Orange Bowl 2016 final score and highlights: FSU beats Michigan in wild classic

Florida State 33, Michigan 32 (FINAL). The Wolverines had one last chance, and it came down to a possible offside on fourth-and-10 that wasn’t called (I didn’t really think it needed to be), but it ended on a tipped pick. FSU outgained Michigan, 371 to 252, with Dalvin Cook (207 total yards) and the Noles’ defensive front starring. Game highlights:

And some more stuff:

Florida State 33, Michigan 32 (:36, 4Q). FSU used a big kick return and a MOSSING by Nyqwan Murray to take the lead late, but then Michigan blocked the XP and ran it back for two points, setting up a chance to win with a field goal.

Michigan 30, Florida State 27 (1:57, 4Q). Michigan’s first lead of the game, with a 30-yard burst by Chris Evans and a two-point conversion toss from Wilton Speight to Amara Darboh. Speight and Evans starred on the rest of the drive as well. Swore this game was just about over, right?

Florida State 27, Michigan 21 (5:22, 4Q). Michigan finally put together an actual drive drive, starting with a shorter field thanks to a penalty. Khalid “Hammering Panda” Hill ran in the TD, and we’ve got an actual finish coming.

Florida State 27, Michigan 15 (11:38, 4Q). FSU looked to be in major trouble, facing third-and-22 in a one-score game. Then Dalvin Cook, who’s up to 185 total yards, struck for 71. Deondre Francois later punched in the TD run.

Florida State 20, Michigan 15 (:54, 3Q). Pick six from Deondre Francois to Mike McCray. The Noles were backed up into their own territory, and McCray made the snag and lunge. The Wolverines went for two. No good.

Florida State 20, Michigan 9 (7:34, 3Q). The Wolverines’ second promising drive of the game stalled out after Josh Sweat hammered QB Wilton Speight on third down. One encouraging thing: a couple nice catches by tight end Ian Bunting, who’s taking over for Jake Butt.

Florida State 20, Michigan 6 (halftime). Let’s see ... what went Michigan’s way in the first half? Very good punting, some of which set up three of those points. Good pressure on FSU QB Deondre Francois. I think that’s it. Jabrill Peppers and Jake Butt, Michigan’s two most decorated players, are still out, Peppers for the whole game.

One-minute highlights:

Even the handshake between former Michigan QB Brian Griese and his dad, former Purdue QB Bob Griese, went poorly for the Big Ten.

Florida State 20, Michigan 6 (4:49, 2Q). A 13-play drive highlighted by a 16-yard Deondre Francois on third-and-long ends with a field goal. FSU’s outgaining Michigan, 253-66.

Florida State 17, Michigan 6 (9:37, 2Q). Michigan finally had an actual scoring drive, this time going 59 yards to hit another field goal. It wasn’t all good, though, as Mackey Award-winning tight end Jake Butt appeared to suffer a leg injury.

Florida State 17, Michigan 3 (2:49, 1Q). Another nice punt by Michigan put the Noles at their 8-yard line ... which meant this was a 92-yard catch-and-run heave from Deondre Francois to Nyqwan Murray. Guess Francois is ok!

Florida State 10, Michigan 3 (7:31, 1Q). A big hit by Taco Charlton has FSU QB Deondre Francois out for at least one snap, but the Noles ring up a few more points. Dalvin Cook is already up to 90 total yards, hauling in a 45-yard pass on this drive.

Florida State 7, Michigan 3 (9:11, 1Q). The Wolverines picked up an easy three in the B1Ggest way possible: via a punt that was too glorious for FSU to handle, setting up a field goal.

Florida State 7, Michigan 0 (12:47, 1Q). Michigan just gave up one of its breeziest scoring drives of the entire year, with Dalvin Cook jaunting down the field and punching in a short TD from a jumbo set. Peppers’ absence might’ve mattered already?

The big note came from pregame: Michigan Heisman Trophy finalist and All-America utility player Jabrill Peppers is out due to a hamstring injury. Here he is favoring it pregame:

And then FSU’s horse fell over.

No. 6 Michigan (10-2) and No. 11 Florida State (9-3) entered the Orange Bowl with a few things in common. Both ranked among 2016’s most talented teams, but fell short of division titles by a close game or two apiece, with controversial calls coming into play for both.

A New Year’s Six bowl (even though it’s on Dec. 30) in Miami is a fine consolation, though, and the winner can describe its season as a sure success. This game pairs two of the biggest names in coaching, Jim Harbaugh and Jimbo Fisher, plus plenty of elite players.

Michigan entered as a touchdown favorite, with a Vegas over/under of about 50.5, meaning the betting market predicted a final score in the range of Michigan 29, Florida State 22. The advanced stats predicted a rough day for both first-year starting QBs, Michigan’s Wilton Speight and FSU’s Deondre Francois, with the pass rushes holding the game’s two biggest projected advantages.