Citrus Bowl preview: MI vs. Florida

The Florida Gators take on the Michigan Wolverines the 2016 Citrus Bowl on Friday, New Year’s Day start time at 1:00 PM ET, at Florida Citrus Bowl.

MI had no trouble with Florida in the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl, defeating the Gators 41-7.

If Michigan’s improvement in just one season under new coach Jim Harbaugh is any indication, the Wolverines will be contending for a lot more than a Citrus Bowl trophy in short order. Michigan won each time, taking both the 2003 Outback Bowl and 2008 Citrus Bowl….Michigan is makings its fifth appearance in the Citrus Bowl, going 3-1 in its previous trips to Orlando….This will be the 13th time that Michigan faces an SEC team in a bowl game. MI is coming off a loss to Ohio State.

The 2015 bowl season is littered with exciting matchups of teams, players, and even fan bases.

The No. 19 Gators left the field acknowledging there is clearly much more work to it.

In a game billed a battle of two of the top defenses in the Big Ten and Southeastern Conference, the Wolverines’ offense shined from the outset in their first bowl victory since 2012.

What about the lopsided loss at home to Florida State in the regular-season finale?

“They were able to experience what that game is all about, ” McElwain said.

“I’m sure that all people who like MI are really proud of the fellas and the way they played all year”, Harbaugh said. Florida lost its final three games of the year and the only offensive touchdowns it scored in its final two came on a trick play against MI and in garbage time against Alabama.

UF was flagged for too many men on the field during one third-quarter defensive possession – then had only 10 defenders present when MI punched the ball in for a 2-yard touchdown on its next drive.

Michigan’s defense played without safety Jabrill Peppers, who sat out with an undisclosed injury.

The Gators managed only 17 total yards in the second half.

“I really think they out-physicaled us”, McElwain said. “It has potentially the chance to be – personally, I would look at this as the best year I’ve had in football, if we win this game”. But the guy who has the second-most carries on the team has to average better than 2.2 yards per attempt. McElwain will certainly have issues to address if the Gators hope to defend their SEC East Division title. “I’m just so thankful and grateful we were able to get there as a team”. You can never take your foot off the gas pedal.

How they got here: Florida got off to a 6-0 start with quality victories over Tennessee, Ole Miss and Missouri but began to show warts, particularly offensively, late in the season.

Hargreaves was replaced in the lineup by sophomore Quincy Wilson for the last UM series in the first half and half of the Wolverines’ first series of the second half. The Gators have two players from MI.

Jake Rudock was named the game’s MVP, leading the Wolverines with 278 passing yards and three touchdowns. It was up-and-down, but all told, it was a very solid first season for Harbaugh, with a competent offense and a dominant defense.

Last meeting: MI beat Florida 41-35 in the 2007 Capital One Bowl. In order for Florida to win, the inefficiency by Harris is going to have to be masked a little with Taylor and talented but young receivers Antonio Callaway and Brandon Powell. Callaway could have run into the end zone on his own.

“The road to success is always under construction, and we need to continue to recruit and develop, and continue to grow and elevate our football program”, Jones said. And, like I said, give those guys credit.