Michigan brings a physical offensive approach to the Rose Bowl, but it faces an opponent who’s known for physicality.
Alabama has played its best football since the Ole Miss matchup. Nick Saban witnessed his offensive line, defensive line, wide receivers, and starting quarterback all come together. This team for the Crimson Tide was thought to be dead in the water following a week two loss to Texas; however, it became an SEC Champion and is in the College Football Playoff.
RELATED: Alabama DL Justin Eboigbe accepts invitation to Reese’s Senior Bowl
Jim Harbaugh, the Wolverines’ head coach, battles Saban for a second time. He suffered a 16-35 loss to the Crimson Tide in the 2019 Citrus Bowl, but he is looking for a different outcome. Michigan has an offense that averages 36.7 points per game as champions of the Big Ten and No. 1 overall seed in the CFP. Blake Corum, a senior running back, the engine that pushes the Wolverines to be at its best. J.J. McCarthy is a good quarterback, but the team goes as Corum goes out of the backfield.
Alabama opened some Las Vegas betting sites as a 1.5 to 2-point underdog to Michigan.
Taylor Lewan, a University of Michigan alumnus, has the Wolverines beating the Crimson Tide by double digits.
Roman Harper, a former Tide safety, does not know how Michigan will score enough points to beat Alabama. The SEC Network analyst said on Thursday’s episode of The Next Round Show that the Tide is “not scared” of the Wolverines’ offense.
Michigan’s offense does not scare the Tide. @Harp41 @AlabamaFTBL @UMichFootball pic.twitter.com/nXvguYq5eP
— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) December 14, 2023
“It leans to Alabama’s advantage,” Harper said about the possibility of Michigan playing several offensive linemen.
“If you think Michigan has enough big guys upfront to beat Alabama, I would love to see it. Alabama has been big and physical for 15 to 17 years now. Michigan is on year five, so you are not going to get bigger than Alabama. You are not going to get big, and then suddenly Alabama gets smaller.”
RELATED: Michigan alum says Wolverines should handle Alabama by double digits
Harper said team have beaten Alabama in the past by using quarterback runs.
McCarthy has three rushing touchdowns, but he averages barley three yards per rushing attempt for Michigan. If the Tide takes away Corum, Harper does not see how Harbaugh and the Wolverines will score enough points to match Alabama.
Harbaugh has to manipulate his game plan to give Michigan some kind of advantage because the Wolverines will have a difficult time facing the Tide strength on strength. We will see what happens in the Rose Bowl, but Harper does not see Michigan staying with the Tide on offense.
*Get the BEST Alabama football insider information, message board access, and recruiting coverage today! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our subscriber-only content!*
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.
