The Michigan Wolverines are set to square of in one of the marquee New Year's Six bowl games this year against the Florida State Seminoles in the Orange Bowl. Many are picking FSU to win, but we know better than that. Here are three reasons why Michigan is guaranteed to win:
3) Michigan's dominant defense
Michigan's defense has been dominant under Jim Harbaugh, and they've been one of the best units in the country this season. They can match anyone's star power with Jourdan Lewis and Jabrill Peppers, and rank second in the country in both yards allowed (253) and points allowed (12.5) per game. They've held nine of their 12 opponents to 14 points or less this season, and there's no reason to think they won't be dominant again.
2) De'Veon Smith
Michigan ranks in the top 20 in the country in rushing and have used a well-balanced rushing attack to do so. Four different players have rushed for at least 400 yards this season, but Smith has easily been their best back all year - when he gets the ball. He only got 20 carries twice this season, and has actually responded to an increased workload all season - 58.5 percent of his yards have come in the five games in which he had over 15 carries, and did so averaging nearly five yards per carry.
You need to ride your best players in the biggest games of the year, and the Wolverines would be smart to give Smith the ball and get out of his way.
1) Florida State's mediocre pass defense
FSU's secondary has been routinely exploited by opponents this season, and rank just 65th in the country in passing yards allowed per game. With Wilton Speight now fully healthy after a month off, Michigan's passing game will be a full strength - and ready to exploit the holes that will be there. Expect Michigan to get a few big plays through the air in this one.
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