It was the Alabama defense’s turn on Friday. During pregame media week at the Rose Bowl, Crimson Tide players and returning coordinator Kevin Steele discussed the challenges No. 1 Michigan will pose when it has the ball.

The Wolverines have produced at least three touchdowns in each of its 13 games, riding quarterback J.J. McCarthy and running back Blake Corum to a Big 10 championship. Its coordinator Sherrone Moore was part of the contingent filling in for head coach Jim Harbaugh, who was suspended for six games.

Here’s what Alabama’s players and Steele said about the Wolverines:

Defensive coordinator Kevin Steele on prepping for U-M’s trick plays: “Coach (Nick) Saban is the best that’s ever been that I’ve been around at being able to take what you do best and take it away with just one pitch. We’re going to throw a fastball at this. He’s got a curveball for it, a knuckleball for it, a slider for it, a curveball for it, and so he’s taking away because he’s changing leverages. He’s got a gift for that.”

Outside linebacker Dallas Turner on McCarthy’s ability to scramble: “You have to contain the quarterback. Whenever he drops back in passing, everybody knows that. J.J. can run very fast. … Very elusive, very mobile. He is a leader, field general.”

On Michigan’s offensive line, which will have four Week 1 starters available: “They shuffle a lot of guys around. I will say that. Just seeing how versatile a lot of their O-linemen are, it’s something that you have to pay attention to because you never know. We don’t even know who is going to start this week. You just have to be prepared for everybody.”

On Michigan tight end Colston Loveland: “He is a very good receiver. He can block, too. He is a very well-put-together tight end. You know it’s going to also be a challenge stopping him.”

Defensive back Malachi Moore on Michigan’s running game: “I would just say how patient their backs are. That’s a big thing, like, with the holes, kind of clogged up there, just sit back and wait a little bit. But also they see a little gap, they hit it downhill pretty fast. Just their blocking schemes, they work well as a unit on their O-line and definitely one of our challenges in this game.”

Defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry on whether Alabama has faced a similar offense to Michigan’s this season: “This offense kind of reminds me a little bit of Auburn. I feel like they do similar things. And also Georgia when they’re getting in a lot of silver and just lining up big guys and running the ball right at you.”

Alabama’s College Football Playoff semifinal will kick off at 4 p.m. CT on New Year’s Day.

Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].