5 Players to Watch Against Alabama

Michigan football takes on Alabama in the Citrus Bowl on New Year’s Day. Which five players should you focus on when game day comes?

5. LB Josh Ross – MICHIGAN

Earlier in the season, linebacker Josh Ross was a starting linebacker. He would get injured against Wisconsin and hasn’t returned this season so far. Linebacker Cam McGrone took over for Ross and has played well enough that the team hasn’t needed Ross to return since getting healthy. McGrone had won the starting job over Ross and he’s been ready to return for the past few weeks but hasn’t played yet.

To get a redshirt, any player can play up to four games in a season. Ross has only played in three, so if Michigan wants they can play him in this game and he can still get his redshirt. Michigan would be crazy to pass up on that, so expect Ross to get some playing time against Alabama.

It’s unknown if he will play, and if so how much. Ross this season only had 18 total tackles, while he had 54 total tackles, five and a half tackles for loss, two pass deflections and one sack in 2018. Ross will see more playing time next season, and this game could be a trial to see where he fits in 2020. How he can do against the toughest team he’s played all year long will be a good way of seeing his role next season.

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