Michigan Football Humbled Once Again This Time By Alabama

Michigan Football, as expected were beaten by the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2020 Citrus Bowl. Bama beat Michigan 35-16.

In typical Michigan football fashion, the team started hot but failed to remain aggressive in turn losing to the Crimson Tide during the first football game of 2020.  I didn’t want to write something immediately after the game, I’m sure it would have provided an entertaining rant, but it would have been a mirky, angry take.

I didn’t think the Wolverines would beat an angry Nick Saban led Alabama team.  It’s a team that lost perhaps the second-best quarterback in college football to a severe hip injury.  Tua Tugovailoa suffered a dislocated hip ending his season and leaving his future in a bit of limbo for another day.

Tomorrow Tua is expected to announce if he’s forgoing his senior year at Alabama and entering the NFL draft or returning for one more season just to prove the injury hasn’t limited him in any way.

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Tua wants to be a high first-round selection, and he feels his injury may have hurt his draft stock.  He still has the potential to be a top 10 pick this Spring, but there is always a chance he falls to 20 or so, which will hurt his pocketbook but perhaps leave him in a much better position to succeed immediately.

Look at Lamar Jackson, sure he’s a spectacular athlete, but his numbers are aided by playing on a great team.  He wouldn’t have the same numbers if he were on the Miami Dolphins.  If I’m Tua, I hope to land with the Chargers at 6 or Indianapolis at 13 over say a Washington at 2.

Like I said earlier, Michigan was a long shot to beat Alabama entering the day.  Alabama was fielding nearly everyone else besides two defensive players and their star QB.  Don’t forget; this is still Alabama.  It’s a next man up mentality.  Saban turned the keys over to quarterback Mac Jones who looked tremendous throwing the football, particularly to superstar wide-out Jerry Jeudy.  Jeudy is a phenomenal junior that, in all likelihood, could be a top-five draft choice in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Early in the game, the ‘great’ Don Brown dialed up man to man single coverage on Juedy with a true freshman corner.  It ended exactly how you’d imagine it would, with an 85-yard touchdown strike from Jones.

The Wolverines were running the ball well in the first half, especially on first down.  OC Josh Gattis was extremely creative, flipping to the back of the playbook, dialing up some dynamic plays that confused the stout Alabama defense.  Michigan took a 16-14 lead to the locker room thanks to a bomb off the right foot of Quinn Nordin, who drilled a 57-yard field goal to end the half.

Michigan football fans, me included, were feeling quite optimistic at this point.  Perhaps Jim Harbaugh will finally get his signature win?  Jim Harbaugh is 0-10 against teams as an underdog. Why can’t Jim elevate his team when they are considered dogs?

It was much of the same in the second half.  Alabama wouldn’t allow a point and outscore Michigan football to the tune of 21-0.  Shea Patterson was extremely inaccurate all day, often missing wide-open receivers.  Now, it’s Joe Milton’s turn.  Will Jim be able to turn the talented dual-threat QB into a superstar?  Only time will tell.

It’s time Michigan cleans house, does that include Jim Harbaugh? Not likely, but perhaps it should.