do, you go and expect to win, ” Florida head coach Jim McElwain said at a pregame press conference.

Florida’s kicking game this past season has been nothing short of a septic tank wired with explosives – just spraying mess all over the field. Then, on third down from the MI 2-yard line, they ran a direct-snap reverse with quarterback Treon Harris leaking out into the flat, where receiver Antonio Callaway found him wide-open for an easy TD. Even if the Wolverines are without stud S/RB Jabrill Peppers, who is questionable with a hand/wrist injury, don’t expect Florida to have much success through the air against All-American CB Jourdan Lewis and company. Gators quarterback Treon Harris threw an interception on the game’s opening drive after leading his team to the red zone.

In order for MI to earn a victory, their defense has to set the tone from the kickoff. They out-physicalled us, guys, no doubt about it. I mean, I hate to state the obvious all the time, but they did.

MI passing (54th) vs. Florida pass defense (10th): Although the numbers say the Gators have the clear advantage in this area, the Wolverines will make it interesting.

NFL-bound cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III was among many Gators exposed badly by Harbaugh and Co. “I’m just so thankful and grateful we were able to get there as a team”. His team allowed Rudock to complete 20 of 31 passes for 278 yards with three touchdowns. “But like (Harbaugh) said, every guy on the team’s been getting after every day and really competing and really doing what needs to be done”.

A little better might not be good enough against a strong MI defensive front.

There was freshman Grant Perry, breaking into the end zone and catching his first touchdown pass. They punted an alarming 80 times, a figure only two other SEC teams, neither of which are playing in a bowl, topped.

“This has been very hard on him and obviously he is looking for a fresh start”, McElwain said.

The Gators won’t be trying to show that fact through individual performances, though, which is something UF defensive coordinator Geoff Collins said has made his group so successful all season. “I think the players bought into what he wanted us to do, and like I said, we bought into it and we had a successful season”.