Michigan Football Defense Must Shut Down These Alabama Stars

In less than a month, the No. 1 Wolverines (13-0, 10-0 Big Ten) and the No. 4 Crimson Tide (21-1, 8-1 SEC) will face off in the Rose Bowl (College Football Playoff semi-final) for a shot at the national title game. While Alabama had a slower start to the 2023 season, Nick Saban has his Tide playing their best ball — as evidenced in the SEC title game — heading into this season’s CFP matchups. Jesse Minter and the Michigan football defense will have their work cut out for them when it comes to Alabama, especially when it comes to Jalen Milroe, Isaiah Bond, and Jermaine Burton.

Michigan football defense must contain Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe

At the beginning of the season, Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe struggled — this led to an uninspiring win over South Florida, a loss against Texas, and more struggles on the offensive side of the football throughout the first half of the regular season slate. That said, the Crimson Tide are a far different team than they were a few months ago, as is their quarterback, Jalen Milroe.

Throughout his first year as Alabama’s starting quarterback, Jalen Milroe has completed 65.5 percent of his throws for 2,718 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, and six interceptions. If that was not enough, Milroe has already racked up an impressive 468 rushing yards and 12 — yes, twelve — rushing touchdowns. He leads the team in passing TDs, rushing TDs, and total TDs this season.

Jalen Milroe LASER👀

pic.twitter.com/mCrPbWjUea

— PFF College (@PFF_College) December 2, 2023

Jermaine Burton is another weapon for Alabama’s offense

While Milroe has been impressive, he has needed some elite wide receivers to throw to this fall — one of which is California native Jermaine Burton, a senior wide receiver and the Tide’s leading pass-catcher. While Burton’s numbers are not all that impressive — hauling in 35 passes for 777 yards and eight touchdowns through 11 games this year — he has been a rock for Milroe to throw to.

If Jesse Minter and Michigan football expect to shut down Alabama’s passing offense, forcing the Tide to run the ball, keeping Jermaine Burton at bay will be crucial for the Maize and Blue.

Jermaine Burton cooked the db lmao pic.twitter.com/GuFilE8h81

— John (@iam_johnw) December 2, 2023

Isaiah Bond — Milroe’s go-to as of late

“Bond. Isaiah Bond.” Words that will live in infamy among the Alabama fanbase after the Tide’s sophomore wideout caught an essential 4th and 31 pass to defeat Auburn 27-24 in the Iron Bowl this year. Bond leads Bama’s offense in receptions (44), has accumulated 621 receiving yards, and caught an additional four touchdowns thus far.

While Isaiah Bond does not have as many yards or touchdowns as Burton, Jalen Milroe seems to always find him throughout the course of a game. Keep an eye on No. 17 when Alabama takes the field on offense, because he is a fast-rising superstar for the Crimson Tide.

4th and 31.

The play that saved Alabama's season 👏pic.twitter.com/WjeloQyzgQ

— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) December 3, 2023

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