The Michigan Wolverines are headed to the National Championship game.
The 2024 Rose Bowl game was an instant classic. Two of the true historic schools in College Football history squared off in Pasadena with the right to make their way to the National Championship game…and it was Michigan who finally broke through and earned their first College Football Playoff victory.
The first quarter saw a defensive battle between the two longtime powerhouse schools, and a Michigan muffed punt seemingly opened the door for Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide, however, it was Jim Harbaugh’s Wolverines heading into the break with the slight 13-10 edge.
The second-half was controlled by Alabama, helped by the Tide’s Offensive Coordinator, Tommy Rees unleashing dual threat QB, Jalen Milroe’s legs. That’s until JJ McCarthy led the drive of his career when the Wolverines drove 75 yards to tie the game at 20 with just 1:34 remaining. Milroe and the Tide quickly stalled out and left 58-seconds for McCarthy and co. to attempt a game winning drive. However, the ensuing punt was fumbled, but luckily recovered by the Wolverines at just their own half yard-line, avoiding a safety and absolute disastrous ending sequence.
Michigan would kneel out the final seconds of regulation before Blake Corum needed just two carries to find pay dirt on the opening drive of overtime. Following a successful extra point from struggling Michigan Kicker, James Turner, Milroe and the Tide would get their chance to send the game to a second extra frame, but on a fourth-and-goal from Michigan’s three-yard line, Milroe would be stuffed at the line of scrimmage and that was all she wrote…Jim Harbaugh and Michigan have FINALLY won their first College Football Playoff game and the Wolverines will play for their first (unanimous) National Championship since 1947 (Michigan split a national title with Nebraska in 1997).
