The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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JANUARY 2024 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 21 stead of undefeated Florida State. Some took that to mean they were "scared" of the Crimson Tide. More than anything, however, they were relishing their role as the Big Ten's best for the third straight season after a long and arduous cam- paign. "I've had plenty of success, but that your players know what it's like to be a champion, that their families can know what it's like to be a champion … for my wife, my kids to have their dad be a champion — for my parents to have their son be a champion — that's the great thrill," Harbaugh said. "Friends and most especially my kids, they know what it's like that their dad is a champion, and mostly the play- ers, they get to feel what it's like to be a champion. That's a beautiful, wonderful thing." ❑ Michigan hasn't been to the Rose Bowl since 2005, following a 2004 season in which it shared the Big Ten title. This year's stakes, however, have never been higher, even going back to the 1970s. Back then, even undefeated U-M teams needed help to stay in the hunt for the na- tional championship, which used to be de- cided by an end-of-year vote. But the 2023 Wolverines control their own fate in this one — beat Alabama, the SEC champion after an upset of Georgia in the conference title game, and they'll advance to the National Championship Game against either Washington or Texas, who will face off in the Sugar Bowl. Both College Football Playoff semifinal games will be played on New Year's Day. "We're excited to face them," head coach Jim Harbaugh said. "It's iconic. It's Alabama. It's Roll Tide. It's doesn't get any better, to be playing in the Rose Bowl. I'm just going to appreciate the tradition of the Rose Bowl, playing a great team like Alabama. "What we did was special. … We're thrilled to be where we're at. We're thrilled to be playing Alabama, thrilled to be playing in the Rose Bowl because it's going to be competition. That's what this team lives for." Michigan last faced Alabama in the Citrus Bowl Jan. 1, 2020, losing 35-16 af- ter holding a 16-14 halftime lead. The Wolverines went 2-4 in the following CO- VID season before ascending to become one of the most dominant programs in the country over the past three seasons, going 38-3 in their past 41 contests. Alabama has been back competing for national titles since that point, too, winning it all in 2020 and reaching the championship game the following year. "It's the kind of stuff you hope for, you work for, you plan for," Harbaugh said. "To be in that position … nothing but the highest respect for [Alabama head] Coach [Nick] Saban. He's always treated us with respect. … "He's super interesting to talk to, and yeah, we're going against the best. Tradition is [great] — two true blue bloods of football, facing Alabama." The key for the Wolverines will be slowing quarterback Jalen Milroe. He became the starter to open the season, briefly lost his job for one game after the Texas loss, but he returned to the starting role to guide the Crimson Tide through the SEC gauntlet. Entering the CFP, he has completed 65.5 percent of his passes for 2,718 yards and 23 touchdowns against 6 interceptions, while adding 468 yards and 12 scores on the ground. "He's playing at an elite level, and you can see the improvement throughout the sea- son," Harbaugh said. "It just really seems like he hit an inflection point there right before the halfway mark. He's got also a special set of athletic skills. "But as far as timing, decision-making, ac- curacy, he's playing really well within the system. They've designed some great stuff for him. We have a similar quarterback, so we just have noticed the level he's playing at. He's elite." Saban, meanwhile, expressed the same level of respect for the Wolverines. "They've got a great defensive team. I know they're one of the best defensive teams in the country," Saban said. "They do a great job of attacking the ball and getting turnovers. "They're very productive on offense. The quarterback is a good player — good runner, great balance. I haven't been able to see them, and it wouldn't be fair enough to compare them to someone else that we've played, but I certainly have a tremendous amount of respect for what they've been able to accomplish all year long." Alabama is 6-1 in the College Football Playoff semifinal round and has won three national championships since the four-team format began in 2014. Michigan has made the last two CFPs but has been bounced in the semis each time. Saban lost his first semifinal game to Ohio State in 2014 and has ripped off six straight in the semis since then. Harbaugh knows the Wolverines, who are 1-point favorites in mid-December, will have their work cut out. "We've accomplished many of our goals, and now winning it all is what we had also put on the goal sheet," Harbaugh said. "That's what we'll turn our one-track mind to, to this next opponent. Playing Alabama in the Final Four, we'll do what we always do — we'll play, we'll prepare, we'll practice, and get ready to give it our very best." — Chris Balas Michigan Vs. Alabama Set For Classic Rose Bowl Semifinal Junior linebacker Junior Colson led the U-M defense with 8 tackles and 2 pass breakups in the shutout victory against Iowa. PHOTO BY MICHAEL MILLER