5 predictions for Michigan Football vs Georgia in the Orange Bowl

QBs will be the determining factor

Michigan football’s identity is running the football. But in order to beat Georgia, the Wolverines are going to have to find success throwing the football and the same can be said about the Bulldogs.

Georgia runs the ball better than some Michigan fans are giving them credit for. They don’t have a 1,000 rusher but they can ground and pound, especially when it comes to killing the clock.

It feels like both offenses are going to struggle to run the football, sort of like when Michigan played Wisconsin in Madison. There will be a lot of tough sledding.

The key is which team can break off an explosive run or two, but more importantly, the key for both offenses will be the quarterback play.

Cade McNamara has been steady all season long and has thrown just four interceptions compared to 15 touchdown passes. Stetson Bennett has been a bit more dynamic and has 24 touchdown passes, as well as averaging more than 10 yards per pass attempt.

If Bennett is anywhere near that Friday in Miami, Georgia will win the game. But if Cade McNamara plays well, and I believe he will, Michigan should have a great chance to win the game too.

In a battle of defenses, the team with the better quarterback play is probably going to win, which leads us to the X-factor — J.J. McCarthy.