Michigan-Florida State Orange Bowl Preview

#11 FLORIDA STATE SEMINOLES

The Seminoles struggled in the first five conference games and only won two of those five. They were plagued with injuries, the inexperience at the quarterback position and the offensive line's lack of pass protection. They eventually got the motor running because they realized that running back Dalvin Cook is still on their roster. In the last three games of the season, they outscored their opponents 121-34 and never allowed over 20 points. Michigan will be Florida State’s toughest test and will need quarterback Deondre Francois to be confident under pressure.

WHY THEY WILL WIN

Dalvin Cook, Dalvin Cook, Dalvin Cook! He’s the game changer and their impact player. His ability will lure Michigan right in, which sets up Deondre Francois to take advantage of Big Blue’s stronghold defense. Even if the offense struggles in the beginning, the defense will keep this game close. The defense will force Wilton Speight to make bad decisions and keep Big Blue's offense stagnant.

WHY THEY WILL LOSE

Michigan’s 2nd ranked defense slows down Dalvin Cook and forces Deondre Francois to pass. Florida State’s beat up offensive line won't contain three of Michigan’s best defensive line (Wormley, Charlton and Glasgow) and they continue to give the quarterback problems. Francois is forced to put the ball in his hands, and mistakes will be the offense’s downfall. Florida State’s defense tries keeping the game close, but fatigue will slowly take over.

#6 MICHIGAN WOLVERINES

Michigan looked like a potential playoff team. They allowed two 20+ games and defeated three teams that were eventually in the AP Top 10 by season’s end (Colorado, Penn State, and Wisconsin). But after Iowa’s upset, including injuring quarterback Wilton Speight in the process, Michigan lost two of the last three games of the season. But remember that they have one of the best defenses in the nation, a swiss army knife athlete Jabrill Peppers and a balanced offense as long as their quarterback is healthy. Michigan plays a second Florida team in a bowl game, but this team may be different from the Gators last season.

WHY THEY WILL WIN

Michigan plays hard nose defense and has one of the best all-around coverages in the nation. The defensive line is too strong for Florida State’s offensive line to contain and will force Francois to run out of the pocket and throw the ball to the team in blue and maize. Quarterback Wilton Speight had time to heal and plays a great bowl game. With Florida State’s coverage plagued by injuries and the loss of Derwin James, receivers Darboh, Butt and Chesson will be catching left and right.

WHY THEY WILL LOSE

Quarterback Wilton Speight is active but not 100% healthy. If the game is close, Florida State’s defensive lineman DeMarcus Walker will lead the pressure in the second half, making Speight uncomfortable. De’Veon Smith’s failure to get anything going on the ground will force Michigan to pass more and play action passes will be more predictable. Dalvin Cook runs ragged all over Michigan’s defense and tires them out for the rest of the game. The result will be Francois having more confidence attacking through the air.