Alabama Crimson Tide: Citrus Bowl vs. Michigan might be similar to 2012

Alabama Crimson Tide in the Citrus Bowl Versus Michigan should be similar result as 2012 Game

The stage is set, the Alabama Crimson Tide are playing the Michigan Wolverines on Jan. 1, 2020 in the Citrus Bowl down in Orlando, Florida. While both teams are different in many ways from they were in 2012, could the result this time around be similar to their last game on Sept. 1, 2012, in Arlington, Texas.

Most people believe it could be a good game, it could also be far from close. We could very well see a similar result to the last time Michigan and Alabama played seven years ago. In Alabama’s 2012 season opener they faced Michigan and ran away from the Wolverines 41-14. So how exactly can this Citrus Bowl game be similar to that match up? The answers are on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball for the Alabama Crimson Tide. Let’s take a look at what they can do to get a similar result to that 2012 game versus the Michigan Wolverines.

Offense for Alabama Crimson Tide

The Alabama Crimson Tide are averaging 48.3 points per game in 2019. They can definitely hit the number of points they put up in the 2012 match of 41. This Alabama team has a lot more firepower on the offense than the 2012 team. In Arlington, Texas the last time the Crimson Tide battled Michigan, Alabama had 199 yards passing and two touchdowns by quarterback AJ McCarron. Mac Jones can hit around current Alabama’s 343.5 passing yards per game and throw a few touchdowns along the way. In the rushing game, Alabama had 232 yards seven years ago versus Michigan. In 2019 the Alabama Crimson Tide are averaging 169.8 rushing yards per game. While Alabama may not reach 232 yards, they could get close with star running back Najee Harris. The rushing game should account for some high production much like in the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Michigan Wolverines 2012 game. If Alabama can be productive all around on offense then they could see a similar finish to the last Crimson Tide versus Michigan meeting.

Defense for Alabama Crimson Tide

In 2012, the Alabama Crimson Tide had a star-studded defense. The Crimson Tide defense held Michigan to 69 rushing yards and a disappointing 2.4 yards per carry. The Wolverines could not run at all as they had 29 attempts, but just couldn’t find any room against the Alabama Crimson Tide. In 2019, Alabama’s defense is allowing 135.1 yards per game and the Wolverines are rushing for 149.8 yards per game. It’s very possible that Michigan may have more running room than they did in Arlington in 2012.  In the passing game, Alabama’s defense is allowing 183.4 yards per game this season. The Michigan Wolverines are gaining 252.3 yards per game through the air in 2019. In the 2012 meeting, the Crimson Tide allowed exactly 200 yards and forced three interceptions. The Alabama Crimson Tide could see a similar outcome against Michigan if they hold the Wolverines in the running game, the passing game, and force turnovers on January 1st in the Citrus Bowl down in Orlando, Florida.

The Alabama Crimson Tide look to finish the 2019-2020 college football season on a high note. Unlike the 2012 battle Alabama with Michigan, this is the end of the season instead of the beginning for both teams. Both the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Michigan Wolverines will fight hard on Jan. 1, 2020 in Orlando, Florida, but only one will finish the year with a win. For the Alabama Crimson Tide they hope to be productive on both sides of the ball and by the end of the game, have a similar result to the last matchup they had with Michigan on Sept. 1, 2012.

The oddsmakers think the game will be nothing like 2012. Instead, my prediction is Alabama Crimson Tide 42 Michigan Wolverines 17.