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Free Press sports writers share their predictions for the College Football Playoff semifinal between Michigan football and Alabama in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Jan. 1:
Tony Garcia
Michigan implemented a “Beat Georgia” drill last offseason as an ode to the two-time defending national champion that Alabama toppled in the SEC title game. The Wolverines are the No. 1 overall seed — the first Big Ten team to earn that — but have to prove they can win on the national stage. U-M is 1-5 in bowl games and 0-2 in the CFP under Jim Harbaugh. Meanwhile, Nick Saban is, well, Nick Saban. Quarterback Jalen Milroe is a level of athlete Michigan has yet to see, and while it might not be a vintage Alabama team, there’s plenty of talent with defenders such as Dallas Turner and Chris Braswell. Still, Michigan has trained all year for this. Blake Corum breaks U-M’s carer TD record, J.J. McCarthy only throws one pick and rushes in a TD on a quarterback-read, the defense forces two turnovers and a last-second field goal will be replayed by U-M fans for decades to come. The pick: U-M 26, Alabama 23.
‘I WOULD WANT NO OTHER TEAM’: Michigan welcomes CFP matchup with behemoth Alabama
Carlos Monarrez
Other than facing Georgia, this is the worst possible outcome for the Wolverines. The Crimson Tide enter the Rose Bowl hot, having just knocked off the then-No. 1 Bulldogs, ending their 29-game winning streak in the SEC title game. This game is honestly a toss-up, when you consider how good the Wolverines have been. But Alabama is more battle-tested in the tougher SEC and Milroe has been impressive since he was benched after a loss to Texas in September. The Tide also has more premier talent, with likely first-round draft picks in Turner, Kool-Aid McKinstry and JC Latham on its stacked roster. The pick: Alabama 27, U-M 24.
SHAWN…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/michigan-football-predictions-vs-alabama-110905803.html
Author : Detroit Free Press
Publish date : 2023-12-04 11:09:05
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