Colleges

Florida-Michigan preview box

By ANTONYA ENGLISH, Times Staff Writer
Published January 1, 2008

FAST FACTS

Michigan (8-4) vs. No. 9 Florida (9-3), 1 p.m.

It's the end of an era versus a jump on the future when Michigan meets Florida in the Capital One Bowl. Coach Lloyd Carr is looking for victory No. 122 at Michigan in his final game, while the Gators are hoping to close out with back-to-back 10-win seasons for the first time since 2000-01, which they hope will be a springboard for next season. The game features two prolific passers in Florida's Tim Tebow (3,132 yards) and Michigan's Chad Henne (1,565), who missed 4 1/2 games due to injuries. Florida's defensive front will have its hands full with a Michigan offensive line led by tackle Jake Long, a two-time consensus All-American and two-time Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year and two-time first team left guard Adam Kraus. But that line struggled with consistency late in the season, and the Gators are hoping to capitalize with speed and aggressiveness in an effort to neutralize Doak Walker Award finalist Mike Hart. Michigan's defense has allowed opponents an average 20.2 points and 330 yards per game but will face Florida's offense, which averages 462 yards and 43 points per game. Carr said stopping Tebow and the Gator receivers is a major task for the Wolverines.

[Last modified December 31, 2007, 20:15:39]