11Alive Sports' Jay Clemons will chronicle the good, bad and ugly from today's happenings at the Peach Bowl, pitting No. 7 Michigan and No. 10 Florida.
12:07 p.m. EST
Greetings, everyone. Happy holidays! Now that we've gotten the pleasantries out of the way, VegasInsider.com had Michigan listed as a 4-point favorite at kickoff, with the Wolverines and Gators earmarked for an over/under of 51.
If you've been paying attention to the bowl games to date, the 'over' has been crushed roughly 70 percent of the time.
In this case, however, it wouldn't really shock me (or anyone) if the two teams barely cracked 45 combined points.
The defenses are full of NFL-caliber talent ... and the offenses are hardly juggernauts.
12:10 p.m. EST
Michigan's Christian Turner breaks off a long touchdown run ... but alas, it's called back after Instant Replay showed that Turner might have stepped out of bounds around the 40-yard line.
CLEMONS/FUN FACTS: Celebrating 50 years of the Peach Bowl in Atlanta
12:12 p.m. EST
Two minutes later, Michigan gets stuffed on a 4th-and-inches play (simple fullback dive), eschewing the rushing talents of Turner and Karan Higdon.
Florida ball.
12:24 p.m.
I've been somewhat critical of Florida QB Feleipe Franks over the last two seasons, especially when it comes to pocket presence.
However, his 49-yard toss to Van Jefferson--with a clean throwing pocket--was reminiscent of the hype that surrounded Franks upon entering the college ranks.
Rivals.com had Franks listed as the No. 3 pro-style passer in the Class of 2016, ranked ahead of Ohio State star Dwayne Haskins.
12:27 p.m.
A few plays later, Franks sprint-rolls to his right and seemingly doesn't notice a wide-open Gators target in the end zone. He settles for an innocent incompletion ... and Florida settles for an elementary field goal, as well.
FLORIDA 3, MICHIGAN 0
12:38 p.m.
My dad, who's a proud Michigan alum and unabashed Wolverines fan, texted me with the following:
Michigan looks to be out-classed. Or should I say ... Harbaugh.
12:42 p.m.
Michigan quarterback Shea Patterson, Rivals' top-ranked dual-threat QB from the Class of 2016, is starting to catch fire.
First, his back-shoulder fade down the left side was a perfect strike for Nico Collins (41-yard reception). Give Collins credit for making a great adjustment on the ball, in-flight.
Four plays later, Patterson arches a picture-perfect rainbow fade to Donovan Peoples-Jones for a 9-yard touchdown.
MICHIGAN 7, FLORIDA 3
12:56 p.m.
Evan McPherson's 26-yard field goal culminates a 10-play, 66-yard drive for the Gators.
On the down side, that's two sustained scoring drives ... that never reached the end zone.
MICHIGAN 7, FLORIDA 6
1:04 p.m.
On 3rd and long, Patterson scrambles out of a collapsing pocket and seemingly has a path for the first down. But the Florida defense swarms at the second, precluding Patterson from moving the chains.
1:11 p.m.
On 3rd and 18, Florida's Franks has two Gator wideouts running 'Fly' patterns down the left sideline.
But ay the rub, Franks chose the Florida receiver that wasn't open. Incomplete pass ... and resulting in a Florida punt.
1:13 p.m.
Uh, scratch that. Florida just royally screwed up the punt attempt ... taking their sweet time with this seemingly routine drill.
The bad result: Michigan blocks the punt ... and now has the ball deep into Florida territory.
1:15 p.m.
Michigan averts disaster on back-to-back plays.
First up, Shea Patterson gets stripped of the ball before attempting a pass. (Michigan subsequently recovered it, and advanced a few more yards.)
Secondly, Jake Moody's 48-yard field-goal attempt had just enough oomph to stay with the goalposts.
Whew!
MICHIGAN 10, FLORIDA 6
1:24 p.m.
Franks' 30-yard run down the left side puts Florida in prime scoring range; and true to form, the Gators are once again having trouble hitting paydirt in the end zone.
A Michigan sack has placed this once-secure scoring drive on shaky ground.
1:29 p.m.
Well, don't I feel like the fool.
Franks, operating as a 'Wildcat' quarterback for this play, immediately hits the rushing lane after receiving the snap.
On his way to the goal line, the 6-foot-6, 240-pound Franks (body comp: Cam Newton) executes a loooooooooooooong leap into the end zone. Touchdown, Florida!
FLORIDA 13, MICHIGAN 10
1:39 p.m.
Jake Moody's 52-yard FG attempt starts left .... draws right ... but just misses the inside of the goal posts.
With this foiled drive, Michigan enters halftime trailing by three.
HALF: FLORIDA 13, MICHIGAN 10
1:40 p.m.
Alex Glaze, my good friend and co-worker at 11Alive Sports, just pointed out something verrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry interesting:
The halftime over/under for Michigan-Florida was 25.5 points.
2:17 p.m.
On a 4th and 1 call, Florida executes a timely jet sweep to Kadarius Toney ... who beats the Michigan defense to the edge and rumbles to the 5-yard line. His 30-yard carry paves the way for ...
2:18 p.m.
... A scoring connection of Franks to Lamical Perine. The quick-hitch TD pass pushes Florida's lead to 10 points.
FLORIDA 20, MICHIGAN 10
2:34 p.m.
Well, things are starting to get out hand at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
First, Florida tailback Jordan Scarlett bowls through the Michigan defense like an untamed bull in a foul mood.
A few plays later, Franks' option pitch to Scarlett leads to an easy touchdown run from point-blank range.
This baby's becoming a rout!
FLORIDA 27, MICHIGAN 10
2:50 p.m.
Michigan's Tarik Black catches an apparent touchdown pass from Patterson ... but did he corral the ball on the way to the ground?
Instant replay suggests ... no.
2:52 p.m.
Michigan settles for a chip-shot field goal.
FLORIDA 27, MICHIGAN 13
3:46 p.m.
Sorry, we had to break away to write the game story.
Did we miss anything?
Oh, that's right. Florida tacked on two touchdowns ... and Michigan blocked its second punt of the day.
Guess who ended up on top?
FINAL: FLORIDA 41, MICHIGAN 15
Thanks for reading ... Happy New Year!