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Florida Football: 3 Reasons to Watch 2018 Peach Bowl vs. Michigan

By John Mitchell

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 17: Emory Jones #5 of the Florida Gators runs with the football during the second half of their game against the Idaho Vandals at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 17: Emory Jones #5 of the Florida Gators runs with the football during the second half of their game against the Idaho Vandals at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
(Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /

3. Two strong defenses square off

Points will be at a premium in the Peach Bowl with two outstanding defenses on the field. The opening over/under is just 50.5 according to oddsshark.com, and I fully expect that number to drift lower and lower as we approach kickoff at the end of the month.

Michigan, even after giving up 62 points to Ohio State, ranks 5th in defensive S&P+. Florida slipped a bit down the stretch as well, and finished the season ranked 26th in defensive S&P+.

The Gators have been more inconsistent, but they have shown the ability to be elite on defense, particularly in wins over Mississippi State and LSU. They are strong on standard downs, and if they can get Michigan into obvious passing situations, they can get after Shea Patterson and force some havoc plays – Florida ranks 19th in the country in havoc play percentage, which is defined as a play ending with tackle-for-loss, pass defended, or forced fumble.

Michigan ranks 18th in Havoc plays, and will hope to also keep Florida off of standard downs so that they can pin their ears back and get after Feleipe Franks, and hopefully cause him to make some mistakes.

There are loads of talent on both defenses, with each sporting future pros across the depth chart. Even with Rashan Gary sitting out, Michigan still has the likes of Devin Bush and Chase Winovich, who are capable of impacting the game in big ways.

For Florida, the players to watch are defensive end Jachai Polite and defensive back Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, both of which could be first round picks in the 2019 draft.

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