It may have been controversial, but the College Football Committee throughout out the heavyweights for the final rendition of the four-team playoff. Nothing says college football and New Year’s Day more than the Grand Daddy of Them All at 5:00 pm EST. Not only do we get the iconic sunset at halftime, but we get a clash between two college football behemoths. The College Football Playoff Semifinal at Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential (the game’s official name) will kick things off at 5:00 pm EST between #1 Michigan and #4 Alabama. These are two of the elite brand names of college football, but somehow, they have only played five times previously. The Crimson Tide hold a 3-2 series lead. Before we break down the action on the field, let’s get you caught up on the excitement surrounding the two programs this season off the field.
Michigan vs. Everybody
Jim Harbaugh has achieved an impressive turnaround with the Wolverines, rescuing them from the brink of collapse in 2020. Following a challenging 2-4 season and the cancellation of The Game against Ohio State due to a COVID-19 outbreak, Harbaugh took a bold approach, betting on himself by taking a pay cut. He revamped his coaching staff, bringing in a younger and more determined group. The moves not only reset but also rejuvenated the program. The results speak for themself. A 38-3 record. A perfect 3-0 record against Ohio State. Three Big Ten Championships and their third consecutive spot in a College Football Playoff appearance. The narrative in 2023 was expected to highlight the program’s remarkable ascent, with an older team well-prepared to compete for a national championship. However, instead of celebrating their success, the season has been overshadowed by controversies.
Burgers and Spies
In January, the Wolverines received a notice of allegations from the NCAA. Michigan fans felt the program was under a witch hunt over buying a recruit a “cheeseburger,” but it turned out to be more than that. The NCAA stated that Harbaugh committed recruiting violations and misled NCAA investigators. After disagreeing on a set suspension, Harbaugh decided to accept a university-imposed three-game suspension to start the season. Harbaugh sat out the first three games and had his assistant coaches and father stand in as acting head coach. Team members wore “Free Harbaugh” shirts and held up four fingers in the air for their suspended coach.
Harbaugh finished the final three games of the regular season, where he started, was suspended, and prevented from coaching his team. Connor Stallions, an analyst on the football team, was accused of putting together an elaborate sign-stealing scheme to assist the Wolverines in game planning and in-game adjustments. The rumors focused more negatively on Harbaugh and Michigan and further clouded a successful onfield run.
All of the outside noise and pressure could have broken the Wolverines. Instead, Michigan responded by going 6-0 in Harbaugh’s absences, including knocking off #10 Penn State and #7 Ohio State. Harbaugh got the last laugh in the Big Ten Championship game. Commissioner Tony Petitti got to hand Harbaugh the championship trophy after dispatching Iowa 26-0 in the Big Ten Championship, to the delight of many Michigan fans. The Wolverines now face their biggest season test as they face Alabama in Pasadena.
Alabama Early Struggles
Alabama is no stranger to the College Football Playoff. The Crimson Tide has made eight appearances in the College Football Playoffs, more than any program in the country. Alabama has a 9–4 record in the playoffs, with six national championship appearances and three national championships. The 2023 Crimson Tide is not Nick Saban’s most talented, but he and his staff have done a masterful job of adapting and shaping the team into a position to win another national championship.
Saban changed both coordinators after missing the playoffs last season. He brought back a familiar face in Kevin Steele for a third stint on the Alabama staff to run the defense, and Tommy Rees came in from Notre Dame to run the offense. Questions on who would be the Tide’s starting quarterback permeated message boards and call-in shows all offseason and grew in intensity when Texas came in and defeated Alabama at Bryant Denny Stadium by double digits. Things went from bad to worse when starting quarterback Jalen Milroe sat on the sidelines and saw the Tide escape South Florida 17-3 in a driving rainstorm. While many saw this as the beginning of the end of the Alabama dynasty, Saban and his staff went to work, trusting the process and improving each week.
Alabama Bid Thief
The season came to a crescendo at the end when Saban exorcised his “Kick Six” demons and found his own magic at Jordan Hare stadium to stun Auburn in a last-second comeback and keep the Tide’s playoff hopes alive. Alabama then entered the SEC Championship against the “Kings” of the SEC Georgia Bulldogs, riding high on a 29-game winning streak. If you are going to swing at the king, you best not miss, and the Tide did not. Alabama weathered a four-quarter storm to knock off Georgia and put them back in the center of the College Football Playoff discussion.
The comeback was complete when the committee announced that Alabama would get the #4 seed in the playoff ahead of the undefeated and ACC Champion Florida State Seminoles. The decision sent pandemonium across college football and put the Tide and Saban right where they wanted to be, as an underdog with another shot at the championship.
Rose Bowl Preview: #1 Michigan vs. #4 Alabama
Rose Bowl Details
Location: Rose Bowl | Pasadena, California.
Date: Monday, January 1
Time: 5:05 pm.
Television: ESPN
Line: Michigan -1.5
Over/Under: 44.5
The 2024 @CFBPlayoff Semifinal at the #RoseBowl Game:
#1 @UMichFootball vs. #4 @AlabamaFTBL pic.twitter.com/198Y04YcHH
— Rose Bowl Game (@rosebowlgame) December 3, 2023
Breaking Down Alabama
Alabama has had one of the most prolific offenses during the College Football Playoff era. They could hurt you on the ground or through the air. The 2023 version of the Alabama offense has not been as explosive and ranks 53rd in total offense. Lacking a dynamic running back or game-changer at wide receiver, the success of the Alabama offense rests on Milroe’s shoulder and legs. Rees adapted the offense to get Milroe moving and allow him to use his legs to get first downs or bide time to let his receivers get open. Milore has improved dramatically in limiting his turnovers. Limiting turnovers and extending plays will be critical against Michigan to keep their offense off the field.
Alabama’s defense has shown to be better than the offense this year, but still not in the elite category in the country. The key to success for the Alabama defense will be stopping Michigan’s running game. Michigan is not shy about running the ball when they feel they have an advantage (ask Penn State). Alabama did a great job of limiting Georgia’s effectiveness in the SEC Championship game, limiting Georgia to just 78 yards. The Crimson Tide will need to put in a similar effort if they are going to win a fourth national championship in the College Football Playoff era.
Breaking Down Michigan
The Wolverines are a throwback physical Big Ten team. They want to run the ball, dominate the clock, and impose their will on opposing teams. Running Back Blake Corum and Quarterback J.J. McCarthy lead the offense. Corum is a workhorse for the Wolverines and set a team record for touchdowns in a season with 21. The key to success against the Tide will be McCarthy’s success running and throwing the ball. Michigan’s effective running game means that McCarthy rarely has to throw more than 20 times a game or throw Michigan to a victory. McCarthy may be asked to step up and do just that if the Wolverines are going to beat Alabama.
Michigan’s offense is a perfect complement to its defense. The Wolverine defense smothers opponents and has held opposing offenses to one series (four plays or fewer) on almost half of their possessions (46.7%). If there is an opportunity for Milroe and the Tide to capitalize on the Wolverinze, it is on big plays. Six of the 14 touchdowns Michigan has let up this year have been on explosive plays of 20+ yards. Limiting big plays and getting Alabama off the field will be the recipe for success for Michigan’s defense.
Rose Bowl Prediction
Saban and the Tide again find their magic, and Harbaugh and Michigan drop a third straight College Football Playoff game.
Alabama 31 Michigan 17
