Michigan vs. Florida 2017

This is not funny or fun.  Jordan Scarlett, #119 and twice as many carries and yards as anyone else last year suspended.  It is now ten players total including, arguably, the Gators' best player in Antonio Callaway.  It is so stupid, but also pretty minor in that no one was hurt and restitution has been made.  I have to assume they are told what can and cannot be purchased with the school-issued debit cards.

Still, the university and Jim McElwain feel it is serious enough for a major stain.  With Harbaugh and the secrets thing we don't know, but now Michigan has to win.

Another of the ten players is James Robinson, a tall, big, and formerly close to a national 100 player as a wide receiver.  He was previously cited for pot on a recruiting visit to Ohio State--and many top programs backed away--and this is his second offense at Florida already.

Florida looks awful.  For Michigan, who had a shot and was favored before the suspensions, Florida has now lost 12% of their scholarship players, including their two best offensive weapons, and a redshirt freshman is starting his first game.  If Michigan has any ideas of getting through a tough Big Ten near the top they better win this game.

It is not an away game and Michigan "travels" fine.  Assuming the atmosphere is even, Michigan should win this game.

Here are two things, from a Michigan perspective, that they have going for them.

1.  All the talk about how many players Michigan lost from last year, while true, is overblown.  The defensive line, for instance, is experienced enough to call each player a starter.  Devin Bush, Jr. (who is a key player and has to avoid penalties and stay in the game) has played a lot too; same on offense with running backs Higdon, Evans, and Isaac, for example.

2.  Michigan has a huge advantage at quarterback.  Will Speight be shaky but OK? No one has ever questioned his leadership and that's what this game needs.  Probably he'll be at least a little better than his worst, and that will be enough.  Michigan also has John O'Korn.

Magnus, who really does a nice job with his countdowns, has analyzed a lot of things from last year and who knows.  24-10, at least, sounds good.