The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Florida sees chance for defining win
Beating Michigan truly would show Gators are on move under Mullen.
Coach Dan Mullen knows he was hired to do more than just lead Florida to any bowl game.
Mullen’s mandate is to bring championships to the Gators. His first-year results show he’s on the right path.
There may be no better way for Florida to cap its 2018 rebound under Mullen than to finally beat Michigan for the first time in today’s Peach Bowl.
Mullen has led Florida (9-3) to a dramatic turnaround from a 4-7 finish in 2017. Michigan (10-2) is a perfect measuring stick.
The Wolverines will play Florida for the third time in Jim Harbaugh’s four seasons as coach. Michigan opened the 2017 season with a 33-17 win over the Gators and beat them 41-7 in the 2016 Citrus Bowl. Overall, Michigan is 4-0 against the Gators.
The more important record to Michigan fans is Harbaugh’s 0-4 record against rival Ohio State,
including a 62-39 loss on Nov. 24. Michigan wanted to win the Big Ten title for the first time since 2004 and the national championship for the first time since 1997. The ugly loss to Ohio State dashed those hopes.
“Right now, to be frank, we have a bad taste in our mouths,” said Michigan offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton.
The Wolverines will play without four key starters, including top rusher Karan Higdon, who are skipping the game to focus on the NFL draft. Florida has all its players and ample motivation to make a statement.
Florida fullback R.J. Raymond said beating Michigan would show the Gators are on the move. A win today would “be huge for coach Mullen and huge for this program,” Raymond said. “It would kind of show the Gators are back and we’re not playing around anymore.”
Here are some more things to know about the Peach Bowl:
Motivated Michigan: Harbaugh has tried to sell his players on the goal of an 11th win for only the 10th time in school history. “We’re ready to go and ready to compete,” he said Friday. WR Donovan Peoples-Jones said players “have to play for ourselves and for Michigan. There’s seniors that are going to be playing their last game, so for me it’s not going to be hard to be motivated. It’s on a big stage so I’m happy.”
Return ticket: Mullen said he hopes to return to Atlanta in 2019, when the Peach Bowl will be the site of a College Football Playoff semifinal. Mercedes-Benz Stadium also is home to the Southeastern Conference championship game, Florida’s best path to the playoff.
History lesson: This is Michigan’s first Peach Bowl appearance. Florida is 0-2 in the game with losses to West Virginia in 1981 and Miami in 2004.
Non-denial denial: Harbaugh replied to speculation about his possible interest in the NFL earlier this month when he said firmly he is staying at Michigan. Even so, he was asked again Friday if he or his representatives had been contacted by any NFL team. This time, Harbaugh was more evasive.
“I really don’t have any representatives,” he said. “No agent or anything.”