ANAHEIM, California — Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh and his No. 1 Wolverines arrived in Southern California early Wednesday afternoon. Harbaugh and his players were transported through Disneyland on horse-drawn carriages, flooded with confetti, and preceded by two marching bands and a parade, giving them a taste of the fanfare that surrounds the Rose Bowl.
But, a half-hour later, in a suffocated lobby thronged by reporters, the pageantry was gone, and it was all business. And as Harbaugh and some of his key defensive players began to describe their month of preparation for the Crimson Tide, one name came up repeatedly: Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe.
“(The Crimson Tide’s) offense goes because of what Milroe is able to do by extending plays,” graduate cornerback Mike Sainristil said. “He has a very strong arm, (and a) really talented arm.”
Milroe’s arm talent, which Sainristil mentioned, was on full display throughout the season. Milroe got the passing game going after overcoming early struggles to win a hotly contested quarterback battle in late September. Milroe led Alabama to a late resurgence to squeak into the College Football Playoff (CFP) and finished sixth in Heisman voting less than a month ago, with 23 touchdown passes and only six interceptions.
Milroe got to that point thanks to more than just his arm talent. Rather, it was his ability to create something out of nothing with his legs that made him such a threat later in the season. Indeed, Harbaugh described Milroe’s athleticism in terms familiar to his own team.
“He’s like a really polished Alex Orji,” Harbaugh said of Michigan’s sophomore quarterback, who is known for his size and athleticism. “You can see the volume of work and how it has progressed by understanding the athletic skill set, playmaking ability, and simply the ability to make plays.” “(Milroe) really impressed me.”
Milroe, as Harbaugh mentioned, has made plays on the ground on a regular basis. Milroe’s ability to scramble is a big part of what makes him effective. He has 12 rushing touchdowns, which is tied for second most for a quarterback, and 468 rushing yards. And, for that reason, much of Michigan’s defensive emphasis has been placed on preventing him from doing so.
“The most important thing when dealing with a scrambling quarterback is trying to contain him,” senior defensive lineman Kris Jenkins said. “If he steps out, you just have to play off him.” You must go after him once he escapes. But, you know, the most important thing is that you have to contain him.”
Containing Milroe requires Jenkins and the defensive line to first overcome Alabama’s imposing offensive line, which features three 350-pounders. However, more than just brawn is required. It necessitates collaboration.
“Really, the biggest thing is pass rushing as one, pass rushing as a unit,” Jenkins went on to say. “… We believe there will be opportunities as long as we function as a unit, which we have been practicing all season.”
However, the Wolverines’ approach to Milroe has included the realization that, no matter how hard they try to contain him, he will always get the best of them at times. While describing the defense’s overall goal of containing Milroe on the ground, Sainristil acknowledged as much.
“He’s going to, at some point in the game, be able to create extra plays with his feet,” he said. “You can’t completely stop someone during the game… but contain him, keep him in the pocket, force him to throw accurate downfield passes, and play tight, sticky coverage on their receivers.”
While the Crimson Tide’s offense “runs” through Milroe, it does not do so consistently. Milroe has a strong, accurate arm and is one of the fastest quarterbacks the Wolverines have faced this season. Having struggled against dual-threat quarterbacks like Maryland’s Taulia Tagovailoa earlier in the season, Harbaugh and Michigan’s defense understand that their success will be determined by their ability to eliminate one of Milroe’s key components.
Because, while the Wolverines may have arrived in Southern California on horse-drawn carriages with confetti raining down, how they leave may depend on their ability to contain Milroe.
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