This Michigan team has had controversy. Head coach Jim Harbaugh was suspended for three games in the late stage of the season for sign stealing. Led by star RB Blake Corum, QB JJ McCarthy and a stellar defense, the Michigan Wolverines won “The Game” against Ohio State for the third year in a row. This booked their ticket to the Big 10 championship against Iowa. They cruised to an easy 26-0 victory facing the Hawkeyes, cementing their undefeated 13-0 season, their place in the College Football Playoffs, and, with the fall of the number one ranked Georgia Bulldogs, gained the one seed.
Alabama, on the other hand, did not have such an easy road to the CFP. After losing by double digits at home to Texas, it seemed like a lost season, and the Crimson Tide did not respond well either. They edged out wins against far inferior teams like Texas A&M and Arkansas, as well as being tied 3-3 at halftime against South Florida (although they went on to win 17-3). Facing Tennessee, another ranked team, they won handedly, 34-20, hitting their stride as they rattled off dominant wins versus other top teams like LSU and Kentucky. Despite this, in the “Iron Bowl,” playing their biggest rivals 6-6 Auburn, they found themselves needing a last-second 4th and 31 TD pass from QB Jalen Milroe to win. The Crimson Tide then booked their place in the SEC Championship, playing the back-to-back national champion Georgia Bulldogs, who had not lost a game in their last 29. ‘Bama won a close game, and the CFP committee controversially gave them the 4 seed over 13-0 Florida State.
Although The Blue have had an undefeated season without many problems, their strength of schedule is ranked 51st in the nation, with only two ranked wins against Ohio State and Penn State. On the flip side, the Crimson Tide had the 5th toughest strength of schedule. With the help of the greatest coach in CFB history who has extensive playoff experience, Nick Saban, Alabama will beat Michigan 28-24 in the Rose Bowl.
