ANAHEIM, California: Jim Harbaugh, the head coach of the Michigan football team, and his top-ranked Wolverines
arrived in Southern California early on Wednesday afternoon. Experienced the pomp and circumstance that
precedes the Rose Bowl, Harbaugh and his players were taken to Disneyland on horse-drawn carriages, showered
with confetti, and escorted through the park by two marching bands and a parade.
But the pomp was over and it was all business a half hour later in a crammed lobby crowded with reporters. And as
Harbaugh and a few of his most important defensive players began to talk about what they had been preparing for
over the course of their month-long Crimson Tide preparation, one name kept coming up: Alabama quarterback
Jalen Milroe.
Graduating cornerback Mike Sainristil stated, “Milroe’s ability to extend plays is what keeps (the Crimson Tide’s)
offense going.” “He has a really talented arm that is also very strong.”
Milroe has demonstrated his arm talent—which Sainristil mentioned—during the season. Milroe started the passing
game after overcoming early setbacks to win a fiercely contested quarterback battle in late September. Less than a
month ago, Milroe placed sixth in the Heisman vote and led Alabama to a late comeback that allowed them to sneak
into the College Football Playoff (CFP) with 23 touchdown passes and just six picks.
But Milroe’s rise to that position wasn’t solely due to his arm prowess. Instead, his ability to create something with
his legs out of nothing was a big part of what made him such a menace later in the season. Actually, Harbaugh used
words that his own team was familiar with to characterize Milroe’s athleticism.
Harbaugh described the sophomore quarterback for the Wolverines, who is renowned for his stature and athleticism,
as “like a real polished Alex Orji.” Knowing the physical skill set, the playmaking ability, or just the playmaking talent
itself, you can see the amount of labor and the evolution of the project. That (Milroe) truly impressed me.
As Harbaugh pointed out, Milroe has a history of creating plays on the ground. With 468 rushing yards and 12
rushing touchdowns, which is tied for second most among quarterbacks, Milroe’s ability to scramble is a key
component of his effectiveness. And Michigan’s defensive strategy has focused a lot of emphasis on making sure he
can’t do so for that exact reason.
Senior defensive lineman Kris Jenkins stated, “The biggest thing when you handle a quarterback that scrambles is
trying to contain him.” You have to play off him if he steps out. You need to go get him as soon as he escapes. The
most important thing, though, is that you must contain him in order to accomplish that.
In order to limit Milroe, Jenkins and the defensive line must first weather Alabama’s formidable offensive line, which
is made up of three players weighing more than 350 pounds. But more than just strength is needed to accomplish
this. Coordination is needed for it.
According to Jenkins, “pass rushing as a unit, as a single, is really the biggest thing.” “.. As long as we work together,
which is something we’ve been practicing all season, we believe that opportunities will present themselves.
But part of the Wolverines’ strategy against Milroe has been realizing that, despite their best efforts to control him,
he will occasionally overcome them. Sainristil conceded as much while outlining the defense’s overarching objective
of keeping Milroe on the ground.
Sainristil predicted that “he’s going to be able to (create extra plays with his feet) at some point in the game.” You are
unable to totally halt someone during the game. however, play tight, sticky coverage on their receivers, contain him,
keep him in the pocket, and force him to make accurate throws down the field.
Although the offensive of the Crimson Tide “runs” via Milroe, it does so in an inconsistent way. In addition to having
one of the strongest, most accurate arms the Wolverines have seen this season, Milroe is also one of the fastest
quarterbacks. After having trouble early in the season against dual threat quarterbacks like Taulia Tagovailoa of
Maryland, Harbaugh and Michigan’s defense understand that their success will depend on their ability to stop one of
Because while the Wolverines may have arrived in Southern California in confetti-filled horse-drawn carriages, their
fate may depend on their ability to contain Milroe.
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