Writer - Brian Pohl
Tampa, FL- From Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida comes the 2018 Outback Bowl, as the Big Ten Conference’s Michigan Wolverines take on the South-Eastern Conference’s South Carolina Gamecocks.
From both programs polarizing head coaches, to how each team has performed on the field this season, many similarities can be drawn between these two teams. Both touting young offenses with strong defenses, the 2018 Outback Bowl has the potential to be a low scoring affair, with the victor being whichever team can better protect the football.
The Michigan Wolverines enter the game with a season record 8-5. Averaging just under 26 points per game on the season, the Wolverines rank 85th in the nation in points per game. Michigan will look to returning Sophomore quarterback Brandon Peters, who has been cleared to play after receiving a concussion against Wisconsin on November 18th, to try and solidify the offense against a South Carolina defense that is allowing just under 21 points per game. Peters has played in five games this season, completing 37 of his 64 passes for four touchdowns. Using a balanced offensive attack, the Wolverines will rely on a bevy of young talent to support the returning Peters in Tampa.
At running back, Michigan has three backs that have surpassed 500-yards rushing on the season. With this being the first time the Wolverines have achieved it since 1991. Leading the way is Karan Higdon, who was voted by the Michigan coaching staff as their Offensive Player of the Year. Higdon has rushed 147 times on the season for 929-yards and 11 touchdowns, which places him third in the Big Ten for rushing touchdowns. Higdon’s running mate in the backfield is Chris Evans, who has rushed 126 times for 66-1 yards with six touchdowns on the season. The Wolverines hope the tandem of Higdon and Evan can provide a nice balance to the offense and open up the passing game.
The leading receiver for the Wolverines is tight end, Sean McKeon. The All-Big Ten honorable mention made nine starts this season, reeling in 29 passes for 285-yards and three touchdowns. McKeon has made a catch in 11 of Michigan’s 12 games this season and is a big red zone target for the Wolverines. The top wide-out for Michigan is Grant Perry who has caught 25-passes on the season for 307-yards and one touchdown this season. The veteran has played in 34 career games and will be called upon to help open the offense up.
The South Carolina Gamecocks also enter the game with a season record of 8-5. Under second-year head coach Will Muschamp, the Gamecocks have improved from their 6-7 2016 season, finishing second in the SEC Eastern Division behind the UGA Bulldogs. South Carolina looks to cap off their improved season with a victory over Michigan that would garner the attention of the college football world.
Leading the offense for the Gamecocks is Sophomore quarterback Jake Bentley. In his second season under center, Bentley has thrown for over 2,500-yards with 16-touchdowns on the season. Bentley has been turnover prone in his second year, though, throwing 11 interceptions this season. Much like the Wolverines, South Carolina will look to their young talent surrounding Bentley to step up in the Outback Bowl.
The rushing attack for South Carolina has been a committee effort after Rico Dowdle suffered a broken leg against Tennessee. The Gamecocks hope to have Dowdle back for the game but will have a set of running backs ready to go if he is unavailable. The leading rusher for South Carolina this season is A.J. Turner, who rushed 92 times for 517-yards and three touchdowns this season.
The Gamecocks will also be without leading receiver Deebo Samuel, who suffered a broken leg against Kentucky this season. In his absence, the leading duties will go to Sophomore receiver Bryan Edwards, who has totaled 59 catches on the season for 705-yards and four touchdowns. Edwards is a deep threat who could be a difference maker for South Carolina if he gets open.
With both teams having over a month to prepare for the Outback Bowl, it is an excellent opportunity for both coaches to get more young players involved in the game plan. With so much young talent surrounding both rosters, newcomers may be the difference maker in the game. Facing tough challenges against two solid defenses, it is more reasonable to believe this will be a defensive bout, with the team that can avoid turnover coming out victorious.
The Outback Bowl between the Michigan Wolverines and South Carolina Gamecocks will kick off from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on January 1st at noon.
From both programs polarizing head coaches, to how each team has performed on the field this season, many similarities can be drawn between these two teams. Both touting young offenses with strong defenses, the 2018 Outback Bowl has the potential to be a low scoring affair, with the victor being whichever team can better protect the football.
The Michigan Wolverines enter the game with a season record 8-5. Averaging just under 26 points per game on the season, the Wolverines rank 85th in the nation in points per game. Michigan will look to returning Sophomore quarterback Brandon Peters, who has been cleared to play after receiving a concussion against Wisconsin on November 18th, to try and solidify the offense against a South Carolina defense that is allowing just under 21 points per game. Peters has played in five games this season, completing 37 of his 64 passes for four touchdowns. Using a balanced offensive attack, the Wolverines will rely on a bevy of young talent to support the returning Peters in Tampa.
At running back, Michigan has three backs that have surpassed 500-yards rushing on the season. With this being the first time the Wolverines have achieved it since 1991. Leading the way is Karan Higdon, who was voted by the Michigan coaching staff as their Offensive Player of the Year. Higdon has rushed 147 times on the season for 929-yards and 11 touchdowns, which places him third in the Big Ten for rushing touchdowns. Higdon’s running mate in the backfield is Chris Evans, who has rushed 126 times for 66-1 yards with six touchdowns on the season. The Wolverines hope the tandem of Higdon and Evan can provide a nice balance to the offense and open up the passing game.
The leading receiver for the Wolverines is tight end, Sean McKeon. The All-Big Ten honorable mention made nine starts this season, reeling in 29 passes for 285-yards and three touchdowns. McKeon has made a catch in 11 of Michigan’s 12 games this season and is a big red zone target for the Wolverines. The top wide-out for Michigan is Grant Perry who has caught 25-passes on the season for 307-yards and one touchdown this season. The veteran has played in 34 career games and will be called upon to help open the offense up.
The South Carolina Gamecocks also enter the game with a season record of 8-5. Under second-year head coach Will Muschamp, the Gamecocks have improved from their 6-7 2016 season, finishing second in the SEC Eastern Division behind the UGA Bulldogs. South Carolina looks to cap off their improved season with a victory over Michigan that would garner the attention of the college football world.
Leading the offense for the Gamecocks is Sophomore quarterback Jake Bentley. In his second season under center, Bentley has thrown for over 2,500-yards with 16-touchdowns on the season. Bentley has been turnover prone in his second year, though, throwing 11 interceptions this season. Much like the Wolverines, South Carolina will look to their young talent surrounding Bentley to step up in the Outback Bowl.
The rushing attack for South Carolina has been a committee effort after Rico Dowdle suffered a broken leg against Tennessee. The Gamecocks hope to have Dowdle back for the game but will have a set of running backs ready to go if he is unavailable. The leading rusher for South Carolina this season is A.J. Turner, who rushed 92 times for 517-yards and three touchdowns this season.
The Gamecocks will also be without leading receiver Deebo Samuel, who suffered a broken leg against Kentucky this season. In his absence, the leading duties will go to Sophomore receiver Bryan Edwards, who has totaled 59 catches on the season for 705-yards and four touchdowns. Edwards is a deep threat who could be a difference maker for South Carolina if he gets open.
With both teams having over a month to prepare for the Outback Bowl, it is an excellent opportunity for both coaches to get more young players involved in the game plan. With so much young talent surrounding both rosters, newcomers may be the difference maker in the game. Facing tough challenges against two solid defenses, it is more reasonable to believe this will be a defensive bout, with the team that can avoid turnover coming out victorious.
The Outback Bowl between the Michigan Wolverines and South Carolina Gamecocks will kick off from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on January 1st at noon.