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Michigan at Florida: 3 storylines to follow in week one

By Matty Breisch

ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 01: Michigan Wolverines and Florida Gators players line up before a snap during the second half of the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl game at Orlando Citrus Bowl on January 1, 2016 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 01: Michigan Wolverines and Florida Gators players line up before a snap during the second half of the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl game at Orlando Citrus Bowl on January 1, 2016 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images) /
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ORLANDO, FL – JANUARY 01: Tight end Carson Butler #85 of the Michigan Wolverines has the ball knocked loose by safety Major Wright #21 of the Florida Gators in the Capital One Bowl at Florida Citrus Bowl on January 1, 2008 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL – JANUARY 01: Tight end Carson Butler #85 of the Michigan Wolverines has the ball knocked loose by safety Major Wright #21 of the Florida Gators in the Capital One Bowl at Florida Citrus Bowl on January 1, 2008 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images) /

3. Defensive slugfest

This has the potential to be an excruciating low-scoring game. Last season, Florida’s defense ranked fifth in the nation in total defense.

Head coach Jim McElwain’s squad held opposing offenses to only 292.8 yards per game in 2016, while only giving up 1,931 passing yards in the entire season.

These stats are impressive, until you look at the defense they will be facing off against in Week 1.

Michigan fielded the best total defense in the nation last season, allowing only 261.8 yards per game to opposing teams, and only giving  up 1,853 passing yards — the best mark of any team in college football.

While both teams have lost their fair share of key defensive starters — like Taco Charlton, Jabrill Peppers, Jourdan Lewis, Quincy Wilson, Teez Tabor and Marcus Maye — this game still has the potential to be a defensive slugfest. Especially with the lack of offensive firepower on either team.

Last season, Florida ranked 96th in the nation in total offense, averaging only 367 yards per game. While the team could improve drastically with the dynamic backfield pairing of junior running back Jordan Scarlett (currently suspended) and quarterback Feleipe Franks, it’s unlikely that they will be putting up serious numbers in Week 1.

Michigan ranked 58th in the FBS in total offense, averaging 425 yards per game over the course of last season.

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However, unlike Florida who has a fairly veteran offense that’s improved over last season, Michigan will be breaking in as many as seven new starters on the offensive side of the ball, an incredibly tough task when facing off against the Gators’ relentless defensive front.

In a game where points may be hard to come by, it’ll be interesting to see which team is able to break out in Week 1.

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