While the Michigan Wolverines are still the favorites in the 2023 Rose Bowl, many inside the Big 10 expect the Alabama football team to send them to another frustrating college football playoff loss on New Year’s Day.
This year’s playoffs feature several legendary brands and a quartet of powerhouse teams from this season. However, for as interesting as the game between Texas and Washington is, the football world is eagerly anticipating the Rose Bowl matchup between Michigan and Alabama.
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The programs are two of the most prominent in the sport and are led by, arguably, the two most well-known coaches in the college ranks — Jim Harbaugh and Nick Saban. However, for much of this season, the Wolverines have been seen as the better team and it’s why they are the current favorites heading into their game on Jan. 1.
With the Big 10 not having won a national title in a very long time, one would expect those inside the conference to be rooting for Michigan to break that streak. However, in a poll of Big 10 coaches, scouts, and analysts recently conducted by The Athletic, most expect Alabama football to prevail in their semifinal playoff game.
Big 10 coaches believe Michigan has gotten worse ahead of Rose Bowl clash with Alabama football
One of the major reasons why those in the conference don’t like Michigan’s chances — beyond recent history — is a belief that the team has not played as well since a recent investigation into alleged sign-stealing and illegal advanced scouting by the program. The inquiry by the NCAA led to a three-game ban at the end of the season for Harbaugh.
“They’re different now,” a Big10 head coach told the outlet. “It makes a huge difference to know when blitzes are coming, so when you pick it up, you can really attack it. After that [investigation] they weren’t always at the right place at the right time.”
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“They’re extremely talented, but if someone can hold up upfront with them, I think they’re just too one-dimensional,” said a secondary coach. “… They’ve got to get explosive plays on the perimeter somewhere, and those are gonna be hard to come by because Alabama can match up with them outside and still be stern enough against the run. Michigan is going to have to play such a clean game.”
Another head coach from the conference claimed that Alabama football quarterback Jalen Milroe is a unique talent that Michigan has not seen this season, and he would end up being a major factor in their Rose Bowl clash.
“If Milroe plays like he has lately, I think that’ll be too much for Michigan,” the anonymous head coach said. “There’s nobody like him in the Big Ten. [Alabama] has figured out how to use him, and that’s scary.”
Alabama vs Michigan takes place on New Year’s Day and will air at 5 PM ET on ESPN.