After so much College Football Playoff heartbreak the past two years, Michigan broke through Monday night in much the same fashion as the Wolverines have won all season in what’s now a 14-0 spree. They were physical, resilient and clutch when they needed to be on offense, rallying in the fourth quarter to beat Alabama 27-20 in overtime in the Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential.
Michigan now gets a shot to play for its first national championship since the Wolverines split the title with Nebraska in 1997. But it took a drive for the ages to do it, as Michigan awoke from an offensive slumber in the second half to put together a game-tying, 75-yard touchdown drive with 1:38 left in regulation. Once in overtime, the Wolverines needed just two plays to score a touchdown with Blake Corum rambling into the end zone from the 17-yard line.
Michigan dominated the line of scrimmage in the first half but led only 13-10 at the half. The Wolverines weathered special teams gaffes and an offense that went scoreless on its first four drives of the second half and failed to capitalize after Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe fumbled early in the fourth quarter. But just when it looked like Michigan might be on the way to its third straight playoff loss, the Wolverines put together two of their best offensive possessions of the season to advance to the national championship game next Monday in Houston.
MVP: Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy never flinched in the fourth quarter or overtime in leading the Wolverines back from a 20-13 deficit after they weren’t doing much of anything on offense in the second half. He finished yards and three touchdowns. — Chris Low
