Michigan linebacker Michael Barrett realized something on Thursday morning. Despite Alabama technically entering the College Football Playoff against Barrett’s Wolverines as the No. 4 seed, Barrett faced questions as if Michigan wasn’t the top-ranked team in the country.

“I’m sitting here talking like the underdog,” Barrett said during a Rose Bowl availability at the Sheraton Grand in Los Angeles. ” … I get it. It’s ‘Bama. It is what it is. Let everybody talk till the game. That’s kind of how I see it.”

As other Wolverines players described, they’re tired of facing comparisons to the Southeastern Conference. A lot of them were recruited nationally in high school, just like the Tide. They’ve played similar opponents, whether it’s Ohio State this year or other College Football Playoff teams in the past. Michigan holds the CFP experience edge over the current Alabama roster, which made its last appearance in 2021.

Despite BetMGM currently siding with Michigan (-1.5), edge rusher Jaylen Harrell said it’s like the Wolverines are the No. 4 seed and not Alabama, which snuck in over Florida State on selection Sunday.

“It’s ‘Bama, a big stereotype,” Harrell said. “Oh, we’re playing ‘Bama. They’ve been here, whatever, eight times or 10 times already. So everyone jumps on ‘Bama when it’s time to play playoffs, you know?”

Alabama’s JC Latham found that idea “a little funny” when asked about Harrell’s thoughts just under one hour later. Latham remembered the players-only meeting called after the Texas loss on Sept. 9 or the disappointing effort a week later against USF. Alabama’s team mantra — LANK or Let A Naysayer Know — is banked off proving doubters wrong.

“I feel like we’ve been underdogs no matter who we play, whether it’s the regular season, conference championship, playoffs, no matter who we play, guys always tend to favor the other team,” Latham said. “Our success is short-lived, and people say that it was kind of a one-off, kind of a one-time thing.”

Michigan has had its rallying cries, namely ‘Michigan vs. Everybody.’ The Wolverines program has been under fire in 2023 for an unresolved NCAA recruiting investigation and a sign-stealing scandal. Head coach Jim Harbaugh has been suspended for six games and multiple staffers have been dismissed.

ESPN will host the CFP Semifinals 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].