Nick Saban has an unexpected explanation for why Michigan caused problems for Alabama in the Rose Bowl

Alabama, which has spent much of coach Nick Saban’s 17-year tenure as an all-conquering machine, looked anything but in the Rose Bowl versus Michigan on Monday.

Against the Wolverines, the Crimson Tide were regularly discombobulated, snapping the ball recklessly and demonstrating an overall feeling of sloppiness. Despite a lackluster performance from the Wolverines at times, Michigan won 27-20 in overtime.

On The Pat McAfee Show on Thursday afternoon, Saban offered an intriguing reason for why Michigan frustrated Alabama throughout the length of the game: the Wolverines huddled.

Saban said Michigan was the Crimson Tide’s first huddle opponent of the season, but Alabama also played slowly, and the Wolverines were able to react.

“We didn’t go fast enough,” Saban said.