We are counting down the days until the enormous Michigan-Alabama Playoff showdown.
Everything about the matchup is perfect – From the coaches to the players, to the powerful brands, to the Rose Bowl setting … New Years Day can’t get here fast enough.
It shouldn’t come as too big of a surprise that Jim Harbaugh’s Wolverines enter the game as very slight favorites. After all, they’ve been the best team in the country this season.
However, the momentum Nick Saban’s Tide have built down the stretch is very, very real.
As a matter of fact, The Athletic recently sought the perspectives of several Big Ten coaches on the matchup, and believe it or not, most of the coaches favored Alabama to win the game.
Even though Michigan is the betting favorite against Alabama, almost all of the coaches we spoke to for this story (nearly a dozen) who’ve faced the Wolverines this year expect the Tide will win. Here’s why:https://t.co/BkVnDSrD8zhttps://t.co/BkVnDSrD8z
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) December 18, 2023
One coach expressed admiration for Michigan’s star running back Blake Corum but stated that he’s not quite “SEC-elite” when it comes to explosiveness.
“I think Corum is really good. He’s just so powerful. I don’t think he has the speed that some SEC guys have, but I do think he’s gotten better. He makes them go.”
Another coach emphasized just how important Corum is to Michigan’s offense and everything they try to do.
“(Michigan) plays to his strengths. (Corum) can’t take the 30-yard run and go 60. But he is a bull. He’s a one-cut guy. Not a home-run threat, but he is really, really good in the red zone and really good on check downs,” the coach said.
Blake Corum is TOUGH! pic.twitter.com/JAJ6uY0b7S
— Maize & Blue Review: Michigan Football, Basketball (@MichiganRivals) December 20, 2023
Are you surprised that most of the coaches polled by The Athletic think that Alabama is going to win?
Do you chalk that up to Harbaugh-hatred among the coaches?
Or do they really think the Tide have a chance to pull off the upset?
Do you???
Either way, I know I speak for all of us when I say I can’t wait for New Years Day!