Top analyst identifies biggest matchup for Alabama v. Michigan in Rose Bowl

admin | December 13, 2023 | Other Clubs | No Comments

Is there an obvious edge for Alabama football over Michigan in the Rose Bowl?

Both schools enter the College Football Playoff showdown on New Year’s Day as conference winners.

Joel Klatt, a Fox Sports college football expert, discussed the biggest showdown for both teams on The Next Round Show.

Michigan’s ability to handle a mobile quarterback like Jalen Milroe will be a big factor in the outcome of the Rose Bowl. @joelklatt @CFBONFOX @RoseBowlStadium @AlabamaFTBL @UMichFootball pic.twitter.com/eNG6oVVqgV

— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) December 11, 2023

He sees sophomore quarterback Jalen Milroe as the Crimson Tide’s X-factor. Milroe finished sixth in the Heisman Trophy voting with 35 touchdowns and six interceptions. He was named the Southeastern Conference Championship Game’s Most Valuable Player after throwing two touchdown passes in Alabama’s 27-24 victory over Georgia. Miroe’s dual-threat ability, according to Klatt, will pose a challenge to Michigan’s defense. He claimed that the Wolverines had never encountered a talent like Milroe.

“Michigan has not seen a quarterback that is remotely close to Jalen Milroe,” Klatt said on The Next Round on Monday.

“What he brings to the table in terms of movement and the ability to throw the ball downfield… That hasn’t happened in Michigan. The Big Ten offenses were not particularly strong. Even Ohio State’s was not of recent vintage because Kyle McCord was nowhere near as good as CJ Stroud. Their ability to deal with Milroe’s mobility will be critical in this game because this defense was not designed for a mobile quarterback. This is a football defense. This is a defense designed for the Big Ten.”

Klatt said Texas handled Milroe and Alabama in week two, but he’s curious to see how the Wolverines tackle the Crimson Tide’s offense this week. It has pressure-creating playmakers up front and ball hawks in the secondary, but can Jim Harbaugh and Michigan slow down Milroe? Since the Ole Miss game, he has been letting skeptics know.

People should be treated to a fun Rose Bowl game.