Michigan football’s Jim Harbaugh previews Rose Bowl against Alabama, Jalen Milroe
Alabama is headed to the “The Granddaddy of Them All.” The Crimson Tide booked a trip to Pasadena, Calif., on Sunday and will get to play in one of the most iconic venues in sports. And, by the way, face the No. 1 team in the country: Michigan.
Speaking on ESPN’s College Football Playoff selection show, Wolverines’ head coach Jim Harbaugh gave his thoughts on the No. 4 Tide ahead of the New Year’s Day matchup.
“It’s gonna take all. It’s gonna take all those days, all those hours, all those minutes. This first week we’re gonna give some days off to the players, the coaches. Then we’re gonna have about three weeks to get ready for this ball game.
“We played Alabama before, haven’t beaten them. We played Georgia before, haven’t beaten them. So we know it’s going to take our best. We’re gonna have to play really good.”
Alabama holds a 3-2 series edge over Michigan, the last meeting in the 2019 Citrus Bowl. The Wolverines are a perfect 13-0 this season, winning the Big Teen title. its’s defense is among the best in the country, limiting opponents to 239.2 yards per game. It allowed more than 20 points just twice this year. They’ll be tasked with limiting Jalen Milroe, who’s improved each week since being benched in September.
Milroe produced 221 yards of offense in the SEC Championship win over Georgia. He produced two touchdowns and no turnovers, leading multiple clutch drives before winning the game’s MVP award. Harbaugh said he watched a bit of the Tide’s 27-24 win before crushing Iowa 26-0. Harbaugh was then asked his thoughts on Milroe and the challenge of stopping UA’s offense.
“He’s got it. He’s got that ‘it’ factor. Surrounded by a lot of really superior athletes that are really well-coached and know what they’re doing. That’s a vital, critical combination when you can coach players to do what they’re supposed to do together as a unit. And then superior athletes are doing that? That’s what we think of our team. We think we’re that same type of team.”
As of Sunday afternoon, BetMGM had Michigan as a 1.5-point favorite.
Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].