CITRUS BOWL -- There's no bigger public fade than taking Michigan in this one on New Year's Day. William Hill reports 90 percent of the action is on Alabama as apparently bettors have no problem laying a touchdown-plus on a club that will have a ton of NFL-draft related absences and questionable motivation. Michigan has its flaws too, but also has more of a chance of wanting this game and can hang with the Crimson Tide if it comes in prepared.

CITRUS BOWL -- Anticipate coaches Jim Harbaugh and Nick Saban calling a carefree game in a bowl matchup disappointing to both teams. If history is a guide, we might see points galore. Michigan has jumped the total in its last four bowls and Alabama in seven of its last eight. Quarterback Mac Jones has settled in as Tua Tagovailoa’s replacement; Bama has scored 38, 66 (albeit against Western Carolina) and 45 in his starts. Three of the Crimson Tide’s top NFL prospects who could have opted out are wideouts, while two who will skip play linebacker and cornerback.

CITRUS BOWL -- There's a train of thought out there that this will be one of those games that features an un-motivated SEC team that really doesn't want to be there. I don't think that's the case. The buzz out of Tuscaloosa is that there are a lot of players on the roster who aren't only excited about playing the Wolverines, but are planning to come back instead of jumping to the NFL. Crimson Tide quarterback Mac Jones will have a field day against a Michigan defense that won't be up for the challenge.

CITRUS BOWL -- I look forward to seeing a defensive struggle in this game, but the Crimson Tide has an advantage worth at least a touchdown on offense. Alabama has the most dynamic quartet of receivers in college football, and all will be playing in this game. The defensive matchup is a wash, so getting enough from the playmakers will be the difference.