Guess the Rose Bowl Score + Bonus, Guess the UW/UT Score

Bama 20, M 13

So funny what homers most media are. 
All the MGO writers pick M; all the writers on Bama’s site pick Bama. 

26 to 21 Michigan 

23-17 Michigan

38-34 Washington

28-20 M

38-28 UW

35-21 Alabama. A late TD from Alabama makes the game look more lopsided than it is. Michigan’s defense keeps them in it, forces a handful of mistakes from Milroe, but Saban is who he is. Especially in the postseason, and Michigan is notoriously atrocious in the postseason. If this Alabama team was coached by anyone else I’d absolutely be favoring Michigan, but sorry folks, I’m in a “believe it when I see it” mode from Michigan in a game like this. 

Washington beats Texas in an extremely entertaining track meet, 45-42. I’d say Texas is an unquestionably more talented team, but it’s hard to deny Washington’s uncanny ability to thrive in high-pressure situations and come out on top.

Meanwhile, that sets up Alabama playing exactly who it would be wanting to play. Alabama knocks out Washington in a game that isn’t really a blowout but it always feels like the game is just too far out of reach to really threaten. Something like 38-27, Alabama wins it all again, Saban announces he’s not retiring, and we all spend the entire offseason screaming at Auburn for blowing it and essentially allowing all of this to happen. 

Heart:

• Alabama: 17
• Michigan: 20

Michigan finally beats Alabama to avenge the loss in 2020, and gets the non-Florida SEC loss streak to end. Whether Michigan wins or loses in the Championship, the Alabama game will be remembered as the "real championship game" by most CFB fans and the media.

Brain:

• Alabama: 31
• Michigan: 16

I really just think Saban with 1 month to prepare, plus Michigan's terrible bowl record all make it hard to see Michigan winning.

Overall, I think the game goes one of two ways:

• Close Game Until The 4th Quarter
  • Alabama and Michigan keep it very competitive and close for 3 quarters in a fairly low scoring defensive game.
  • The teams enter the 4th quarter with Alabama up 17-13.
  • Alabama scores a TD to go up 24-13 early on in the 4th.
  • Michigan responds with a FG to make the score 24-16.
  • Alabama scores another TD in the final 5-6 minutes to put the game out of reach at 31-16
  • Michigan turns the ball over on downs/interception and Alabama runs out the clock.
• Alabama races out to a sizable lead, but Michigan claws its way back somewhat. But its too little too late.
  • Like the last two trips to the Orange Bowl (FSU and Georgia) and last year in the Fiesta Bowl, Michigan sees its opponent race out to a sizable lead and look overwhelmed and unprepared. The board melts down.
  • through a combination of the opponent letting up a bit and Michigan finally remembering how to play football once more, Michigan starts to see some success and puts points on the board.
  • However, its too much to overcome and Alabama cruises to an easy victory.

That said, I hope Harbaugh/Michigan reverse history and actually win a bowl game and prove me wrong.

31-24 Michigan

34-24 Texas

My shadow says Forty Six & 2 Michigan 

31-17 M. Why? Loveland and Barner will have a great game. JJ 50+ yards on the ground now that he's full strength. 

Defense wins the TO battle and is stouter than any D Bama has seen all year.

Go Blue, F the haters and let's get two more Ws and go out on top!

31-27 Bama over UM. 42-33 Texas over WA. 38-31 Texas over Bama.

My wish:

31-28 UM over Bama, 31-30 WA over Texas. 27-20 UM over WA.

31-21 Michigan

31-21 Washington 

Michigan will win 35-29.

JJ will have his best game this season, showing off his skills both running and passing the ball.  The Don and Blake Corum will be consistently good and will both make key plays to move the chains.  The receiving corp including CJ, Roman, and the Tight Ends will all make big plays.

The defense will give Milroe fits all game including 5 sacks and two Interceptions.  Jaylen Harrell and Michael Barrett, in particularly, will be in his face throughout the day.  Mike Sainristil and Will Johnson will be lights out in coverage.

It’s time we make it to the Nat Champ Game and this is the team that will do it!!  Have a great time and enjoy this everyone!!!!  I know I will 😃 

Fuck it

Michigan 26

Alabama 21

Score by quarter:

1st: Michigan 7-0

2nd: Alabama 14-3 (halftime score Alabama 14-10)

3rd: Michigan 6-0 (3rd quarter Michigan 16-14)

4th: Michigan 10-7 (Alabama scores with 6 minutes left to take a 21-19 lead.  Michigan runs the clock down and punches it in on 3rd down with 30 seconds left, Bama with 2 TOs cant do anything on their desperation drive)

35 - 27 Michigan

42 - 32 Texas

21 - 20 Lions

I have no idea what to think, even after consuming all the content there is. I could see either team running away with it, could also envision a close game. 

I really want this to be the year, but I'd also like to look forward to the game and relish in the past 3 years' accomplishments rather than stressing on it (no luck lol). I will be able to do that after the season, but trying damn hard to just look forward to the game and not think of being snake bitten.

