By Zain Bando
At the beginning of December, I incorrectly predicted that Alabama would knock off Michigan to advance to Nick Saban’s would-be eighth national title appearance – his seventh with the Crimson Tide.
It didn’t happen.
By now, the college football world knows the outcome of the Rose Bowl. Blake Corum’s electrifying touchdown run gave the Wolverines a 27-20 advantage before Jalen Milroe and company were given one last gasp to extend the game.
Then it became fourth down.
Out of every play offensive coordinator, Tommy Rees could have drawn up on that crisp New Year’s Day in Pasadena, Calif., with the whole nation holding its proverbial breath, the worst possible play design occurred.
Milroe attempted to plow ahead for the game-extending first down but to no avail.
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" It's Williams in motion. Low snap. MILROE STOPPED. MICHIGAN MAKES A STAND AND COMES UP WITH A MILESTONE PLAYOFF VICTORY."
Chris Fowler on the call for the Final play of the Rose Bowl.
Michigan beats Alabama 27-20 in overtime. pic.twitter.com/NFjkAGZKiT
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 2, 2024
Dreams dashed. Memories faded. The “what-ifs” began.
It was all over. Michigan, a team that looked deflated just a month prior amid Jim Harbaugh’s four-game suspension for sign-stealing allegations, now sits one game away from college football’s mountaintop.
The No. 1 Wolverines advanced to the title game opposite a Washington Huskies team (Monday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN), ranked second, who held off a tough Texas squad that had won the Big 12 less than a month prior.
Why should Tommy Rees earn the blame?
Nonetheless, Rees’s play call will likely haunt him for years, considering the momentum unraveling in Alabama’s favor. Milroe kept the Crimson Tide in the game despite surrendering six sacks and throwing for less than 200 yards, his lowest total of the season.
None of it mattered. The quarterback draw was so egregious that it failed to account for Jase McClellan, who should have been given the rock. A two-touchdown performance, which was his best game of the season, along with his increased productivity in the second half, made the decision shameful.
Even though Alabama hung tough, it was like a downfall in a heavyweight fight. Except this time, Tyson Fury didn’t get up when knocked down by Deontay Wilder (spoiler alert: he did, and they fought three times).
Despite his fairly recent hiring, it may be time for Saban, arguably the greatest college football coach ever, to look in a new direction on the offensive side.
It’s easier said than done, but it may allow Saban to rethink his philosophy on preparation and not say things about “wishing” he could have put his team in a better position to win instead of actually doing it.
It’s a cop-out in many respects and an embarrassment to those who root for Alabama or played for them.
The teams that hoisted trophies all those years ago should be ashamed.
Is the dynasty over? Probably not. But the Big Ten has certainly arrived, and thanks to Michigan, the SEC may have been exposed.
Nonetheless, it’s a moment Rees should receive no sympathy for because he doesn’t deserve it. And, for the next 362 days, he and his team can sit with a sour look until the next time the College Football Playoff rolls around.
