The Michigan Wolverines are heading to the College Football National Championship. Nick Saban’s Alabama Crimson Tide gave Jim Harbaugh’s team all they could handle in the 27-20 Rose Bowl loss, but in the end, the loaded roster the Wolverines put together was no match for the SEC program.
While Coach Saban and Coach Harbaugh are certainly involved here, who are the biggest individual winners and losers from the 2024 Rose Bowl?
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Winner: Michigan’s front seven dominates Alabama in the trenches
In the first half, the entire story was all about how Michigan’s pass rush was just too much for Alabama’s protection scheme to handle. Jalen Milroe didn’t have any room to breathe in the first half of play after being pressured on 53% of his dropbacks. Alabama had no answer for a swarming Michigan pass rush; even projected first-round pick, right tackle J.C. Latham, got beat for a sack.
By the end of the first half alone, Alabama had allowed Milroe to be sacked five times. In the second half, center Seth McLaughlin had bad snaps, leading to fumbles on back-to-back plays to put Alabama in another tough spot. While the Crimson Tide were performing well in the run game, when it came to pass protection, it was a complete mess.
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Loser: Alabama’s defense outperformed by Michigan’s offense
For once, we saw an Alabama offensive line that was completely overmatched. Yet, defensively, it was the same story, which is a rare occurrence under Coach Saban. But the truth is, Michigan’s defense was just more dominant from start to finish. They controlled the trenches, and held Jalen Milroe in check through the air.
It was the opposite story for the usually stout Crimson Tide, who allowed Michigan to outgain Alabama, 351 yards to 288. Making matters worse, Alabama didn’t create any turnovers despite getting their hands on multiple passes from McCarthy. Who knows? Had freshman safety Caleb Downs been able to re-establish his position in bounds prior to his overturned interception, maybe it would have been a different story. Yet, Alabama’s defense never came so close to creating a turnover for the rest of the matchup, even if the special teams showed up.
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Winner: Blake Corum saves the day again
While Alabama’s Jase McClellan had a great game, Blake Corum stole the show in the end. Without his overtime 17-yard touchdown run, Michigan might not be headed to the CFP National Championship.
Thankfully, Corum did what he’s done his entire Michigan career, and used his agility, patience and vision to find the hole, leading to what ended up being the game-winning touchdown run.
McClellan finished with 87 yards and two touchdowns on 14 attempts, and while he couldn’t top the century mark, this was arguably one of his best games as a member of the Crimson Tide. Meanwhile, Corum was just as effective, finishing with 83 yards and a touchdown on 19 attempts. Corum also added two more receiving yards and a touchdown catch to score 12 of Michigan’s 27 points. Ultimately, Corum was Michigan’s hero in the Rose Bowl.
Loser: Nick Saban’s recent championship drought continues
This is rare territory for the legendary Alabama coach. Not only does Nick Saban not get a chance to extend his record of College Football Championship wins from seven to eight, this is the first time Alabama didn’t get a bowl win since 2014.
While Alabama entered the day as underdogs, being that they were ranked fourth, and Michigan was ranked first, many others expected the SEC powerhouse to overcome Michigan’s all-around effort. Yet, the opposite was true, showing Alabama’s not quite the same team we’ve seen in the recent past.
Winner: Jim Harbaugh heads to first CFP National Championship
Was there ever any doubt? There were many ups and downs, but for a large part of the game, Michigan controlled the script thanks to winning the trenches.
Coach Harbaugh, in his first game returning from suspension, led a Michigan team that seemed more prepared for the big moment than their opponents on the opposing sidelines. Now, his reward is taking a very good Wolverines team to the College Football National Championship for the first time since 1997.
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