Alabama football is pursuing its 19th national championship in school history, but it knows a matchup against Michigan in the Rose Bowl comes first.
Crimson Tide players have approached the game with giving the Wolverines, the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff, its due respect. Michigan has a challenge on its hands with Jalen Milroe, but a Tide cornerback feels Alabama’s defense does not have a cakewalk with J.J. McCarthy of Michigan.
Terrion Arnold, a redshirt sophomore, spoke on The Next Round Show. He gave McCarthy a glowing comparison to a former SEC great and a Heisman Trophy winner.
”He’s Joe Burrow,” Arnold said on The Next Round in comparing McCarthy. “When you are playing against somebody, you have to give them the credit they deserve. J.J. is a very good athlete. When you watch him on film, it surprises you how much he does run. He scrambles and has his eyes downfield.”
Arnold will not compare McCarthy to Milroe, but he does see Michigan’s quarterback having athleticism that Alabama’s defense and its fans need to watch.
McCarthy has 19 touchdown passes to four interceptions. He also has three rushing scores.
We will see how the Tide’s defense attacks him on New Year’s Day.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
