Jerry Jeudy, No. 13 Alabama Beat No. 14 Michigan 35-16 in Citrus Bowl

The Alabama Crimson Tide ended this season on a high note with a 35-16 victory over the Michigan Wolverines in the 2020 Citrus Bowl. 

This was a different season for Nick Saban's team, which is accustomed to playing for national titles after making five straight trips to the College Football Playoff. They lost two games in the regular season for the first time since 2010. 

Rather than get down on themselves, though, the Crimson Tide responded with their best win of the season against a Michigan team that continues to struggle on the big stage. 

Alabama overcame a sluggish first half, especially on defense, to earn the win. Mac Jones was terrific in his first bowl game, throwing two of his three touchdowns in the second half. Jerry Jeudy, in potentially his final college game, went out in style with a career-high 204 receiving yards. 

After scoring 16 points in the first half, Michigan's offense was shutout for the final 30 minutes. Jim Harbaugh has now lost four straight bowl games since a 41-7 win over Florida in the 2016 Citrus Bowl. 

Notable Game Stats

• Mac Jones, QB (Alabama): 16-25, 327 yards, 3 TDs
• Najee Harris, RB (Alabama): 24 carries, 136 yards, 2 TDs
• Jerry Jeudy, WR (Alabama): 6 catches, 204 yards, 1 TD
• DeVonta Smith, WR (Alabama): 3 catches, 56 yards, 1 TD
• Shea Patterson, QB (Michigan): 17-37, 233 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs
• Zach Charbonnet, RB (Michigan): 13 carries, 84 yards
• Hassan Haskins, RB (Michigan): 18 carries, 61 yards

Mac Jones, 'Bama Offense Roll in Citrus Bowl

If there is one benefit for Alabama losing Tua Tagovailoa for the rest of the year on Nov. 16 against Mississippi State due to a dislocated hip, it gave the team and coaching staff an extended look at what Jones can do running the offense. 

A 21-year-old sophomore, Jones wasn't a highly-touted recruit when he arrived in Tuscaloosa two years ago. He was rated as a 3-star prospect by 247Sports' composite rankings in the 2017 class. 

Jones showed tremendous promise as the Crimson Tide starter. He threw for 610 yards and seven touchdowns combined against Western Carolina and Auburn. 

Alabama's offense got off to an electric start against Michigan thanks to the Jones-Jeudy connection:

Big plays were a common thread for both teams on this day. The Crimson Tide averaged 8.7 yards per play on offense. Jones' first two touchdown passes covered a total of 127 yards, including this 42-yard strike to DeVonta Smith on the fourth play of the second half:

In between the big plays in the passing game, Alabama was also taking advantage of Michigan's inability to stop Najee Harris. The junior running back briefly put Alabama back on top 14-13 late in the second quarter and showed off his leaping ability in the process:

Neither defense was doing much work early in this game, but Alabama was able to pull away from Michigan in the second half with big plays. The Tide only held the ball for 25 minutes in the game because they were either getting into the end zone quickly or were limited to three-and-out drives. 

Given the potential roster turnover for Alabama in 2020, getting Jones comfortable running things was crucial for Saban and offensive coordinator to wrap up this season. He certainly looks like a capable replacement if Tagovailoa decides to leave for the NFL. 

The Crimson Tide could also have to replace Jeudy, Smith and Harris among their offensive skill players. Those are potentially significant losses for the program, but the coaching staff is so good at replacing talent each year through recruiting and development that they figure to be a force in the SEC again next season. 

Michigan's Season Ends in Disappointment 

This game was a microcosm of Wolverines' season, which started with early promise that was hindered by an inconsistent offense and a defense that gave up too many big plays. 

Michigan's offense was having a lot of success moving the ball early against a leaky Alabama defense. After running eight plays on the first two drives combined, Harbaugh's crew tied the game at seven with an 85-yard march that showcased what they can do when everything works in harmony. 

Charbonnet accounted for 33 yards on three carries before turning things over to Patterson. The much-maligned senior quarterback got the Wolverines into the red zone on a 34-yard completion to Donovan Peoples-Jones and capped off the drive with a touchdown pass to Nick Eubanks. 

After the defense forced an Alabama punt, Michigan went back to work with another long drive. This one took 81 yards and 10 plays that resulted in a Quinn Nordin field goal to give the Wolverines a 10-7 lead heading into the second quarter. 

Patterson once again found an opening for a big play against the Crimson Tide defense, this time hitting Giles Jackson for 40 yards.

Two more field goals by Nordin in the second quarter gave Michigan a 16-14 halftime lead. That would be the end of the offense's contributions for the game, as Alabama tightened things up on defense. The Wolverines had 278 total yards through the first half, but 117 after halftime. 

Patterson was at the center of those second-half struggles, going 8-of-19 for 82 yards, two interceptions and getting sacked twice—including one that lost 13 yards and took Michigan out of field goal range after it got down to the Crimson Tide 30-yard line. 

Harbaugh and his coaching staff will get a fresh start on offense next season after Patterson played his final college game. The team has 2019 recruit Cade McNamara, a 4-star prospect in 247Sports' composite rankings, to potentially take over.