For once, it doesn't interfere with our annual NYE party. Unfortunately, sister in law's fam are die hard packers, so that game will be on. They all sported M and supported M the past 2 years, so can't complain. 

Happy 2024, mgofam!

Michigan 63-0.

Only way we stay ahead of UGA in the Coaches' Poll.

UW over UT 35-24

MIchigan beats the spread. 30-27

Texas 38-31

Michigan will find running space up the middle and exploit with tight ends.  JJ will make several big throws.  Meanwhile, Bama fails to run and with a one dimensional offense gets shut down.

Michigan 27

Bama 16

The last time I felt like we would probably lose a game?  OSU 2022.  That one turned out fine.  I am very cautiously optimistic.

Michigan 31

Alabama 17

And for the second game, I am going with Washington in a shootout.

Washington 41

Texas 38

Michigan 24-20. 

Washington 38-31. 

In the 2019 matchup between Alabama and Michigan, the Tide featured arguably Saban's best offensive squad he has ever assembled - they featured five outstanding and future NFL wide receivers, two future NFL QBs, two talented and future NFL running backs, a ridiculously loaded offensive line and a defense stocked with dudes....this team was DOTTED with talent and fully operational.

Bama led the Wolverines 21-16 with11 minutes left in the 4th quarter and starred at a 3rd and 11 from inside their own 10-yard line. Mac Jones spun a perfect out to Jerry Jeudy for a huge 1st down and eventually scored a back breaking TD to extend their lead and eventually took the win 35-16 - its lowest offensive output of the year.

Alabama's receiving crew made just about every contested 50/50 catch and was hands down the difference in the ball game - Shea Patterson missed several open receivers and had some opportunities to put more points on the board and although he did not play his best game, he hung in there and gave us a chance to win (I still think he catches too much flack from our fanbase).

Harbaugh/Gattis schemed up some trick plays and kept the Tide off balance with some unusual formations, shifts, motions and personnel packages that we never showed at any point during the year - it definitely kept Bama off balance for a decent duration of the game.

The difference in that game was their receivers and Mac Jones getting just enough time to find them.

The reason I bring this up is WE WERE RIGHT THERE with one of their most talented teams in 2019 with what amounted to one of Harbaugh's least spectacular and explosive squads. I fully expect our staff to unload and open up the playbook this go-around. This Tide team does not feature those playmakers and although they are dotted with talent - I feel the 2023 Wolverines have a decent chance of winning this one.

Six random things to look for:

1. The opening drive of the game - similar to Bama in 2019 and Georgia in 2021, we cannot allow them to slice through our defense for an easy touchdown - I am fine with giving up points but keep them out of of the endzone. Which defensive back are they going to try to hit a long ball with? My guess is Wallace - in 2019, it was freshman, Dax Hill. 

2.) The officials - how tight are they calling this game? If they start injecting themselves unnecessarily into the play then we will have issues - the Hutchinson roughing the passer call in the 2019 game against Alabama was questionable and helped the Tide retake the 1st half lead.

3.) The weather/sunset - it has been raining a bit in Pasadena and the grass is different that what Bama normally plays on - it will be interesting to see if either team struggles with the surface. Also, I do not expect the shadows to play a role but it will be curious to see if anyone has issues with the unusual start time as the game moves into the second half.

4.) Weird plays - fumbles, interceptions, safeties, blocked punts, tipped passes, bad official spots - if we get a few of these and not turn the ball over, it increases our chances.

5.) My head tells me Bama is the better team and historically, the more talented SEC squad given weeks to prepare, is able to scheme against the weaker teams shortcomings. My heart tells me that this Michigan team is different and they grind games out with the utmost confidence in each other.

6.) Treat Alabama exactly like Ohio State - I would love to see a few chest to chest moments with some pushing and shoving.

The one person who scares the living poop out of me is Milroe - he is completely different than anything we have seen in quite some time. It is one thing to have a running QB extend drives and gain some extra yards here and there (i.e. Max Duggan) - it is another thing to give up huge chunk plays to someone like Milroe who looks like a linebacker, glides like a receiver and explodes like a running back - he is different. If he starts going off and Saban recognizes we cannot stop him, he will continue to utilize him which opens up more space around the field off any counters. WE NEED TO HOLD MILROE IN CHECK - he is the key.

Heart: Michigan 26-24

Head: Alabama 30-17

GO BLUE!

27-20 

Michigan wins

24-14 Michigan wins, 41-38 Washington

Michigan covers, winning 27-21

Texas beats Washington in a game harking back to the old Big 12 days where defense was an option, but rarely used. Texas 49-45

Michigan is as mentally tough as any team (in any sport) I can remember following.

Michigan 23, Alabama 20

Texas 34, Washington 31

If they could only manage 27 on a 4th & 31 against AU and let that same 6-6 AU score 24 I'm gonna say 26-17 where Turner hits 4 FGs. 

Michigan 34-Alabama-30

washington 48-Texas 45

I’m going with:

M 28 - Bama 24

UT 42 - UW 38