According to Alabama football players, the Crimson Tide took an unprecedented step as it prepared for the Rose Bowl against Michigan. With the allegations surrounding sign-stealing from the Wolverines earlier in the season, players apparently aren’t using the Tide’s Catapult system to watch film on their tablets individually like usual.

Instead, UA is studying as a team. It’s a change, but offensive coordinator Tommy Rees said it hasn’t had a negative impact.

“I don’t think we’ve put any harm to what our preparation can look like with any of the things that we’ve done,” Rees said Thursday before the College Football Playoff semifinal. “And again, we’re focused on us, less about that stuff and more on what we can do to play well.”

Former Michigan staffer Connor Stalions allegedly orchestrated a sign-stealing operation, buying tickets to games of future UM opponents, reportedly including Alabama’s 2021 SEC championship game of opponents. Stalions would send others to videotape the sidelines of those teams to help Michigan know signs and signals.

The scandal led to Wolverine head coach Jim Harbaugh taking a three-game suspension to end the regular season.

From the player perspective, the change has altered how their weeks have gone. Offensive tackle JC Latham said the team delayed a trip to downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday until it got through another game together.

He said the change has had its positives for the roster.

“We all watch film differently in different ways,” Latham said. “We’re all watching it at the same time. We’re going over saying ‘Hey, I see this guy doing this. Hey do this and go here.’ We’re all on the same page. If anything, it’s brought us together.”

For the most part, Alabama players downplayed the tangible impact of the precaution. Quarterback Jalen Milroe said he was still watching large amounts of tape as Monday’s game approached.

Offensive guard Tyler Booker said the move isn’t a major factor.

“It doesn’t change anything really,” Booker said. “We just have to go to a different location to watch the film. We’re all still watching the film as we would before a game.”

Running back Jase McClellan also said the move wasn’t a big deal.

“It’s not much different,” McClellan said. “It’s just that we don’t get straight to our iPads, the practice film straight to our iPads. Only the coaches get it.”

The change is mainly procedural for Alabama. Still, it’s quite a move to make before the CFP.

But according to Booker, it hasn’t changed anyone’s attitude.

“That’s kind of an external factor,” Booker said. “That really doesn’t have much to do with us as far as preparation for the game.”

Alabama and Michigan are set to kick off at 4:00 p.m. CT Monday in Pasadena. The game will be aired on ESPN.

The winner will face either Washington or Texas in the national championship game.