Michigan Football: 3 early predictions for Wolverines in Citrus Bowl

Michigan won’t win but also won’t be embarrassed

The early betting lines via the action network aren’t looking too bad for Michigan football as the Wolverines are about a touchdown underdog.

That might seem closer than people expect the game to be, but many are underselling the Wolverines, who are probably going to be a lot more motivated to win this football game than Alabama will be.

However, when you give Saban a month to prepare, it’s going to be hard to win. The fact that the Crimson Tide are playing Michigan might get them up more than if it were Minnesota or Iowa. Plus, the Big Ten vs SEC rivalry is always a real thing in bowl season.

It’s also really hard to imagine a Don Brown defense suddenly figuring out how to slow down an elite offense, which Alabama is, even with Mac Jones at quarterback. The Wolverines won’t be able to stop the running game or the Crimson Tide’s elite receivers.

The Alabama defense isn’t what it has been in past seasons and the Wolverines will keep the game entertaining by lighting up the scoreboard but in the end, U-M ends up on the wrong side of something like a 45-34 game that’s exciting and not embarrassing, except if you are Don Brown.