Alabama Preview 2024
The #1 ranked Michigan Wolverines, 13-0, travel to Pasadena, California to battle the #5 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide, 12-1, in the Rose Bowl in the College Football Playoff Semi-Final; it is the 6th meeting between the two schools with Alabama holding a 3-2 advantage. Michigan is a 1.5 point betting favorite and the over/under is 44.5 points. Jim Harbaugh is 0-1 against the Crimson Tide, and 87-25 over nine seasons with the Wolverines with 6 Bowl losses in a row. Nick Saban is 5-7 against the Wolverines including a 2-3 record while coaching at Michigan State; he has accumulated a 206-28 record at Alabama with an impressive 88% win percentage, and has won 8 Bowl Games in a row with 6 National Championships in 17 seasons with the Crimson Tide. Saban has won 7 National Championships over 28 seasons as a NCAA Head Coach at four schools; that is the most of any coach in NCAA History. Saban, 72, has been coaching football since 1973 when he was a defensive back and graduate assistant for Dennis Fitzgerald, former Michigan halfback, at Kent State, and has coached college and professional football 50 seasons. There has never been a better coach in college football than Nick Saban; he is a master of game planning, and adjustments during the game, and he is also a phenomenal recruiter lassoing top talent to build his championship caliber teams.
Alabama is led on offense by Redshirt Sophomore Quarterback Jalen Milroe; he has completed 65% of his passes for 23 TDs, and has run for 12 TDs. Redshirt Sophomore Tyler Buchner and Redshirt Freshman Ty Simpson back up Milroe. Senior Jase McClellan is the Crimson Tide's leading rusher; he has scored 6 TDs, but has been nursing a foot injury; Senior Roydell Williams has 5 TDs. Freshmen Justice Hayes and Richard Young are two other running backs who may see action in the Rose Bowl. Saban plans to establish a running attack against the Wolverines which is something that few teams have been able to accomplish in 2023. The Crimson Tide offensive line is led by Massive Junior Right Tackle J.C. Latham; they have Sophomore Tyler Booker at Right Guard, Senior Seth McLaughlin at Center, 5th Year Senior Darrian Dalcourt at Left Guard, and Redshirt Freshman Elijah Pritchett at Left Tackle. Freshman Miles McVay, Redshirt Sophomore Jaeden Roberts, Redshirt Sophomore James Brockmeyer, Redshirt Sophomore Terrence Ferguson and Freshman Kadyn Proctor are all capable backups. It will be Michigan's Defense toughest challenge of the season to stop the Alabama running game. When Alabama needs a big play, they look for Senior Jermaine Burton; he has 8 TDs. Sophomores Isaiah Bond and Tight End Amari Niblack have 4 TDs each. Sophomore Kobe Prentice, Sophomore Kendrick Law, Freshman Jalen Hale, Junior Malik Benson, Sophomore Emmanuel Henderson, and Freshman Cole Adams are all talented and dangerous receivers that will rotate during the game. Juniors C.J. Dippre and Robbie Ouzts are excellent blocking tight ends.
On Defense, Alabama utilizes a 3-4 scheme with solid personnel, and is led by All-American Junior SAM Linebacker Dallas Turner; he has 50 tackles including 14.5 for loss and 10 sacks with 13 quarterback hits and 2 forced fumbles. Turner will be constantly harassing J.J. McCarthy in this game. Senior Quandarrius Robinson backs up Turner. The Crimson Tide uses Redshirt Junior Trezman Marshall at WILL Linebacker, Redshirt Sophomore Deonte Lawson at MIKE Linebacker, and Senior Chris Braswell at JACK; Braswell has 10.5 tackles for loss with 8 sacks. Sophomore Jihaad Campbell will also see action at MIKE, and Junior Kendrick Blackshire at WILL. This linebacking group is very active, quick and play at a high level; they will be difficult for Michigan to block. The Crimson Tide Defensive Line is anchored by Redshirt Senior Defensive End Justin Eboigbe; he has 59 tackles including 11.5 for loss and 7 sacks with 4 quarterback hits. Sophomore Jaheim Oatis and Senior Tim Smith man the two tackle positions with Redshirt Sophomores Tim Keenan, Damon Payne, and Redshirt Junior Jah-Marien Latham rotating in as needed. The Crimson Tide Defensive Backfield is their strongest unit; they are led by Junior All-American Cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry. Freshman Safety Caleb Downs is their leading tackler with 99 stops including 64 solos. 5th Year Senior Jalen Key is the other safety; Senior Trey Amos is the other cornerback, and Senior Malachi Moore is their STAR Nickel. Redshirt Sophomore Terrion Arnold leads the Tide with 11 pass break ups and 5 interceptions along with 61 tackles.
On Special Teams, 5th Year Senior Will Reichard has hit 20 of 23 field goals, and has 82 kickoffs with 47 touchbacks. James Burnip has 50 punts with 17 downed inside the 20, and 19 punts over 50 yards. Caleb Downs and Kool-Aid McKinstry are dangerous punt returners as is Kendrick Law on kickoff returns.
Michigan will need to play their best football of the season to win this one. Alabama is a powerful, physical team, and will come right at the Wolverines early. When Alabama lost to Texas, the Longhorns held the Tide to 107 yards on the ground and forced two interceptions in their 34-24 win. Texas A&M held Alabama to only 23 yards in net rushing in a 26-20 loss after leading at halftime, 17-10; in that game the Aggies sacked Milroe 5 times. Alabama rallied passed Mississippi, 24-10 after trailing at halftime, 7-6. Alabama rallied in the second half after trailing Tennessee, 7-20 at halftime, and beat the Volunteers, 34-20.Alabama and LSU were tied at halftime before the Tide gained a 42-28 victory. Alabama converted a 4th and 31 with 43 seconds to go with a 31 yard TD strike to Isaiah Bond to edge the Tigers, 27-24. Georgia held Alabama to 114 yards in a 27-24 loss. Alabama has had several close games, and prevailed to win their conference and make the playoffs. To win this game, Michigan must limit Alabama's running game including containing Jalen Milroe. The Wolverines also must play mistake-free football, and force the Tide into turnovers. On offense, Michigan must find a way to penetrate a tough Crimson Tide defense with a mix of passing and running plays to create scoring opportunities, and convert those chances. On Special Teams, the Wolverines must have a strong effort, and stellar execution. Alabama has defeated 4 teams ranked in the Top 25; Michigan has triumphed over 3 teams ranked: Ohio State, Penn State and Iowa. Go Blue!
Michigan 23 Alabama 21
