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If you would have said on the eve of the 2019 college football season that Michigan would be playing Alabama in the bowl game, you would have thought that meant that the Wolverines finally reached the higher echelon, making it into the College Football Playoffs. Given that many predicted for that to happen, it wouldn’t have been out of line.
However, funny things happen in college football. Ohio State didn’t take a step back as anticipated. Road games at Wisconsin and Penn State proved to be more daunting than first envisioned, as the Michigan offense took some time to find its footing.
Meanwhile, Alabama stumbled against a high-powered LSU team before losing on the road to Auburn while playing its backup quarterback Mac Jones, with starter Tua Tagovailoa out for the season.
Thus, the two teams will meet on Jan. 1 in Orlando for the VRBO Citrus Bowl, and Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh had a lot to say about the Crimson Tide on Sunday when talking about his experience playing in the bowl game previously, while looking forward to the daunting challenge that Alabama presents.
“We played in the Citrus Bowl back in 2015, that season against a very good Florida team,” Harbaugh said. “The Alabama team is a great team. I have the utmost respect for them. They’ve set the bar for college football over the last many years. They’re a model of success. Credit to Nick Saban and his coaches.
“High-powered offense, a great defense. I’ve already started to look at them. They’re really, really great on offense. I think they’re averaging somewhere around 40 points a game. Their two offensive tackles could be guys that could be Top 20 picks in the draft. Three, overall — a lot of good receivers. This could be the best group of receivers we’ve seen in –maybe ever. Three top picks, probably three first-round picks in that group. Two really talented running backs. Very impressed with (quarterback)Mac Jones.
“Defense (and) the other thing, the special teams is dynamic. Punt return, kick return, those two especially. We’ll need to have a great plan in regards to all three phases of the game. Excited for the opportunity!”
We don’t know as of yet if Alabama will be short-handed or not — nor Michigan, for that matter.
While both Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban and Harbaugh both said they’d have individual conversations with the players about sitting out the bowl game or playing, Saban did offer that he hopes his team will be at full strength, noting: “I think that this is an opportunity for us to get to reestablish the standard we want to play to. I think when you play against a great opponent, it certainly enhances that opportunity.”
For Harbaugh, he continued praising Alabama, further noting just how successful of a program it’s been over the course of the last decade.
“The team, as I said, this is the model of success, football program,” Harbaugh said. “2014-15-16-18 — all playoff. The team, as you look at it, is a great defensive unit. They have some really, really outstanding players and a great freshman group, too. The freshmen linebackers and the defensive line. Experienced secondary. Just a fabulous team. Very, very elite team.
“As I said, credit to Nick Saban and the coaching staff. Our preparation will have to be at its highest level. We’re looking forward to (it). Good to know who you’re gonna play and to get started and preparing for the ball game. It’s a big time matchup, we’re very much looking forward to it.”
There will be one familiar name to Michigan fans in this matchup: Alabama running back Najee Harris.
Both teams recruited him heavily, and it was widely believed, despite his commitment to play in Tuscaloosa, that he was leaning towards signing with Michigan.
However, when it came time to report, he boarded the plane to Birmingham instead of Detroit — and the rest is history.
Speaking of him individually, Harbaugh had nothing but nice things to say, noting what’s made Harris so good while playing for the Crimson Tide.
“He’s been really, really effective,” Harbaugh said. “Big powerful back with outstanding balance. I’ve always admired his feet and his balance and his vision and the physicality with which he runs.”
The two teams will square off on Jan. 1 at 1PM EST at Camping World Stadium in Orlando. The game will be nationally televised on ABC.
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