Michigan Football: 3 early predictions for Wolverines in Citrus Bowl

Patterson and the offense will shine

While Michigan’s defense seems really overmatched in this game, the offense should be able to come in and score points against Alabama.

The Wolverines ended up losing to Ohio State by 29 points. However, the score could have been much closer if Michigan football had been able to execute in the red zone and if Shea Patterson hadn’t fumbled at a key juncture in the second quarter.

U-M struggled on the ground in The Game, but Patterson started hot, completing 14-of-18 passes to start and Ohio State has the No. 2 defense in college football according to ESPN FPI rating index. Alabama is No. 10.

The Crimson Tide have also allowed 28 points or more four times this season and more than 40 twice in the last month. The Wolverines will also have a month to fine-tune the new offensive system even more and with the chance to show out against NFL defenders, guys like Patterson, Donovan Peoples-Jones and Nico Collins will play well.

It might not be enough to win the game, but it should be enough to keep it interesting.