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PASADENA, Calif. — The Michigan defense knew Jalen Milroe was coming — all 6-foot-2, 220 pounds of the Alabama quarterback. He charged straight up the middle on the play that would decide the arc of Michigan’s season, this Rose Bowl semifinal and Jim Harbaugh’s way of doing, well, everything.
This was the kind of knowledge gained through film study, staying late for practice and a little bit of common sense. Alabama and Milroe lived on explosive plays this season. Michigan relied on stoning those plays. Something had to give, even it was obvious what was coming.
“The word is ‘attack,’ right?” Michigan defensive coordinator Jesse Minter said. “… The ball is going to be in [Milroe’s] hands. He’s their best player. He’s super versatile. … We wanted to force the issue and not sit back and wait.”
Sometimes, it’s best not to overthink these situations. On fourth-and-goal from the Michigan 3-yard line in overtime, Milroe threw his body right up the A gap — that fierce nether region on either side of the center — where Michigan has made its living on both sides of the ball under Jim Harbaugh. At that moment, a rock-solid quarterback was stopped for no gain and more than a giant was slayed.
For once in this at-times tortured season for No. 1 Michigan, accusations and innuendo were stuffed just like Alabama’s quarterback. They at least were overshadowed by the momentous result that put the Wolverines in a position to play for their first national championship in 26 years.
“We don’t care anymore,” Harbaugh said. “Don’t care what people say.”
The (accused) sign stealers became heart breakers and soul crushers on Monday night in a 27-20 win over No. 4 Alabama. Milroe and the Crimson Tide just happened to be in the way.
“We knew exactly what…
Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/jim-harbaugh-proves-michigans-bully-ball-works-taking-down-biggest-of-them-all-in-alabama-nick-saban/
Author : Dennis Dodd
Publish date : 2024-01-02 06:24:28
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