Why Alabama’s star will the worst nightmare QB Michigan is going to encounter this season

admin | December 12, 2023 | Other Clubs | No Comments

Michigan will face a significant task in Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe.

In the Rose Bowl, No. 1 Michigan (13-0) will face No. 4 Alabama (12-1) in a tough challenge. Part of the tough test will be restricting Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe’s performance, who will be the most explosive QB Michigan has faced this season.

Milroe completed 65 percent of his throws for 2,718 yards, 23 touchdowns, and six interceptions this season. Milroe is a powerful player who can murder a squad with his running ability – he had 468 rushing yards and 12 scores on the ground.

Milroe has recently delivered heroic performances. In the SEC Championship Game, Alabama defeated then-No. 1 Georgia. Milroe only completed 56.5 percent of his attempts, but he made crucial plays, including two passing touchdowns in the second quarter that turned a 7-3 deficit into a 17-7 advantage. Milroe would go on to make a 30-yard rush on the game’s final possession, putting Alabama in victory shape at 27-24. Milroe’s game is hit-or-miss, but he’s still lightning in a bottle, ready to explode at any moment.

Milroe also kept Alabama’s postseason chances alive against Auburn in November. With 43 seconds remaining in the game, Alabama faced a 4th and Goal situation – from the 31-yard line! Milroe delivered a touchdown throw to Isaiah Bond with plenty of time and only two pass rushers. Alabama would go on to win the game 27-24.

“He’s playing at an elite level,” Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh said last week of Milroe. “Throughout the season, you can notice the improvement. He appears to have reached an inflection point just before the midway point.”

Harbaugh went on to describe Milroe as “elite” and praised his timing and decision-making abilities.

“He’s really playing well within the system,” Harbaugh added. “They’ve designed some great stuff for him.”

Milroe finished sixth in the Heisman voting, but outperformed Heisman winner LSU QB Jayden Daniels in November. Milroe rushed for 155 yards and scored four touchdowns while passing for 219 yards.

Milroe had several bumps in the road this season; it wasn’t always smooth sailing. In September, he battled against Texas. Milroe finished 14-of-27 for 255 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions in Alabama’s season-opening 34-24 loss. In October, Milroe battled in an unexpectedly close game against Arkansas. Milroe was only 10-of-21, but he gained significant yardage with his ten completions, finishing with 238 yards passing and two touchdowns in a 24-21 victory. Even with the best and worst Milroe has to offer, the data suggests he can cause havoc on defenses if given enough time to run around and throw the football.

Milroe is the second-highest rated quarterback Michigan has faced, according to ESPN’s Total QBR measure. Milroe is ranked ninth. Kyle McCord of Ohio State is the No. 8 quarterback on the list by chance. In Ohio State’s 30-24 loss to Michigan, McCord was 18-of-30 for 271 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. Michigan faced two other quarterbacks ranked in the top 30 by ESPN QBR, Maryland’s Taulia Tagovailoa (No. 26) and Penn State’s Drew Allar (No. 27). Tagovailoa had no touchdowns and two interceptions against Michigan, while Allar went 10-of-22 for 70 yards with one passing touchdown, 49 yards running, and one rushing score. If Michigan can keep Milroe to stat lines like the ones listed above, their chances of beating Bama will greatly increase.

Milroe can be neutralized by putting him on the ground. Michigan’s defense will need to provide consistent pressure. Alabama ranks 114th in sacks allowed, while Michigan ranks 34th in team sacks. Milroe has been sacked 38 times, ranking eighth in the country.

Michigan is ranked second in total defense, while Alabama is ranked 53rd in total offense. The advantage appears to be with Michigan’s defense, but games aren’t won on stat sheets – the outcome will be earned on New Year’s Day.