Bill Connelly (SP+) Picks the Score of the Michigan Alabama Game

Submitted by bluesong on December 4th, 2023 at 3:50 PM

29-20 Blouses

https://x.com/ESPN_BillC/status/1731769975927415141?s=20

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Chaco

December 4th, 2023 at 4:03 PM ^

sure - for next time when you post just click on the paperclip looking symbol and paste in the link to the page on the space that will be provided; that will display it as a clickable link when you post.

Joined: 11/15/2012

MGoPoints: 27902

tjohn7

December 4th, 2023 at 3:52 PM ^

https://media.giphy.com/media/5nIkxFhhanIr4WZq0z/giphy.gif?cid=ecf05e477aq9a4ua5qljnwi1rid2j8sgvn3prji88ympmywi&ep=v1_gifs_search&rid=giphy.gif&ct=g

 

Joined: 09/29/2014

MGoPoints: 13172

Johnny Blood

December 4th, 2023 at 3:56 PM ^

That would be epic.

I love that the computers have us as the better team, but I'm still very nervous about this one because Michigan doesn't have a great history of peak performances in bowl / playoff games.  And Alabama does.

Also, I'm a Michigan fan going back to the early 80s, so I've lived through enough games where we dominated the other team but lose in the end because we settled for field goals - so that just means I'm always nervous until we're up by three scores.

Joined: 12/22/2010

MGoPoints: 4732

Perkis-Size Me

December 4th, 2023 at 4:42 PM ^

While this is not a vintage Alabama team and its certainly not your older sibling's Alabama team, they still have Nick Saban on the sideline. And he's the best to do ever do it. Period. And Michigan unfortunately has his undivided attention for the next four weeks. 

I think Michigan can match up on a player to player basis. The question will be whether or not they can avoid being out-coached by Saban. Luckily Michigan has the same amount of time to get things figured out. 

Joined: 11/30/2011

MGoPoints: 105774

NittanyFan

December 4th, 2023 at 6:40 PM ^

Yep.  2015 (January 2016) title game.  Alabama had kicked a FG, tied it at 24-24 early in the 4th Quarter.  On-side kick, touchdown 2 plays later, and Alabama won going away (Clemson kicked a FG their next possession, but after that never had the ball down less than 2 scores).

On the other hand, Saban called one of the dumbest fake field goals ever in the 2018 (January 2019) title game.  Also against Clemson.  They were down 15 anyway, early in the 2nd half, so I get it, they needed to get going.  The dumb part was the placekicker being the lead blocker, trying to block a future NFL 1st-round defensive tackle!  Nope, that didn't work.

Joined: 12/04/2012

MGoPoints: 43130

Magnum P.I.

December 4th, 2023 at 7:11 PM ^

Saban did fuckall in the NFL where the playing field is level and you can’t cheat to stockpile talent. There’s hundreds of guys who could run that ship with the embarrassment of talent and surplus of filthy boosters

He’s half the coach as Harbaugh who has been a goddam sexual tyrannosaurus everywhere he’s coached regardless of what he’s had to work with

Joined: 07/16/2009

MGoPoints: 30687

NittanyFan

December 4th, 2023 at 7:20 PM ^

I mean, Saban was 15-17 in the NFL --- which, yes it's a losing record.  But they were 4-12 the year before he got there, and his starting QBs over those 32 games were Gus Frerotte (15 starts), Joey Harrington (!!!!) (11 starts), an injured-and-past-his-prime Daunte Culpepper (4) , Sage Rosenfels and Cleo Lemon (1 each).

No coach is going to win much with that.  Saban's 2nd year, of course, Dolphins management infamously passed over an "injured" Drew Brees for the actually injured Culpepper. 

Joined: 12/04/2012

MGoPoints: 43130

meeashagin

December 4th, 2023 at 7:12 PM ^

We have Jim Harbaugh who has coached in a Super Bowl before and off the top of my head I believe he's won 33 of last 34 games which is unbelievable. I know, I know, cfp record (hopefully Harbaugh has learned from TCU performance)

Saban's numbers are mainly based off him having the better players or coaching vs a disciple in Smart. I think I heard (came from Uncle Lou so who knows) before the UGA game that Saban has only been an u/dog 4x (this would be 5) in last 14 years (all to UGA) so is he a great coach or does he just always have a massive talent advantage?

Talent is pretty even here so we'll see.

Joined: 03/25/2018

MGoPoints: 5100

JBDaddy

December 4th, 2023 at 4:45 PM ^

Captures my feelings too.  I watch every Bama game with my Bama-fan wife, and they seem to have a tenacity straight through the last seconds of a game that B1G teams lack, or rarely need to deliver.

Plus years of cruitin', good second half adjustments, and it seems like they get away with murder as far as uncalled PI/holds.  I don't think going into this game as high-minded gentlemen gets you the win, and I'm nervous.

 

Joined: 12/12/2010

MGoPoints: 1118

UMAmaizinBlue

December 4th, 2023 at 4:02 PM ^

The next month is gonna be both too long and not long enough. I have to set expectations with relatives and friends that January 1st is the only holiday that matters to me this year, and only when toe meets leather.

Joined: 09/23/2009

MGoPoints: 36258