5 things we learned from Michigan football's ReliaQuest Bowl win over Alabama

Michigan football won the ReliaQuest Bowl as a 17-point underdog and here are five things we learned about the Wolverines.

Alabama v Michigan - ReliaQuest Bowl
Alabama v Michigan - ReliaQuest Bowl | Aaron J. Thornton/GettyImages
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Jordan Marshall is going to be a star

For the fourth year in a row, Michigan football will have one of the best running back tandems in the Big Ten conference.

The Wolverines have already landed Justice Haynes, the No. 1 running back from the transfer portal, but Jordan Marshall, after getting just eight carries all season, carried the ball 23 times for 100 yards. He also did it against a loaded box (understatement) and forced 12 missed tackles.

When Michigan desperately needed points, and Alex Orji was playing quarterback, so everyone knew what was coming, Marshall still got 24 yards to set up the final field goal. The Wolverines needed three more points and without those, that game might have gone to overtime or worse.

Evan Link probably won't be the starting left tackle next season, but he had some nice run blocks and I think he'd make for a good guard. He wouldn't be left on an island for pass protection and has already proven he's an above-average run blocker. Andrew Sprague didn't look out of place at all and if the Wolverines added another O-line starter or two from the portal, the running game should be elite.

Also, having the threat of a passing game will make a huge difference. The Wolverines didn't have that this season and still ran for 157 yards per game (4.2 average). Next season, if teams load the box, there will be a price to pay that just wasn't there this season.

That all bodes well for Marshall, who is already drawing comparisons to Blake Corum.

Schedule

Schedule