College Football Playoffs: What Makes Michigan-Alabama So Fascinating
USA TODAY Sports' Dan Wolken previews Alabama vs. Michigan and why it should be an exciting College Football Playoff.
The bowl season continues happily on Saturday with seven games. Coincidentally, six of them are members of the Sun Belt Conference.
This was by no means predetermined, but the league happened to have a record 12 teams meet the eligibility threshold, including one that came earlier than planned (more on that below).
It probably won't hurt that three of the day's contests come in the heart of Sun Belt territory in the Yellowhammer State, but outside of that trio, three Mountain West Conference representatives will be the league's counterpart. The program also includes a prime-time battle of the powers conference in the desert. Here's the full schedule for – oh, let's just start with “Sun Belt Saturday.”
This is the SBC's only attempt at facing a so-called Power Five conference squad, and it seems fitting that the league champion gets that chance. In fact, both schools are led by interim coaches, with Duke's Mike Elko and Troy's Jon Sumrall heading to Texas A&M and Tulane, respectively. Trooper Taylor will look after the Blue Devils' store while they await the arrival of Manny Diaz, and the Trojans will be led by Greg Gasparato while Gerad Parker is on the move. From a gameplay perspective, the exodus via the portal was obviously more consequential for Duke, particularly on the defensive side. Trojans RB Kimani Vidal will look to take advantage, although he will likely face Duke LB Tre Freeman frequently. Blue Devils QB Grayson Loftis, who was brought in as a rookie when Riley Leonard was sidelined midway through the season, is hoping to avoid Trojans DE Javon Solomon as he looks to add to his 16 sacks.
This is the first of two contests on the day pitting the Mid-American Conference against the Sun Belt, with those two leagues having split their first two meetings of the postseason so far. Arkansas State is bowling for the first time since 2019, but Northern Illinois will be just as motivated and looking to end a seven-game losing streak. The RedWolves' attack is led by QB Jaylen Raynor, a good ball distributor who excels at a quick pace. The Huskies are in a better position to control time of possession behind veteran QB Rocky Lombardi and workhorse RB Antario Brown.
Here we have the bowl newbies. The Duke program enjoyed numerous postseason success in the FCS playoffs and is now making its bowl debut in just its second year at the sport's highest level, despite losing coach Curt Cignetti to Indiana along the way. The Falcons are bowl regulars and have made numerous appearances in the event, but after an 8-0 start to the season, they come into the game without any momentum after four games. QB Jordan McCloud, who plans to play in the team's bowl game, is the driving force for the Dukes, making extensive use of 1,000-yard WRs Elijah Sarratt and Reggie Brown. Air Force's option attack was far less efficient as QB Zac Larrier and FB Emmanuel Michel battled injuries down the stretch, but both should benefit from the time off and be available for this first-ever meeting with the Dukes.
The Panthers are a long way from home, but can't claim the title of longest trip of the day (we'll get to that in a moment). The Aggies found themselves further down the Mountain West pecking order than usual in 2023, but managed to qualify for a bowl for the 11th time in the last 13 seasons. The schools have never met, but Utah State coach Blake Anderson defeated Georgia State 5-1 during his tenure at Arkansas State. QB Levi Williams, who shined in the Aggies' double-overtime win at New Mexico in the regular-season finale, will get the nod again as Cooper Legas is still injured. Williams was the MVP in this bowl two seasons ago when he played for Wyoming. Georgia State has lost its last five games after a 6-1 start. The Panthers will also be without standout RB Marcus Carroll, who is headed to Missouri, which will require even more of QB Darren Grainger and WR Robert Lewis to run the offense.
This is a home game for the Jaguars, but the Eagles are in their third straight postseason and may not be an easy game. South Alabama fell in its other meeting with the MAC this season, falling at Central Michigan on Sept. 23, but the Jaguars also picked up a decisive win against Big 12 finalist Oklahoma State. QB Carter Bradley suffered a season-ending knee injury but is expected to take at least some of the snaps. His arsenal includes WR Caullin Lacy, who rushed for a whopping 1,316 yards, and La'Damian Webb, who rushed for 1,007 yards and 16 touchdowns. This is EMU's second contest at Alabama this season. The first one didn't go well as the Eagles fell at Jacksonville State, but they start a two-game winning streak. QB Austin Smith can be error-prone under duress, but RBs Samson Evans and Jaylon Jackson can help alleviate the pressure.
After winning the last two Pac-12 titles, the Utes are undeniably yet to arrive at their preferred bowl destination. Every postseason appearance was a reward for the Wildcats, who had to deal with a coaching change before the season began. Motivations aside, points could be crucial in this contest as defense is the strong side of the ball for both teams. The Wildcats' primary stoppers are LBs Bryce Gallagher and Xander Mueller, who will try to keep Utes RBs Ja'Quinden Jackson and Jaylon Glover under control. Utah DB Sione Vaki, who occasionally serves as an all-purpose weapon in the offensive backfield, will likely focus most of his attention on the Wildcats' most reliable producer, RB Cam Porter.
The day ends with this ultimate warm-weather destination, the camera footage of which is guaranteed to be the envy of northern viewers. It is actually the Spartans' second visit to the islands. In October, they defeated Hawaii's Rainbow Warriors during their six-game, season-ending winning streak that secured them a share of first place in the Mountain West, although tiebreakers kept them out of a spot in the championship game. SJSU should have most of its key pieces on hand, including QB Chevan Cordeiro and RB Kairee Robinson. The Chanticleers lost a lot of talent to the portal, most notably QB Grayson McCall, who is transferring to North Carolina State. The offense will likely be in the hands of freshman Ethan Vasko, who has four touchdown passes and a few more down the stretch.