Moose is loose: Bad beat that stands by itself
By @cruz0210
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Tuesday, January 3
Michigan vs Virginia Tech (Sugar Bowl)
1st half line VT+1.5
Halftime score 10-6 Michigan
After almost a full half of football, VT was completely dominating the Sugar bowl but only had 6 pts to show for it thanks to key redzone stops by Michigan and questionable Hokie play calling on 4th down (not quite Mike Smith caliber, but you get the idea). With about 1 minute left in the half, Michigan relied on their most effective play in the playbook: Robinson tossed up a hail mary jump ball to Junior Hemingway that resulted in a 45 yard TD pass on 3rd and long giving Michigan a 7-6 lead with 48 seconds left.
If you had a VT +1.5 first half ticket your bet was still very safe since all VT had to do was take a knee and go to the half with a 7-6 deficit. As every gambler knows, even the best laid plans don’t always come to fruition. Tech’s Tony Gregory fumbled the kickoff, giving Michigan the ball on the VT 26. After Michigan failed to do anything with the turnover, the Wolverines lined up for a FG that would give them the 1st half cover but Michigan didn’t kick it, they faked!
On one of the craziest plays I witnessed this bowl season (and there were plenty), Michigans Drew Dileo’s pass was tipped and caught by Offensive lineman Jareth Glanda , for an 11 yard gain and the most improbable of all first downs. Two plays later Michigan lined up for a much shorter FG attempt where Brendan Gibbons split the uprights to give the Maize and Blue a 10-6 halftime lead. Quite impressive to get the first half cover despite mustering all of 5 first downs, a number only Jordan Jefferson would be jealous of compiling.
