They have the best defense in college football and have played 3 of top 4 defenses in college football on the way to being undefeated. Hanging 26, 30 and 24 on them so the offense is there as well.
They played the best defenses
statistically, but none of the BIG schools played any noteworthy non-conference opponents. Moreover, those teams had bad offenses. Michigan won by wearing other defenses down with ground-and-pound running and by playing solid defense themselves.
Alabama has (IMO) a false sense of how good they are because the SEC hasnt played very good defense this year. We will see. I still think Milroe is a liability who may end up biting Alabama in the ass just like he was at the start of the year.
I think this is a fair point to make. Milroe takes negative plays and gets sacked - sometimes a lot. McCarthy's not flashy but he doesn't make mistakes. Milroe has more ability to make big plays but he also has a greater tendency to make bad ones. This will be an interesting QB battle.
If Michigan can get a lead they will force Alabama to throw the ball which isnt going to end well for them. Michigan has the secondary to match up man to man on Alabama's WR's which allows their LB's to focus on Milroe and the Alabama run game. Milroe isnt going to pick anyone apart. He throws the ball deep and is very athletic, I dont think that's enough to beat Michigan.
I think what we don't know yet is how well the lines stack up against each other. I've watched so many bowl games over the years thinking a team would match up well against Bama, Georgia, or other SEC teams, and they just get run over. So we'll see.
Michigan's line is experienced, and they play well as a unit because of this (both sides of the football). Alabama's lines maybe more talented but not as experienced, so there could be some lapses. If Michigan can stuff the run - like really stuff it - then that does put pressure on Milroe. Similarly, if Alabama can stuff Michigan's run, then that puts a ton of pressure on McCarthy.
I'm leaning Alabama but this is a winnable game for Michigan if they play well as a unit, particularly on the lines, and don't make mistakes.
