Other than the eventual national championship game, the sexiest matchup of the entire bowl season is Monday’s Rose Bowl Playoff clash between Michigan and Alabama.
The matchup has absolutely everything you could possibly want – Two of the biggest brands in all of college football, led by two of the greatest coaches in history, with the winner earning the right to play for immortality.
I think I speak for us all when I say I can’t wait for Monday…
Alabama and Michigan getting a Rose as they arrived here in Los Angeles
5 days away from the Rose Bowl pic.twitter.com/y4XRmoSu3l
— Ryan C. Fowler (@RyanCFowler) December 27, 2023
Everyone has an opinion on who will win the showdown … FOX Sports lead analyst Joel Klatt recently shared his – and its one that may surprise you…
“I’m leaning Alabama in this game,” Klatt said. “The ability of (Jalen) Milroe to extend plays is something that Michigan’s defense has not seen…and Michigan has to run the football. They just have to, it’s the way their offense is built. They ran the ball for under two yards per carry against Iowa. That’s concerning.”
Milroe’s knack for extending plays poses a unique challenge for a Michigan defense that has yet to face a quarterback of his unique skillset this season.
Michigan enters the Rose Bowl with the second-ranked defense in the country, allowing a mere 239.7 yards per game.
On the other side, Milroe and the Tide offense recovered sharply from a slow, disjointed start to the season and ended up averaging an impressive 35 points per game.
Alabama's preparations for the Rose Bowl are in full effect. 🐘🌹🏈 #RollTide
Check out Nick Saban & the Crimson Tide prepare for their CFP Semifinal matchup with Michigan. pic.twitter.com/O5k6TnlyXA
— Alabama Crimson Tide | AL.com (@aldotcomTide) December 28, 2023
Speaking of Milroe, Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh may have provided some unintended bulletin board material for the Tide when he compared Jalen to his own backup quarterback, sophomore Alex Orji.
Jim Harbaugh calls Jalen Milroe a “polished Alex Orji.” Said that’s a “scary thought” given that Orji is Michigan’s “scariest, most athletic player.” pic.twitter.com/S2AS8aDK78
— Zach Shaw (@_ZachShaw) December 27, 2023
Of course, Harbaugh was just trying to pay Milroe a compliment – But as a competitor you try to spin anything and everything in a way that gives yourself an edge … Make no mistake about it, Nick Saban will make sure this comment provides a nice, sharp chip on Milroe and the entire teams’ shoulder.
"When we get on the field, they're gonna have to play us anyway. So all that sign stealing is not gonna help them." – Alabama WR Isaiah Bond says that players have had to change how they watch film due to the sign stealing allegations against Michigan #RollTide #GoBlue… pic.twitter.com/bNJeXGqur5
— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) December 28, 2023
Regardless, the game will be won on the field – and the heavy consensus is that Michigan is the better team … Alabama may be the “hotter” team – but even the most die-hard Tide fan must admit that the Wolverines are the more complete team from top-to-bottom.
Klatt has often been call a shill for the Big Ten conference, which is why his Alabama prediction caught many people off-guard …. But Klatt is just calling it like he sees it.
What about you?
Who do you think will win the game – Michigan or Alabama???
#TBT | 2000 Michigan vs Alabama
Tom Brady and David Terrell had career nights on our way to the 35-34 victory to win the Orange Bowl!#GoBlue pic.twitter.com/SRFmVvxQ5F
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) December 28, 2023