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TAMPA, Fla. — The cannon blast behind the makeshift stage on the Raymond James Stadium field that sent down a cascade of maize and blue confetti was so loud it nearly drowned out the message from Michigan football head coach Sherrone Moore.
According to oddsmakers (and the betting public), the Wolverines were expected to lose their final two games by a combined 36 points. First, U-M was nearly three-touchdown underdogs in the regular-season finale against Ohio State.
Then, even after stunning the Buckeyes in Columbus, oddsmakers felt Michigan was more than two touchdowns worse than perennial SEC power Alabama — the first team on the outside looking in of the new 12-team College Football Playoff.
To be fair, Michigan’s lack of key players suiting up was a factor in the ReliaQuest Bowl betting line.
Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer touted in a joint news conference Monday there’s precedent in Tuscaloosa that Alabama’s players don’t opt out of bowl games and did this as he sat adjacent to Moore, who remained quiet, knowing he was about to coach a roster with eight players opting out to declare for the 2025 NFL draft.
Even a shorthanded U-M roster took the field — down as many as 10 potential NFL draft picks, four projected to go in the first round — it put together a second straight inspiring performance to shut down Alabama in a 19-13 victory on New Year’s Eve in the ReliaQuest Bowl.
“The future is bright,” Moore assured from the stage, through the falling streamers. “Future is bright at Michigan.”
Sherrone Moore’s lessons
For those not on board with that assessment prior to Tuesday’s performance, it’s even harder to disregard now.
No, U-M did not manhandle the Tide.
Michigan Wolverines running back Jordan Marshall stiff-arms Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Jeremiah Alexander during the second half at…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/michigan-bowl-game-mvp-jordan-110551017.html
Author : Detroit Free Press
Publish date : 2025-01-01 11:05:00
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