A swarm to Jalen Milroe on 4th-and-goal from the 3-yard line sealed the deal.
No. 1 Michigan will play for a national championship for the first time since before the BCS era after beating No. 4 Alabama in overtime, 27-20, in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Rose Bowl.
JALEN MILROE IS STOPPED ON 4TH DOWN
— ESPN (@espn) January 2, 2024
THE WOLVERINES ARE HEADED TO THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP #CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/X2x3tPzwqr
Michigan running back Blake Corum rushed for 83 yards on 19 carries and a touchdown while J.J. McCarthy added three touchdowns through the air. Michigan's defense held Alabama to just 288 total yards with a meager 116 passing, but Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe and running back Jase McClellan did combine for 150 yards on the ground.
The Wolverines' last national title was a shared one with Nebraska in 1997.
The Crimson Tide entered the fourth quarter trailing 13-10 and struggling on offense with a meager 96 total yards. They came out and got their ground game going with Milroe, whose feet and arm helped lead the team downfield for a 55-yard touchdown drive to put Alabama ahead 17-13.
That lead was extended with a booming 52-yard field goal from Will Reichard, his second make of the game from at least 50 yards. Alabama had a massive special teams advantage overall, as Michigan botched a snap on an extra point, missed a 49-yard field goal and muffed two punts, one of which was recovered by the Tide.
But Michigan answered with an eight-play, 75-yard touchdown drive that featured a conversion on 4th-and-2 and a spectacular 29-yard grab from wide receiver Roman Wilson, who finished the drive with a 4-yard touchdown catch to tie the game at 20 with 1:34 to play.
Both teams had the ball one more time in regulation but neither managed to score.
Corum rumbled 25 yards in two carries on Michigan's overtime possession, breaking the Wolverines' career rushing touchdown record with his 56th career score.
The Tide reached a goal-to-go situation on their overtime chance but ultimately failed to respond. A bad snap – something common for Alabama on Monday – hurt Milroe's chances on the aforementioned fourth-down play.
Michigan will meet the winner of Monday night’s second semifinal between Texas and Washington in the CFP title game on Jan. 8 at 7:30 p.m. ESPN will broadcast the contest.
