Alabama, which has spent much of coach Nick Saban's 17-year tenure as an all-conquering machine, looked like anything but against Michigan in the Rose Bowl Monday.
The Crimson Tide were frequently discombobulated against the Wolverines, snapping the ball carelessly and exhibiting a general sense of sloppiness. The result: a 27-20 Michigan overtime win despite a shaky performance from the Wolverines at times.
On a Thursday afternoon hit on The Pat McAfee Show, Saban offered an interesting explanation as to why Michigan frustrated Alabama for the duration of the game: the Wolverines huddled.
Saban said Michigan was the Crimson Tide's first huddling opponent of the season, Alabama fell into the trap of playing slowly as well, and the Wolverines were able to adjust.
"We didn't go fast enough," Saban said.
Nick Saban on The Pat McAfee Show says an overlooked key from the Michigan game was huddling.
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) January 4, 2024
Michigan was the first huddle team Alabama played this year, & Alabama didn't huddle but went slow, allowing Michigan to adjust to formations.
"We didn't go fast enough."
The disparity between the two teams was clear in the aftermath: Michigan outgained the Crimson Tide 351-288, averaging 5.9 yards per play against 4.4 for Alabama.
How Washington—a high-octane team despite running a relatively low 66.1 plays per game—adjusts to the Wolverines' plodding pace will go a long way toward determining the national championship on Monday.
