You know how a couple of weeks ago, everyone was buzzing about how the expanded playoffs might make bowl games feel a bit pointless? A lot of folks were saying they wouldn’t really matter anymore. But here we are, and it turns out they’ve actually delivered some fantastic games! Like, they feel more like those fun spin-off episodes you watch when you’re waiting for the main story to kick back in.
Take this weekend, for example. After that kinda boring first round of the College Football Playoff, the bowl games really stepped up and kept us entertained. But for teams like Michigan and Alabama, the ReliaQuest Bowl is more than just a chance to have some fun. It’s actually a big deal for them.
Both teams had a pretty rough ride this season, especially with first-year head coaches who haven’t quite managed to bring back the glory of what their predecessors achieved. So, this matchup is a big opportunity for Sherrone Moore of Michigan. He can use this game to build some momentum going into next year and, you know, finish the season on a high note.
Even though both teams didn’t perform great overall, they still have a ton of talent that could definitely make it to the NFL. But, of course, as is the case every year, a bunch of those star players are sitting out to protect themselves for the draft.
I was watching the Michigan Sports Talk YouTube channel, and one insider shared some cool info about how the Wolverines will look in Tampa on New Year’s Eve. One interesting tidbit was about QB Alex Orji. He’s actually entered the transfer portal but is still at the training facility with the team and is gearing up to play! That’s kinda wild, right? It just shows how invested some of these players are, even when they’re exploring other options.
With players having more power than ever, they can easily decide to skip out on these games to protect their futures. But that’s what makes Alex Orji’s decision to play so surprising—and honestly, pretty refreshing.
Sherrone Moore, Michigan’s head coach, really needs Orji out there, especially since star running back Kalel Mullings isn’t playing in the bowl. Orji is a fantastic runner for a quarterback, so he might just be able to step in and help fill that gap on the ground. But it’s not just about offense; the D-line has its own challenges, too. They’ll be missing some key players who opted out to focus on the NFL Draft—Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant, and Josiah Stewart all decided to protect themselves from injury.
Now, without those starters, it looks like T.J. Guy and Derrick Moore are going to be the edge rushers, with Rayshaun Benny and Trey Pierce taking over at D-tackle. It’s kind of the new norm in college football, where you don’t really see backlash for players opting out anymore. But then there’s this ongoing debate about the spirit of competition. Some fans and stakeholders really push back against players who sit out, saying it’s all about teamwork and camaraderie. Others totally understand the risks involved, especially since one wrong move can change a player’s career forever.
Over the weekend, Miami’s quarterback Cam Ward stirred things up by deciding to only play the first half of the Pop-Tarts Bowl before sitting out. His team ended up trailing, and people were not thrilled. It felt like he just wanted to get in the record books for all-time D-1 touchdowns before calling it quits, which left his teammates in a tough spot. That kind of action fired up the critics who think players are being selfish and not putting the team first.
So, in light of all that, Alex Orji’s choice to play is even more significant. He’s considering transferring, but he’s still committing to help his teammates and coach Moore. It’s a pretty clear contrast to what we just saw with Cam Ward. Orji’s just like, “I’m here for my team,” and it shows how complicated and polarizing college football can be. He’s hoping to end his Michigan journey on a high note with a big win against Alabama. It’s all interesting to watch, and I’m really curious to see how it all plays out