No. 1 Michigan took a 13-10 lead Monday into halftime of the College Football Playoff’s semifinal game in the Rose Bowl over No. 4 Alabama in Pasadena.

While the score may not be a surprise to many, how the Wolverines have stymied the Crimson Tide is a different story. Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe has dropped back 15 times, been pressured on eight of them and sacked five times.

“The biggest thing is we have to protect the passer,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said at halftime. “We’ve been sacked five or six times. Those are all drive stoppers. We have to run the ball more effectively. We got to mix it up. We have to move the pocket a little bit. We have to do something to get them blocked up front because we got some plays down the field. We just have to protect.”

The Crimson Tide has 96 yards of total offense. Other than a 34-yard, first-quarter touchdown run by Jase McClellan and 50-yard field goal from Will Reichard to end the half, there is little to write home about for the Tide.

That’s fine with Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh.

“Really good,” Harbaugh said at half of the game. “Love the three and outs that we got on defense, putting pressure on the quarterback and we’re covering on the back end.”

Michigan, meanwhile, has rolled 197 yards of total offense in the first half. In comparison, the Wolverines are averaging 6.4 yards per play, while Alabama is managing 3.8 yards per play.

The Tide gets the ball in the second half.

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.