Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
ORANGE BOWL MATCHUP
Florida State, led by running back and Miami native Dalvin Cook, will play Michigan.
After hosting a playoff game last year, the Capital One Orange Bowl will once again feature a matchup that should attract attention.
Sunday, it was announced No. 6 Michigan will face No. 10 Florida State on Dec. 30 at Hard Rock Stadium. A year ago, it was the site of the national semifinal between Clemson and Oklahoma.
“We feel very fortunate, excited about it,” FSU coach Jimbo Fisher said. “We’re excited about the opponent. Michigan has had a great year. We’ve had a great year. … We’re looking forward to carrying the torch for the ACC and hopefully playing well.”
This will mark just the third meeting between the Wolverines and Seminoles, with the last coming in 1991. When the teams played in 1986 — a 20-18 Michigan victory — Wolverines coach Jim Harbaugh was the winning quarterback.
The game will also serve as a welcomed consolation prize for both teams. The Wolverines (10-2) had slim hopes of qualifying for this season’s playoff, but their resume wasn’t enough to overcome Washington,
Clemson or Ohio State, all of which had one fewer defeat.
Michigan’s loss to Ohio State in their regular-season finale essentially ended their chances of staying in the national-championship picture. After starting with nine consecutive wins, Michigan ended the year by losing two of three.
“It was basic emotions,” Michigan tight end Jake Butt said. “Obviously, the goal was to be in the playoffs and we weren’t. Really, we can’t blame no one but ourselves. We left our fate in the hands of other teams and we understand that. With that being said, we’re excited about this game.”
Florida State (9-3) closed much stronger and should enter the matchup with more momentum. They fell to 3-2 following a loss to North Carolina in early October but finished by winning six of seven, including 31-13 victory against rival Florida to end the season.
“We finished up very strong,” Fisher said. “I think our nonconference [schedule] and the way we approached that. … I think the committee rewarded that.”
The Seminoles, who are playing in an NCAA-record 35th consecutive bowl game, are led by running back and Miami native Dalvin Cook, who ran for 1,686 yards and 18 touchdowns. Defensive end DeMarcus Walker was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year after recording 15 sacks and 64 tackles. Cornerback Tavarus McFadden, who led all of Football Bowl Subdivision with eight interceptions, won the Jack Tatum Award as the nation’s best defensive back.
They will face a balanced Michigan offense that features quarterback Wilton Speight, receiver Amara Darboh and running back De’Veon Smith. Butt, who was recently named the Big Ten’s top tight end for a second consecutive season.
Aside from marquee players, the game will showcase two of the highest-paid coaches in the country. Harbaugh, in his second season, tops the list at $9 million annually. Fisher is fifth at $5.25 million per year, but that could increase after turning down a chance to coach LSU last month.
For Michigan, this is its third trip to the Orange Bowl. In 1976, it lost 14-6 to Oklahoma and defeated Alabama 35-34 in 2000. The Seminoles are a far more frequent visitor to the bowl, getting set for their 10th appearance. They defeated Northern Illinois 31-10 in 2013 and are 4-5 all-time in the game.