The College football playoff is set... Last night's B1G Ten championship victory for the Wolverines have solidified their spot in the Playoffs. The rankings were released early Sunday afternoon, and the #2 Michigan Wolverines are set to take on #3 Georgia, on New Years Eve (December 31st) at 7:30pm. With Georgia being the dominate team all year, up untill yesterday's SEC Championship loss against Alabama, how does Michigan stack up against the Bulldogs?.
___
After the disappointing 2020, COVID-19 shortened season, nobody except the Michigan locker room could anticipate what was set to happen in this 2021 season. Aiden Hutchinson, Star defensive end and potentially the future #1 NFL Draft pick, even addressed it in an interview after the B1G Ten championship trophy was handed out to them. "Everybody doubted us, we were the only ones who believed this would happen, and look where we are" said Hutchinson. The Wolverines started their season 1-0 after beating Western Michigan University in convincing fashion, 47-14. Followed that up by beating Washington 31-10 in a primetime game at the big house. A week later Michigan Running Backs, Blake Corum and Hassan Haskins continued their dominate efforts, sending a message to the CFB world. The two Michigan backs are known as "Thunder" and "Lighting" and in that 63-10 win vs Northern Illinois University, Corum/Haskins combined for 181 yards and 5 touchdowns.
____
After 7 straight victory's, the Wolverines rolled into East Lansing to take on State rival MSU. They had a great start and momentum seemed to be on their side. But after a very controversial TD was taken away from Michigan after a David Ojabo strip sack and Aiden Hutchinson fumble recovery in the End Zone, things were just a bit different. The controversy didn't end there as easy holding calls and pass Interference calls on MSU was ignored. Those blown calls in all likelihood cost Michigan the win and because of that needed to win out to
make it to the B1G Ten championship and have a bid at a Playoff berth.
___
After the MSU loss, Quarterback Cade McNamara was filmed giving his Michigan teammates a speech, in it he said "What Happens if we win out!" He knew it was possible and Michigan got that done. Michigan beat Indiana, Penn State and Maryland before heading home for "The Game" against the Buckeyes. Before the start of the season Jim Harbaugh said he would trade his arm for a win vs OSU, and Star Aiden Hutchinson addressed that to "We kinda laughed a little when he said that, but he kept a straight face" said Hutchinson. That sparked Michigan on both sides of the ball and after a gritty 60 minutes of play, Michigan beat their arch rivals 42-27. Aiden Hutchinson had 3 Sacks, while Hassan Haskins had 5 touchdowns. Then of course there was the big 42-3 win against Iowa in the Championship game.
___
So, after Michigan and Georgia has dominated the CFB season, who has the edge in they're match up and why?...
Through the first 12 games, Georgia had undebatably the best team in the trenches, and you couldn't get a run game going against them, they knew how to get to the Quarterback also. But, after getting beat up offensively by the Alabama Crimson Tide, the question being asked is has Georgia had big enough competition to be declared a top 4 team?. Top level competition is something the Michigan Wolverines haven't lacked this season. They have notable wins vs Ohio State, Penn State, Iowa, Wisconsin, and a gritty Nebraska team. Georgia's only had two notable wins, Arkansas and Kentucky. Michigan's schedule has been greater by far, and the Wolverines have matched Georgia's record, in my mind giving Michigan a big edge before their New Years Eve battle. Michigan has a big edge in the running game as well and the way that Michigan has thrown the ball lately they aren't far off from Georgia in the air game. Neither team has faced this level of defense, they are both pretty even in that category. Alabama or Cincinnati will play the winner of Michigan and Georgia in the National Championship game
___
Thanks for the read!
תגובות