PARADISE VALLEY, Ariz. — Though he has another year coming with Michigan football, it’s been quite a journey for edge rusher Eyabi Okie as he somewhat bookends his college career.
When he was a freshman at Alabama, he had the chance as an SEC All-Freshman to play in the national championship game (though he did not participate the playoff semifinal) and get a ring. So, he’s been through it, he’s seen what it takes to win it all.
And this Michigan team is different than that Crimson Tide one — in a good way.
Okie told WolverinesWire on Thursday that the stage seemed bigger when he was at Alabama given its opponent. At the same time, he appreciates the Wolverines’ mentality more.
“It was a lot more hype while I played at Bama against Oklahoma,” Okie said. “There was Kyler Murray; there was a lot more hype on that. Right now, I feel very prepared for this opponent. When I was at Bama, not that we took the opponent lightly, but it was just like — they look at it like it’s another game. Right now we’re looking at they’re like this is our championship, so we can get to the bigger one. That’s the biggest difference.”
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Okie said this mentality that the coaches are instilling and that the players are following works, because they know the opportunity they have in front of them.
The Wolverines are one of four teams that have a chance to win a national championship this year. Because of that, they’re not thinking ahead. They’re thinking solely about TCU. Because if the maize and blue don’t handle the Horned Frogs, the opportunity is lost.
Thus, the focus is on TCU and nothing beyond that, and Okie says the team relishes the moment.
“I think it’s very important because without us winning this game, bro, there’s no next game,” Okie said. “We’ve got to get in there and handle our business and be able to compete for like a natty and actually get onto that stage. Coaches keep reiterating that this is a life moment. Not a lot of people get a chance to get a natty. Think about how many people are in the transfer portal right now, how many people are playing college football. A lot of people aren’t in this position. It’s your team in this position. It’s different.”
Michigan football and TCU are set to kick off the College Football Playoff semifinal in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 31 at 4 p.m. EST.
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