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Capital One Bowl Capsule

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By ANDY STAPLES | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 1, 2008

MICHIGAN (8-4) VS. No. 9 FLORIDA (9-3)

KICKOFF: 1 p.m., Citrus Bowl, Orlando TV/RADIO: WFTS, Ch. 28/WDAE, 620 AM THE LINE: Florida by 11

KEEP AN EYE ON

Michigan — This could be the final game for Michigan WR Mario Manningham. The junior will have to decide after today whether he will enter the NFL draft. Manningham has caught 67 passes for 1,096 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Florida — Florida QB Tim Tebow. The sophomore spent the past month on the rubber-chicken awards circuit. He took home the Heisman Trophy — and just about everything else — but did it affect his preparation for the game? Also, how has his right hand healed since he broke it during the Florida State game Nov. 24?

KEY STAT

Michigan — Despite the fact that Michigan has a nation-best 33-year streak of playing in bowls, no current Wolverine has experienced a bowl win.

Florida — Gators coach Urban Meyer is 4-0 in bowl games as a head coach. His teams also are 23-2 when they have more than a week to prepare for a game.

INJURY UPDATE

Michigan — WR Antonio Bass (knee) is out. QB Chad Henne (shoulder) and RB Mike Hart (ankle) are probable.

Florida — QB Tim Tebow (hand), CB Joe Haden (ankle), DT Mike Pouncey (ankle) and OG Maurkice Pouncey (shoulder) are probable.

AT STAKE

Michigan — The Wolverines want to send Coach Lloyd Carr out with a win. Carr is retiring after 13 seasons. He has a career record 121-40 and one shared national title (1997).

Florida — The Gators would like to jump-start their 2008 season with a win. If the Gators play well, they may wind up ranked in the preseason top five.

KEY MATCHUPS

When Michigan has the ball — A healthy Hart should allow the Wolverines to diversify their offense against a Gators defense that has been suspect all season. Manningham could have a big day against Florida CBs Joe Haden and Wondy Pierre-Louis, who have struggled against marquee receivers this season.

When Florida has the ball — Michigan got shredded by spread offenses run by Appalachian State and Oregon, and if the Gators snap back to their late-season form, they could score in bunches. Expect Percy Harvin to catch and carry the ball, and expect Tebow to run plenty after having more than a month to rest the bruised right (non-throwing) shoulder he suffered Oct. 20 at Kentucky.

PREDICTION

If the Gators come to play, they should win handily. They'll have to withstand Michigan's initial emotional surge, but if they do, they should roll. But if Florida has spent the month getting overconfident, the Gators may have problems. The Wolverines are as healthy as they have been since the start of the season. Of course, they did lose to Appalachian State in their season opener.

Score: Florida 35, Michigan 20

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