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Michigan’s final game of the year is coming soon and the final opponent is a tough one in the Alabama Crimson Tide. Michigan finished their regular season 9-3 and is looking to get their 10th win of the season, finishing 10-3 and it would be head coach Jim Harbaugh’s fourth 10-win season at Michigan. Harbaugh has been coaching at Michigan for five years, with his worst season being 8-5 back in 2017.
Going up against Alabama won’t be an easy game for the Wolverines. While the Alabama defense isn’t as tough as it usually is, the offense is still explosive. Despite being without their starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, backup quarterback Mac Jones has played well this season, going 81/116 for 1,176 yards with 11 touchdowns and three interceptions.
Michigan will have to dig deep if they are going to upset the Crimson Tide and there are some impactful players who could help change the momentum of how the game goes. Check out the five players to watch in the Citrus Bowl.
1. WR Donovan Peoples-Jones – MICHIGAN
One of the biggest headlines heading into this game is whether Michigan wide receivers Donovan Peoples-Jones and Nico Collins will return to Michigan next season. The one that seems to have a more positive NFL draft grade so far is Peoples-Jones and depending on how he can do against Alabama could affect his decision on returning or not to Ann Arbor.
Peoples-Jones will be going up against some good competition in the Alabama secondary and lucky for him there is lots of talent around him at the position where he might get some single coverage. Michigan will need to be in a scoring duel with Alabama as Alabama has a top 10 offense and the Wolverines defense will need to do it’s best to slow them down.
So if Michigan wants to stay in the game, they will need to air the ball out. Peoples-Jones will need to make some big plays, and whether that is as a wide receiver or a punt returner, his play will be huge for the Wolverines offense.