Brad Nessler tried to warn Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy ahead of the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Rose Bowl.

“Great guy,” McCarthy said of the CBS sportscaster. “Love him. He said, ‘Watch out for 15 and 41. They’re coming for you.’”

Nessler, of course, was referring to Alabama’s outside linebacker pairing of Dallas Turner (15) and Chris Braswell (41). The duo combined for 19 sacks this fall, including 18 quarterback hurries and five forced fumbles. Alabama’s defense had become elite throughout the fall, in part due to a pair of early NFL Draft picks terrorizing quarterbacks.

Yet, during UA’s 27-20 overtime loss to the No. 1 Wolverines, Turner and Braswell were mostly afterthoughts. McCarthy threw for 221 yards and three touchdowns. Running back Blake Corum ran for 83 yards on 19 carries, including the game-winning touchdown. And worst of all for the Tide, Turner was credited with the team’s only sack and stop for a loss.

“This game was going to be won in the trenches, and I feel like they did a tremendous job taking out two great edge rushers, two great interior guys. I never really felt them all game just because of the tremendous job LaDarius (Henderson) did and Trente (Jones) did and (Trevor Keegan), (Drake Nugent), Carson stepping up in a big-time role,” McCarthy said.

Turner got to him once. On a double-pass trick play, Turner tracked down McCarthy near the U-M sideline, blasting him to the ground. McCarthy was slow to get up and was able to build off the 20-yard pickup to Roman Wilson.

During Michigan’s comeback drive, which traveled 75 yards across eight plays, McCarthy completed three passes for 50 yards, rushing for 16 more on a scramble. Another throw to Wilson was tipped at the line and led to defensive back Malachi Moore mistiming his jump on the ball.

Turner was visibly frustrated at multiple points throughout the game and questioned the game plan in the locker room.

“I don’t always rush the quarterback. Why? I don’t know. I just do what I’m told,” Turner told Alex Scarborough of ESPN.

Alabama tied its lowest combined number of tackles for loss and sacks in a single game this year. After stopping Michigan’s offense for most of the second half — forcing three punts and a long field goal that was missed — Alabama needed answers while running out of time.

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