Published Dec 31, 2019
10 interesting numbers heading into Alabama vs. Michigan in the Citrus Bowl
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Tony Tsoukalas  •  TideIllustrated
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No. 13 Alabama and No. 14 Michigan will wrap up their seasons in the Citrus Bowl when the two teams square off on Wednesday at noon CT inside Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla. The Crimson Tide (10-2) is currently a 7.5-point favorite over the Wolverines (9-3), according to Vegas Insider. Here are some numbers to consider heading into the matchup.

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Alabama by the numbers 

0 — Alabama is one of three Division I schools yet to see its opponents miss a field goal this season. Crimson Tide opponents are a perfect 17 of 17 on field-goal attempts. Clemson has seen its opponents go 12-for-12 while Colorado State has watched its foes convert all 15 of their tries. Michigan has made 13 of 19 (68.4 percent) of its field-goal attempts this year.

6 — Alabama has gone six straight postseason games without recording a 100-yard rusher. The last Crimson Tide player to eclipse the century mark in a postseason game was Bo Scarbrough, who ran for 180 yards and two touchdowns in the 2016 Peach Bowl against Washington. The good news for Alabama is that starting running back Najee Harris has run for 100 or more yards five times already this season.

14. 5 — Alabama leads the nation holding its opponents to 14.5 yards per kick return this season. The Crimson Tide is one of two teams limiting its opponents to fewer than 15 yards per return. Akron is second in the nation, allowing 14.97 yards per attempt. Michigan ranks No. 15 in the nation averaging 24.68 yards per kick return. The Wolverines are led by Giles Jackson, who is averaging 24.9 yards per attempt with a 97-yard return for a touchdown against Maryland.

41 — Alabama receiver Jerry Jeudy needs 41 receiving yards to reach the 1,000-yard mark through the air. If he does so, he will join teammate DeVonta Smith (1,200 receiving yards) marking the first time two Crimson Tide receivers have accomplished the feat in the same season. After winning the Biletnikoff Award with 1,315 receiving yards last year Jeudy can also become just the third Alabama player with two 1,000-yards seasons, joining Amari Cooper (2012, 2014) and D.J. Hall (2006, 2007).

50 — Alabama is the only team in the nation yet to allow a play from scrimmage to go 50 or more yards this season. The Crimson Tide has allowed the fewest plays resulting in 40 or more yards (2). Notre Dame has allowed just one play of 50 or more yards, while Kentucky and South Florida have given up just five plays apiece of more than 40 yards.

Michigan by the numbers 

6.66 — Michigan’s defense has been solid at stopping the run, allowing opposing ball carriers to average just 3.03 yards per carry. However, against the three top-50 rushers it has faced this season — Wisconsin's Jonathan Taylor, Ohio State’s J.K. Dobbins and Middle Tennessee State’s Asher O’Hara — the Wolverines have seen that average more than double to 6.66 yards per carry. That’s bad news for Michigan as Alabama running back Najee Harris ranks No. 34 in the nation with 1,088 yards on the ground this season.

16 — This will mark the 16th time Michigan has faced an SEC team in a bowl game. The Wolverines hold an 8-7 record in those contests. Michigan has played 36 total games against the SEC and holds a 25-10-1 record against the conference. This will be the fifth matchup between Alabama and Michigan with both teams winning two of the previous four meetings.

31.9 — Third downs have been a bit of a mixed bag for Michigan. However, on the defensive side of the ball, the Wolverines have been able to get the job done. Michigan ranks No. 18 in the nation, allowing opponents to convert on just 31.98 percent of their third-down opportunities. Those numbers would be even better if not for a poor performance against Ohio State where the Wolverines allowed the Buckeyes to convert on 8 of 16 third-down tries.

38.46 — Things have been much worse for Michigan’s offense on third down. The Wolverines rank No. 82 in the nation, converting on just 38.46 percent of their third-down opportunities.

45.09 — Michigan punter Will Hart ranks No. 15 in the nation averaging 45.09 yards per attempt. However, while the senior can boot the ball, that could provide space for Alabama returner Jaylen Waddle, who leads the nation with 24.95 yards per return.

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Andrew Bone, of BamaInsider.com, is a real estate broker in the state of Alabama. 

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