Among the overwhelming number of ho-hum teams playing in non-descript bowls, two blockbuster teams are playing in the Granddaddy of them all, with a ticket to the national championship hanging in the balance. It’s Alabama v. Michigan in The Rose Bowl.
The teams rank 1-2 historically in number of college football wins–Michigan at 1002 and Alabama at 965. Together, the schools have claimed 29 national championships during a timeframe that stretches over a century, from 1901 (Michigan) to 2020 (Alabama).
Both teams have excelled recently, too. Since the College Football Playoff was initiated in 2015, Alabama has missed the sweepstakes only twice, while Michigan has made it into the semifinal round three consecutive years. But while the Tide have won three CFP championships, the Wolverines have notched none, knocked out in the semifinals in both 2022 and 2023.
Will this year be a game-changer? One reason it might is that QB J.J. McCarthy (2023 stats: 2,630 yds pass, 19 TDs, 4 INTs, QBR 89.2) will have both of his prime running backs available–Donovan Edwards (382 yds rush, 3 TDs) and Blake Corum (1,028 yds rush, 24 TDs, 4.7 yds avg), Corum watched from the sidelines last year when the Wolverines fell to Texas Christian in last season’s semifinal game.
While Corum’s loss hurt the Wolverines then, Jim Harbaugh’s suspensions (twice) this season didn’t stop UM. Amid controversies that made national headlines, Harbaugh watched six of twelve games on his TV. Still, the Michigan student-athletes played with purpose, endurance, leadership, and resolve. The team recorded an undefeated season and won the coveted Big Ten crown for the third consecutive time.
Will those traits carry over to New Year’s Eve night in Pasadena? Oddsmakers give UM the nod, -2.0 (as of 12/23/23).
