Mike Sainrsitil is one of the biggest playmakers in the Michigan secondary, and the Wolverines will lean on their captain again when they face Alabama in the Rose Bowl.
The Crimson Tide rank 19th nationally in scoring offense, but they have the ability to break a long one at any point in the game. Alabama is fourth in college football in passing plays of 40-plus yards, thanks in no small part to a dynamic QB in Jalen Milroe who can extend plays and receivers — particularly Jermaine Burton — who can threaten downfield.
They’ll run the same play in a variety of ways. They find various means to get there. They’ll find ways to fool you into thinking they’re in a balanced set formation, and then they’ll slow down the speed. Then they’ll have a player take a stride away from the ball while you’re gazing at your sideline. The ball is snapped the next thing you know. The ball is over your head before you know it. It’s as if they’re wondering, ‘Wait, what just happened?’ They do, however, have spectacular receivers and a really excellent quarterback who can throw the ball 70 yards in the air. Their receivers are excellent at following the ball down the field. As a result, it’s a fantastic opportunity for our defence.
We had excellent offences. We played Maryland, who had an excellent quarterback. Very adept at getting out of the pocket and creating plays, comparable to Milroe. We played Ohio State, who has a lot of talented receivers. The Biletnikoff was won by Marvin Harrison. So we’ve had instances that have obviously prepared us for a team like Alabama. Having the ability to take everything we’ve learned this year and simply bring it all together here coming into this game will be the best thing for our preparation.
