60 minutes was not enough time to settle the battle between #1 Michigan and #4 Alabama in the Rose Bowl. The Michigan defense showed up when the Wolverines needed them most. The defense made the last stand, stopping Alabama’s Jalen Milroe for no gain on 4th and goal to seal the 27-20 win. The win sends Michigan to Houston, where they will await the Sugar Bowl winner and play for its first National Championship since 1997. An aggressive defense led the Wolverines in the win. Michigan sacked Milroe five times and held Alabama to just 4.4 yards a play. Blake Corum was the star of the game for the Wolverines. Corum finished the game with two touchdowns including the game winner in overtime. The Wolverines got off to a strong first-half start but needed some late second-half heroics to force overtime.
#1 Michigan Finishes the Job against #4 Alabama in the Rose Bowl
Alabama’s 2nd Half Patience
Saban and Alabama showed patience throughout the third quarter. After a quick start on their first possession of the second half, the drive came to a screeching halt with back-to-back botched snaps. After trading punts and three-and-outs, the Tide’s patience paid off. The Tide capitalized on a poor Michigan Punt to get started on their 45-yard line. Alabama’s patience and adjustments paid off. They marched down the field in eight plays to take their first lead early in the 4th quarter. Milore rushed four times on the drive for 37 yards to keep the drive alive.
Michigan Fails to Seize Momentum
Michigan had a chance to seize momentum early in the fourth quarter. After going three out after the Alabama touchdown, all the momentum seemed to be going in the Tide’s favor. That momentum came to a halt when Milroe fumbled near midfield. The Wolverines recovered and looked ready to capitalize on Alabama’s first turnover. The Wolverine’s momentum was neutralized after a 20-yard pass on the drive’s first play. A botched flea-flicker set the Wolverines back to a 3rd and 17, and then James Turner missed a 49-yard field to keep the Tide’s lead at four.
Michigan Gambles and Finds Life Late
After an Alabama field goal put the Tide up 7, Michigan needed to drive 75 yards to tie the game. Harbaugh and Michigan showed the aggression they had showcased all season by going for a 4th and two at their own 33 early on the drive. Michigan running back Blake Corum leaked out of the backfield to move the sticks for a big 27-yard gain. Two plays later, McCarthy hit Roman Wilson for a 29-yard gain that put the Wolverines inside the Tide’s ten-yard line. McCarthy and Wilson would hook up again two plays later for a four-yard touchdown. Giving the Tide the ball back with the game tied and 1:34 to go.
Alabama would move the ball 18 yards on the drive, but the excitement came on a punt. Unable to get a first down, Alabama punted to Michigan with 54 remaining in the fourth quarter. Michigan returner Jake Thaw muffed the punt and picked it up at the one-yard line, where a handful of Alabama gunners tackled him. Michigan was able to avoid the safety and force overtime against Alabama.
Rose Bowl First Half Recap
Michigan Avoids Deja Vu Early
Avoiding mistakes. That would be key for the Wolverines if they were successful on Saturday night. Michigan had problems starting slow two years ago against Georgia in the College Football Playoff game. Last year, self-inflicted wounds enabled TCU to upset them. In the first quarter, self-inflicted wounds reared their head early for the Wolverines.
On the game’s first play, JJ McCarthy rolled right and looked to be throwing the ball away when it landed into the arms of Alabama defensive back Caleb Downs. The Wolverines were able to overt disaster when replayed showed Downs did not establish himself back in bounds before the interception. After a punt, the Michigan defense got to a fast start Michigan, sacking Milroe twice and forcing an Alabama punt. A muffed punt gave Alabama the ball back in Michigan territory. Alabama would cap off the drive with a 27-yard touchdown run by Jase McClellan.
Michigan was impressive in its response. They returned to a ground-focused attack and marched 75 yards down the field in 10 plays. Blake Corum brought a sense of balance and energy to the team. Corum is an integral piece of the Wolverine’s offense. He led the team in rushing and set a new record with 24 touchdowns during the regular season. Corum started the drive with a big 21-yard run to put Michigan in Alabama territory. He then had a key run to convert a 4th and one and put the finishing touch on the drive with an eight-yard touchdown to tie the game at seven.
Michigan’s Attacking Approach
The Wolverines came into the game with a Top 5 defense. Michigan’s defense smothered all season, holding opposing offenses to one series (four plays or fewer) on almost half of their possessions (46.7%). The defense continued its attacking ways in the first half. The Wolverines continued the trend, forcing three 3-and-outs in Alabama’s five first-half possessions. The Wolverines did a great job in the first half, bringing five and six players after Milroe and sacking him five times.
The Michigan offense showed a few tricks up their sleeve midway through the second quarter. McCarthy caught a lateral from Donovan Edwards one-handed, rolled to his left, and found a wide-open Roman Wilson for 20 yards and a first down before getting rocked by an Alabama defender. Three plays later, McCarthy connected with Tyler Morris for a 38-yard touchdown. Morris did an excellent job of tight-roping the sideline on the score, his touchdown this season. The excitement sparked the Alabama offense at the end of the half, who moved into field goal range to make it a 13-10 game going into halftime.
What’s Next
Michigan will play the winner of the Sugar Bowl on Monday, January 8th. For the Wolverines, it will be their first chance at winning a National Championship since splitting the title back in 1997 with Nebraska. Texas and Michigan have only met once in the two program’s historic history. Texas defeated Michigan in the 2005 Rose Bowl 38-37. Michigan is 8-5 all-time against the Huskies. The two teams have met four times in the Rose Bowl and have split those matchups.
Alabama ends its season 12-2. Will it be the end of Saban’s tenure in Tuscaloosa? CBS Sports Dennis Dodd wrote an article on Sunday speculating this could be Saban’s final season. It’s hard to see Saban going out without a championship. If he does go, look for Ole Miss’ Lane Kiffin to get a long look.
