Michigan Looks to Slow Cook

The 2016 Capital One Orange Bowl pits the Michigan Wolverines and the Florida State Seminoles against each other. They meet at Hard Rock Stadium at 8 pm EST on ESPN.  Both teams are disappointed by not being in the College Football Playoff after late losses, but both teams have lots to play for. Michigan is also fighting rumors of coach Jim Harbaugh headed to the Los Angeles Rams after the season. Oddsmakers currently have the Wolverines listed as 7-point favorites versus the Seminoles, while the game’s total is sitting at 51. The total has dropped like a brick after opening at 55. Last time out for Florida State, they were a 31-13 winner as they battled Florida Gators at home. Florida State covered in the match as a -8.5-point favorite, while 44 combined points moved the game UNDER for totals bettors. Dalvin Cook is probably playing in his final college game when he steps on the field at the Orange Bowl. Cook hasn’t announced what his future holds, but he wasn’t interested in the paths taken by Leonard Fournette and Christian McCaffrey. They chose to sit out their respective bowl games. Instead, Cook is aiming to lead the 10th-ranked Seminoles past the 6th-ranked Michigan in Friday Night’s Capital One Orange Bowl. Cook is ranked as the 12th-best overall NFL draft prospect. He is the second-best running back, behind Fournette. NFLDraftScout.com bumped him up in the rankings after a standout season in which he rushed for 1,620 yards and 18 touchdowns. He also added 426 receiving yards and one touchdown. He was a finalist for the Doak Walker Award, which goes to the nation’s top running back. Florida State’s defense has been up and down this year. The Seminoles allowed an average of 45.7 points in their three defeats. In spite of that they feature two big-time players in senior defensive end DeMarcus Walker. He had 15 sacks in 2016 and is 3rd in school history. Sophomore cornerback Tarvarus McFadden tied for the national lead with eight interceptions. He also won the Jack Tatum Award as the nation’s top defensive back. Florida State averages 35.2 points on offense and redshirt freshman quarterback Deondre Francis threw for 3,128 yards and 18 touchdowns against six interceptions.

Is Michigan Over the letdown of not making CFP?

Michigan was a 30-27 loser in double overtime in its last matchup. It was on the road against their arch-rival, The Ohio State Buckeyes. They covered the +3.5-point spread as underdogs, while the total score of 57 sent OVER bettors to the payout window. The Wolverines rank second nationally in scoring defense at 12.5 points per game and total defense at 252.7 yards. Michigan also ranks 13th in rushing defense at 116.8 ypg. It has limited opponents to a 3.1 average per carry and allowed just seven rushing touchdowns. But theyknow they have a big challenge on their hands with Dalvin Cook. Wolverines sophomore quarterback Wilton Speight passed for 2,375 yards and 17 touchdowns. He has regularly teamed up with senior tight end Jake Butt. The tight end has caught 43 passes for 518 yards and holds the school marks for most career receptions (135) and yardage (1,618) by a tight end.

Orange Bowl Stats and Matchups

Michigan: Team record: 10-2 SU,6-6 ATS Michigan is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games Michigan is 11-2 SU in its last 13 games The total has gone OVER in 16 of Michigan’s last 20 games Florida State: Team record: 9-3 SU,7-5 ATS Current Streak: won 4 straight games. Florida State is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games Florida State is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Florida State’s last 8 games Get all your College Football Odds at Bovada Online Sportsbook.