The Michigan Wolverines and Alabama Crimson Tide will be playing each other in the Citrus Bowl on New Year's Day (1:00 PM EST).
Of course, the Wolverines will have their hands full with the Crimson Tide, who have won five national championships since 2009. But for Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh, he's looking forward to what he's calling the opportunity ahead for the Wolverines.
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“Great opponent on New Year’s Day,” head coach Jim Harbaugh told Jon Jansen on Learfield IMG’s weekly Inside Michigan Football radio show. “Big challenges for the team and the coaches. And opportunity. The opportunity of thinking you’re a good team and wanting to go out and prove that.”
And speaking of opportunity, that's exactly what Harbaugh is describing the Citrus Bowl will be affording to outgoing players like Lavert Hill and Josh Uche.
“The thing that should be on the mind the most is the opportunity,” Harbaugh said. “Lavert Hill – what kind of opportunity he has to go up against the Alabama receivers and show how good he is. Josh Uche, you mention him, the opportunity he has going up against two tackles that will probably be drafted in the first 20 picks in the NFL Draft. Jon Runyan, the opportunity he has.
“I think the way they oughta think about it and the way their mindset should be is: they’re good, and they’re gonna go up against good players. And there’s an opportunity to show just how good you are.”
Of course, the players are looking forward to the matchup. Michigan OL Jon Runyan went so far as to say that the Crimson Tide are “just another team”.
– – Quotes courtesy of Isaiah Hole of WolverinesWire Link – –
