In Pasadena, California, the Michigan football team achieved a victory decades in the making on Monday evening. They staged a comeback in the fourth quarter, ultimately defeating No. 4 Alabama in overtime with a score of 27-20, securing their spot in the national championship. The Rose Bowl showdown was a true classic, featuring numerous twists and turns for both teams along with remarkable plays that left spectators in awe.
To assess the Wolverines’ performance in this notable win, we analyze various aspects in our postgame evaluations. This includes an examination of Michigan’s passing offense, rushing offense, pass defense, run defense, special teams, and an overall grade.
Passing offense: A
Despite a shaky start with JJ McCarthy narrowly avoiding an interception on his initial possession, the Michigan football team’s passing performance turned out to be unexpectedly impressive. McCarthy himself might acknowledge that Monday’s game was not his finest hour. However, facing a formidable Alabama pass defense, the Wolverines showcased versatility in their approach.
In the end, Michigan achieved the highest team passer efficiency rating (168.4) allowed by Alabama throughout the season, even against notable opponents like Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels, Texas, and Georgia.
Several factors contributed to this success. Notably, Michigan’s offensive line proved resilient, allowing only one sack, and that occurred when Alex Orji rolled out and ran out of bounds for a loss. This is noteworthy given that Alabama entered the bowl season ranked 11th nationally in sacks per game.
While the offensive line faced pressure (10 pressure snaps on McCarthy’s 27 drop-backs, according to Pro Football Focus), the combination of effective line play, Michigan’s strategic approach, and McCarthy’s composure allowed the Wolverines to complete a pass on each pressure snap. McCarthy, in particular, completed 6 of 10 such passes for 106 yards and a touchdown.
In the realm of receiving, Michigan adopted an early emphasis on targeting tight ends and running backs, distributing pass attempts among eight different players in their initial 14 tries.
Overall, six different Michigan players recorded multiple receptions, with Tyler Morris making a notable impact by navigating the sideline for a 38-yard touchdown in the second quarter, his first career score.
Acknowledging the formidable cornerbacks and edge rushers of Alabama, the Wolverines strategically opted for a significant number of shorter passes, with 19 attempts being less than 10 yards downfield and only one attempt surpassing 19 yards downfield.
Despite the conservative approach, Michigan capitalized on the short game, amassing 130 yards after the catch, marking their second-highest total of the season, following the 150 yards against Michigan State. The Wolverines achieved a season-high 7.6 yards after the catch per reception, showcasing the effectiveness of their short-passing strategy.
Despite McCarthy exhibiting somewhat diminished accuracy and touch compared to much of the season, his performance featured memorable moments that will likely be discussed for years. Notable instances include a one-handed catch turned double-pass loft to Roman Wilson while bracing for impact, feeding Tyler Morris on a crossing route with dirt smeared on his face mask just a few plays later, and a crucial fourth-down completion to Blake Corum for 35 yards in what could be considered a fourth-and-game situation. Additionally, a pass brilliantly caught by Roman Wilson after being tipped at the line added to the legendary nature of McCarthy’s day. Remarkably, McCarthy completed three touchdown passes, and Michigan averaged 8.2 yards per pass attempt, a commendable feat against a team of Alabama’s caliber that you would gladly accept any day of the week. McCarthy’s overall collegiate starting record of 26-1 further adds to the legendary narrative of his quarterback performance.
