Michigan Football Defense Has Bama QB Jalen Milroe Wary

PASADENA — The 2024 Rose Bowl game between the No. 1 Wolverines and No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide, a game that will send one of these two college football giants to the title game and the other into the offseason, is upon us. On Saturday, Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe had a chance to speak on the Michigan football defense, and it’s clear that he is wary heading into tomorrow’s game.

Michigan football defense has been elite all year

Oct 7, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive back Will Johnson (2) celebrates after returning an interception for a touchdown against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the first quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

Jalen Milroe, who finished fifth in Heisman Trophy voting, has had an interesting season thus far. After a slow start, including a crushing two-score home loss against Texas in September, Milroe and Alabama have turned things around for the most part; however, they are about to face the No. 1 team in the country.

On the opposing sideline, Michigan football is 13-0 for the second season in a row — the Wolverines have checked all the boxes, such as beating Ohio State and winning the Big Ten, yet are far from satisfied with their progress. The Rose Bowl could be the Wolverines’ first CFP victory, though a national title remains Michigan’s top goal.

Jalen Milroe wary of the Wolverines’ defensive unit

Sep 23, 2023; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) is tackled for a loss by Mississippi Rebels linebacker Monty Montgomery (8) during the first half at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports

A major factor in Michigan’s success thus far has been Jesse Minter and his elite defensive unit — something that Bama quarterback Jalen Milroe appears wary of heading into Monday’s College Football Playoff semi-final matchup.

“There’s a reason why (Michigan football is) the No. 1 team in the country,” Milroe said Monday. “Statistically, they’re ranked really high in all, whether it’s interceptions or causing a lot of turnovers, negative plays. That is something we have to stay away from when we’re playing this football team.

“The first thing that speaks out when you look at the tape is how physical they play,” the Alabama quarterback added. “They have a veteran core. Then they have a lot of stunts and twists and stuff like that. That’s something we have to prepare really well for in this game because they’re going to hit us with a lot of things in this game.

“All we have to do is prepare the right way and be ready to play.”

Heading into the Rose Bowl, the elite Michigan football defense ranks No. 1 in scoring defense, No. 11 in turnovers forced, No. 1 in defensive scores, and more. On top of that, the Wolverines are also No. 2 in total defense and rank highly in both rushing and passing defense.

Jim Harbaugh and Michigan football also wary before facing Alabama Crimson Tide

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh watches a replay from the sideline during the second half of U-M’s 52-7 win over Indiana on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Ann Arbor.

While it’s true that Michigan is yet to face a team like Alabama, and that the Wolverines are yet to see a quarterback like the freak athlete that is Jalen Milroe, the opposite is also true: Bama has not seen a defense like Michigan’s, either. Still, Jim Harbaugh and others are wary of Milroe just the same.

“Yeah, I think (Jalen Milroe) is incredible,” Jim Harbaugh said yesterday. “He is their best thrower, he’s the best runner. It’s going to take all 11 on defense to stop him in particular.

“It’s a great team of receivers, offensive line — this is the best offensive line that we’ve played,” Harbaugh added. “I think they average about 350 (pounds) across the board. It’s a very talented group. We’re going to have to deal with them, they’re going to have to deal with us, and I think it’s going to be one heck of a match-up.”

All will be settled on the field in the Rose Bowl

Tomorrow, we shall see if the Michigan football defense can keep Jalen Milroe at bay, or if the Alabama Crimson Tide will triumph yet again in the CFP semi-final.

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