Alabama QB Shares What He’s Learned About Michigan Football

In a handful of days, Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe will get his crack at Michigan football in the Rose Bowl game — the winner will advance to the national title game, while the loser’s season will be over. Thursday afternoon, we heard from Milroe, who explained what he has learned about Jim Harbaugh and his Wolverines since the CFP field was announced.

Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe shares what he has learned about Michigan football

Dec 2, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) runs against the Georgia Bulldogs in the first quarter of the SEC Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Jalen Milroe finished just outside of the Heisman Trophy finalists, coming in at No. 5 nationally all said and done despite his slow start to the 2023 season. While he knows that Michigan football will be a tough opponent, he maintains that the SEC will have him prepared for the Rose Bowl against the No. 1-ranked Wolverines.

But what makes Michigan football stand out to Jalen Milroe? Well, he explained some of what he had learned earlier today.

“(Michigan football is) a physical team, play really hard, have a veteran group that plays well together because they have great chemistry,” the Alabama quarterback said. “There’s a reason why they’re undefeated. They force a lot of turnovers. They play disciplined. They’re fast to the football. They have a lot of components to them that make them successful, and statistically, you see that, and it’s evident when you put on the tape.

“Up front, they have a really good defensive line, good edge rushers on the outside,” he added. “Their interior D-line play really hard, physical. They do a lot of stunts, do a lot of picks up front, which is something that we’re trying to prepare as much as possible for that circumstance because they do a really good job forcing pressure on the quarterback, making him throw the ball and affect him as much as possible. That is something we have to prepare for, and they’re really good at it.”

Rose Bowl will settle everything on the field

Jan 1, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; A general view of the Capitol One and College Football Playoff (CFP) logo on the field during the Rose Bowl between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

While it’s true that Michigan football has not faced a quarterback of Milroe’s caliber all season long, the opposite remains true as well: the Crimson Tide have not faced a team of Michigan’s caliber, either.

On New Year’s Day, everything will be settled on the field, as Michigan football looks to appear in the program’s first-ever national championship game.

Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics and Big Ten content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Publisher at [email protected]. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all other streaming platforms. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest-growing and most influential Michigan media outlets there is!