The College Football Playoff semifinal at the Rose Bowl pits the number one ranked Michigan Wolverines against the number four Alabama Crimson Tide, the two winningest programs in major college football. The Wolverines navigated multiple suspensions of coach Jim Harbaugh to win the Big Ten for the third straight season but are still seeking a first CFP win in hopes of claiming their first national title since 1997. The Crimson Tide overcame a poor start to seize the SEC and reach the CFP for the eighth time under Nick Saban. The winner will advance to face either Texas or Washington in the title game on Jan. 8 in Houston.
WHAT'S AT STAKE
Michigan is in the College Football Playoff for the third straight season but still seeking its first win, getting routed by Georgia in 2021 and upset by TCU last season. The Wolverines haven't won a national championship since 1997. Alabama is seeking its seventh title under coach Nick Saban and has been victorious in the semifinal in six of seven CFP appearances. Saban won his first championship with the Crimson Tide in the 2010 BCS title game in Pasadena, California.
KEY MATCHUP
Michigan RB Blake Corum vs. Alabama defensive linemen Tim Keenan III and Justin Eboigbe. Corum has been the offensive catalyst for the Wolverines for three seasons, but he had only 13 yards on three carries against the Bulldogs and didn't play against the Horned Frogs because of a knee injury. If he can deliver a performance on par with his 1,028 yards rushing and 24 touchdowns this season, Corum will not only open up the play-action passing game but can keep the explosive Crimson Tide aerial attack on the sideline. Keenan has been an anchor in the middle of the line, helping free up Eboigbe to make 11 1/2 tackles for loss with seven sacks. Together, they have helped Alabama limit opponents to 3.7 yards per carry.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Michigan: QB J.J. McCarthy. The junior wasn't nearly as effective in the final month of the season, failing to throw for more than 148 yards in any of his last four games, with one touchdown and one interception. The presumption is that McCarthy was dealing with an injury, though he professed to be healthy in the buildup to the CFP.
Alabama: QB Jalen Milroe. After being benched for a game against South Florida early in the season, Milroe has proved to be resilient and productive. He amassed 17 total touchdowns against one interception over the past five games, and his 31-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-31 to beat Auburn made him an Iron Bowl hero. Whether Milroe can maintain his excellent average of 10.4 yards per pass attempt against a miserly Michigan defense will be telling.
