Saturday Down South Rose Bowl Preview - worth the read
One of the best game previews I’ve seen. Balanced coverage with plenty of detail to back it up. The pick: Michigan 24 Bama 20.
Two other crazy stats:
- “Alabama has been blessed with a long line of elite wideouts — the roster featured at least 1 future first-rounder every year from 2012-21”
- “[Bama’s] roster is still the most talented in the country, boasting more former 5-star recruits (18) than the entire Big Ten conference (17).”
December 30th, 2023 at 9:40 AM ^
Matt Hinton has always been a great read.
December 30th, 2023 at 10:06 AM ^
Very insightful. However, I disagree with the author that Harbaugh is imperious.
December 30th, 2023 at 11:24 AM ^
Imperious?
NCAA wags think he's more than that. But the king hasn't been around enough on game days this season to sustain that verdict while actually perpetuating the idea that any number of his assistants or coordinators should be in royal line for his throne as we await NFL black Monday and Jim's perpetual not for long league coaching and contract renewal opportunity.
December 30th, 2023 at 9:43 AM ^
That 5* stat is mindblowing.
December 30th, 2023 at 10:04 AM ^
Money doesn’t buy happiness, but money buys talent, which can lead to happiness
December 30th, 2023 at 10:42 AM ^
It is insane that Alabama as a team has more 5* players than the B1G conference as a whole. And they got one more yesterday through the portal (Domani Jackson) which probably isn't included in this number.
December 30th, 2023 at 11:52 AM ^
There’s another area of Bama leadership that wasn’t mentioned. Long before NIL was a “thing” - Bama’s parking lot was filled with Chargers, Challengers, and a variety of muscle cars.
The Tide and their alumni know exactly how to do certain things. And, lunch bags / monies have been part of a mantra for a very long time.
I especially enjoyed Saban calling out A&M a couple of years ago. Essentially, Nick said - this isn’t fair, they’re offering prospects more than we are - and, they’re choosing College Station.
December 30th, 2023 at 11:58 AM ^
Playing Alabama in playground terms is like, instead of two team captains flipping a coin for first pick and then trading picks, Nick Saban always gets the first 10 picks. Take that away from Saban and his record ends up consistent with his MSU years.
Jim on the other hand toppled a similar USC dynasty when at Stanford. Let’s hope he can take down the country’s “best recruiter” at the Rose Bowl.
December 30th, 2023 at 6:25 PM ^
Your comment and Amazinblu's remarks are why I always say that Saban's, "achievements," at Alabama, at best, should be taken with an enormous grain of salt.
The reality is that the guy has been running a semi-pro team with little to no interference during his tenure there.
December 30th, 2023 at 10:12 AM ^
Agree. Well balanced and comprehensive. Michigan is favored for a reason but by the smallest margin.
It will be a huge task for me to enjoy the game while maintaining a healthy mindset.
December 30th, 2023 at 10:22 AM ^
Long story made short (and it was an excellent read), I am going to be near madness at various points in this game for reasons which may perhaps seem silly in retrospect, depending on the outcome.
December 30th, 2023 at 10:46 AM ^
So he mentioned there would be a football game?
December 30th, 2023 at 10:51 AM ^
Fun stat from last night - Missouri has had 3 five stars in program history; Ohio State had 6 starting last evening.
December 30th, 2023 at 11:19 AM ^
The stat that caught my eye is: 25% of Milroe’s attempts are 20+ yards.
The objectivity of the article was refreshing. Two good teams kick off on Monday afternoon. It comes down to quality of execution.
Go Blue!
December 30th, 2023 at 11:20 AM ^
Hmm. Most of the article doesn't seem that favorable to us. Reading through it you'd definitely expect him to pick Bama, but then in the conclusion he points out that we're #1 in the country all the advanced stats, so he picks us. Let's hope the stats are on to something.
December 30th, 2023 at 6:51 PM ^
Yeah, his analysis was all in favor of Alabama. Then his pick was Michigan, without much explanation.
December 30th, 2023 at 11:50 AM ^
Love all the “this article was too long” comments. Amazing. Makes sense why the poster who found the Bama blogs noted they were all reduced to quotisms.
feel better and better about this game as we get closer. I think pressure and forcing Milton to read a defense will result in a pick or two. We’ll grind down the field with some spot “holy shit” throws from JJ into Houston.
The only fear I have is if they play tight—players kept talking about being “perfect.” I think that was the major flaw that held them back against TCU; feeling like they had to win the game and forcing too much. Hopefully they let it all loose and don’t let mistakes and a deficit break them. Didn’t realize the tide were down 20-7 to TN?!
December 30th, 2023 at 11:55 AM ^
I saw a video of Jake Butt with Anthony Carter and John Wangler. The key takeaway / thought at the end was.. “Have fun. Trust. Enjoy the moment.”
Go Blue!
December 30th, 2023 at 12:38 PM ^
...forcing Milton to read a defense ...
Unfortunately, we're facing Milroe, not our old friend Milton. Hopefully the same sentiment applies, but it will be a greater challenge.
December 30th, 2023 at 1:02 PM ^
The comments are pretty predictable, especially how they all complain about how many words are written.
December 30th, 2023 at 1:13 PM ^
He may have picked Michigan but the bettors have stampeded in the other direction, via ESPN:
“Bettors have overwhelmingly sided with Alabama over Michigan so far, and bookmakers are expecting the money to continue flow in on the Crimson Tide ahead of the Rose Bowl on Monday.
Sportsbooks were reporting heavy action on the underdog Crimson Tide this week. Approximately three times as much money had been bet on Alabama as Michigan at some sportsbooks. At BetRivers sportsbooks, the Crimson Tide plus the points was the most popular bet of any of the remaining bowl games. The second-most popular was Alabama to win the game straight up.”
December 30th, 2023 at 6:52 PM ^
All the comments are totally dismissive of Michigan. Like, why even show up?