re: So what's the consensus on Michigan?

Here's my rundown on them:

Have lost 6 straight bowl games.

Have given up at least 34 in 4 straight bowl games (all losses).

Have not beaten a top 10 team in a bowl since the 1997 season.

JJ McCarthy has thrown 1 TD in his last 5 games.

Michigan has played 13 teams. Their combined record is 77-74.

The average ranking for their opponent's offense as measured in yards per play is 93rd.

The average ranking for their opponent's scoring per game is 86th.

The best offense they have played was either Penn State or Ohio State. Penn State is 81st in yards per play and Ohio State is 18th. After that you have UNLV as the best offense they've faced.

7 of Michigan's 13 opponents are ranked 105th or worse in points per game and yards per play. Alabama has one opponent that's outside the top 100 in points per game (Miss State) or yards per play (Auburn).

The median offense they have played would be Nebraska. Half the teams they've played have better offenses, and half are worse, but that's the median. Nebraska! Alabama's median offense would be Tennessee.

So yes, Michigan has the #1 scoring defense. Alabama is 17th. Alabama has played several good offenses, Michigan has played zero.

So it looks to me like Michigan is in for a rude awakening.