For the second time this year, the Alabama Crimson Tide faced fourth and goal with their season on the line. But unlike in the Iron Bowl, where a 31 yard touchdown pass was the game winner, Alabama is stuffed on a QB draw and the tight season ends in the Rose Bowl, falling to Michigan 27-20 in overtime.
"Obviously, we're very disappointed about the outcome of the game," said Coach Nick Saban. "I don't think we played great in the first half, but I was really, really proud of the way our players played in the second half. We just didn't finish the last 4 minutes of the game. But one thing that I told them in the locker room after the game, this is one of the most amazing seasons in Alabama football history in terms of where this team came from, what they were able to accomplish and what they're able to do."
"I'm appreciative of my coaching staff for believing in me to have the ball in my hands when I last played," said Jalen Milroe." You win some, you lose, and it's all part of the game, you know, with anything, you know. I came down and followed by sea level training and we just failed on that plane. If you really analyze the game, one of the biggest things is, is we didn't play well enough on defense when we needed to."
"And the second thing is, is we had too many drive stopping plays on offense," said Saban. "I mean, we shot ourselves in the foot sack as a drive, stopping play, getting a penalty usually as a drive, stopping play."
All in all, the Michigan defense played great, holding Alabama to under 290 yards of total offense while recording six sacks in the process.
The Wolverines now head to the national championship, which is set to be played on January 8th.