After a month of stewing over the what-ifs in the loss to Ohio State, Michigan finally enters a game week.
The Wolverines who are traveled with the team and not from their homes boarded a plane in Michigan Saturday afternoon and arrive in Miami Saturday evening to prepare for Friday's Orange Bowl against Florida State.
They'll endure a bowl week unique to teams outside the College Football Playoff. It'll be as much about work as Jim Harbaugh is allowed all focused toward a win.
Not fun and a win. Because, as Harbaugh will say, winning is the fun.
Free Press sports writer Mark Snyder breaks down the things we'll be watching this week, a month after seeing the Wolverines on the field in Columbus.
WILTON'S WING
What shape will Wilton Speight be in for this game? His collarbone/shoulder injury will be six weeks removed and we've seen him in many venues and situations since, including playing that game against Ohio State. He's admitted he was limited but hasn't specified how. Certainly, his ability to throw downfield was compromised and, once it became clear he couldn't do that, allowed Ohio State to adjust, knowing that wasn't in the U-M plans. There were times earlier in the season where Harbaugh raved about Speight's deep ball targeting and accuracy downfield and if that returned against the Seminoles, it could change the game, just as it did against Florida's talented secondary last year. Speight also noted last week that he didn't get out of the pocket as much against Ohio State as he would like. With the nation's sack leader bringing the heat, we'll see if he has happy feet or that helps him feel more comfortable. But he insists he's far more comfortable and healthy than vs. the Buckeyes, which could diversify U-M's offense.
JABRILL'S JETS
Jabrill Peppers' first bowl game at Michigan may be his last. His hand/arm injury leading up to last year's Citrus Bowl had him insisting he would play, even the day before the game. But he did not, as many expected, ending the season with a whimper. After this past month away from football games, he may be physically fresher than he has been since early in the season. There was a point where he seemed mentally worn out from the award trips _ he traveled more than any player in the country during those 10 days _ but he will have had a few weeks without distractions leading up to the game. Though he hasn't addressed it, the game may be his last at U-M if he declares for the NFL as a redshirt sophomore and this could be his opportunity to put on a show. Expect Harbaugh to gladly use him in every role possible, knowing Peppers will be eager to try anything in the spotlight game of the night.
D-LINE DANCE
In three of Michigan's final five games, the opponent rushed for at least 164 yards. Not surprisingly those games had the most in doubt in the final minutes. For Michigan to continue to claim its superiority as one of the nation's best defenses _ and the statistics support that _ the Wolverines will have to prove it against the nation's best tailback, Florida State's Dalvin Cook. His combination of size, speed and production has set him apart for each of the past two seasons and made him one of the most productive backs in ACC history. If the Wolverines can contain him, that would be a dramatic statement on a huge stage and put heavy pressure on FSU's young quarterback, Deondre Francois, to test U-M's elite secondary, which hasn't gone well for many opponents this year.
SENIOR STARS
Michigan's starting roster is as senior-heavy as any in the country with 18 senior starters and the kicker/punter. Though a few seniors may return as fifth-year players (Mike McCray, Khalid Hill, Maurice Hurst), the majority of them will be playing their final game. Which always creates an interesting dynamic in non-playoff bowl games as to the players' motivation. Given the profile of the game being in the New Year's Six and the buildup, distraction nor drive should be an issue. The other part pushing the Michigan players is that this is essentially their NFL showcase. It's the only bowl game that night, in a spot where scouts will gladly show up and against another team with NFL-level athletes, so there's no question about the competition. Harbaugh has told the seniors this is their chance to make money with their draft status, so taking it seriously will literally pay off.
COACHING CAJONES
The game's coaches, Harbaugh and Florida State's Jimbo Fisher, are among the most praised in the game. And both have big enough personalities that they're central figures in a scene like this. But it's tough to read how they'll treat this game within it. No one accuses Harbaugh of playing fast and loose but would he be willing to take more chances because it's a high-profile game but there are no further stakes? No one questions his relentlessness in keeping the pressure on, but many were surprised by U-M's conservative game plan vs. the Buckeyes, especially later in the game.
Orange Bowl
Matchup: No. 6 Michigan (10-2, 7-2 Big Ten) vs. No. 10 Florida State (9-3, 5-3 ACC).
When: 8 p.m. Friday.
Where: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Fla.
TV: ESPN.
Line: Wolverines by 7.
