The Alabama Crimson Tide proved they were worthy for the College Football Playoffs, but not worthy enough to take down the #1 Michigan Wolverines in the 2024 Rose Bowl. A flawed and easily outprepared Crimson Tide had multiple chances to take down the Wolverines, but their luck ran out as the journey to the 18th national championship ended with the start of the new year. There is much to process as the Tide prematurely prepares for the offseason. There are many areas to address for the 2024 season as there is hope. In the meanwhile, there is much to grade, with some aspects being good and definitely some negatives from the game.
Grading Alabama From the Loss to Michigan in the Rose Bowl
Jalen Milroe: B-
This matchup was going to be a difficult performance for quarterback Jalen Milroe as the Wolverines possessed the top-ranked scoring defense and the second-ranked total defense. Milroe needed to run the offense and make the big plays needed on the ground and through the air to stop the Wolverines’ defense. The problem was that Milroe was constantly under pressure from a Wolverine pass rush that isn’t exactly elite. The Wolverines took away Milroe’s deep passing ability and held him to short-to-mid-range plays. He finished the game completing 16-of-23 for 116 yards while rushing for 63 yards on 21 carries (including the six sacks). Milroe had more positives than negatives despite the late fumble being a significant turning point.
Offensive Line: D-
The offensive line for the Crimson Tide had been a problem for most of the season. From the left tackle Kadyn Proctor to the center Seth McLaughlin, the line’s problems from earlier in the season reemerged by the Wolverine defense. Alabama’s first play from scrimmage resulted in a sack allowed by Proctor. There was more pressure from the left side of the line from the Wolverines’ defense, who only accounted for 33 sacks in 13 games. To make matters worse for the Tide, McLaughlin continued to struggle with numerous low snaps. Several of these low snaps altered the timing of the play and stalled key drives where the Tide had momentum. Michigan’s defense accumulated six sacks and ten tackles for loss as they dominated the line of scrimmage.
Linebackers and safeties: C-
Alabama’s defense played well for the majority of the second half of the game. Alabama allowed 351 total yards from Michigan’s offense. While they did well to suppress the running potential of running back Blake Corum and took away the inside run, the Tide’s defense was outmatched and outmaneuvered in trick plays, misdirections, cross-plays, and cuts in routes for deep passes. Alabama left Corum and wide receiver Roman Wilson wide-open because a linebacker or safety for the Tide either failed to pick them up or insisted that the next defender take them in the middle of the play. This was a time when the linebackers and safeties presented low football IQ to stop the big plays for Michigan. This is a failure of actions from the players and poor preparation from the coaching staff.
Offensive Coordinator Tommy Rees and Defensive Coordinator Kevin Steele: D
Speaking of the coaching staff, this game was not the best performance from head coach Nick Saban. The biggest blame from the coaching staff should be pointed at the coordinators on both sides of the ball. Offensive coordinator Tommy Rees failed to get the deep passing game going, which was something to be expected. The biggest problem was the inconsistency in the playcalling. When Alabama had the lead in the middle of the fourth quarter and were driving the ball, Rees opted for RPO runs from Milroe instead of simple runs to running back Jase McClellan or Justice Haynes. The Tide tried to go too aggressive against a Wolverines’ defense that had been dominating the line of scrimmage.
Defensive coordinator Kevin Steele didn’t have his defense prepared for Michigan’s misdirection offense. As a result, the Tide’s defense got lost on key plays. While they did well through the majority of the game, this was not a consistent trend going into the final phase of the game. Alabama’s defense became tired as they allowed key runs, including a critical 4th & 2 late in the game. The pass rush couldn’t get consistent pressure on J.J. McCarthy outside of one sack.
