The Michigan Wolverines will take on the Alabama Crimson Tide in the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day as they advance to their third consecutive College Football Playoff. The Wolverines will be busy because they are still chasing their first College Football Playoff victory.

Although the Wolverines are ranked first and are a slight favorite, the Crimson Tide have the advantage of history. We present five reasons why the Wolverines will win this game, despite the fact that many people are picking the Crimson Tide.

1. This year, the Wolverines have already encountered a great deal of hardship.

This year’s experiences faced by the Wolverines were unmatched by any other team in the nation. Yes, a lot of it was their own fault, but no other college could have managed to go undefeated despite having their head coach suspended for half the season, having all of their opponents call them cheaters, and missing multiple games with one of their best defenders.

This season, the Wolverines have hardly faltered; they have faced every obstacle head-on and overcome it all thus far. Michigan won’t back down this year, unlike previous seasons when it might have.

2. Background

Since the Crimson Tide have won three titles in the CFP era, they should have the advantage in experience for this game. But this year, that isn’t the case. Alabama’s many contributors have never been in this situation, and they were not able to make the playoffs the previous year.

Since being benched at the start of the season, Jalen Milroe, the starting quarterback for the first year, has performed admirably, leading the Crimson Tide to an SEC championship victory over Georgia. Nonetheless, J.J. McCarthy is well aware of the brighter lights in the CFP due to his previous season’s difficulties in the Fiesta Bowl.

Getting through all of that gives the Wolverines a significant advantage that no one is discussing. The Wolverines are the more seasoned squad and are eager for a third chance, even though the Crimson Tide may have the name on their chest.

3. Supporting roles

With two of the best shutdown corners in college football and perhaps the best secondary, the Wolverines are formidable opponents. The most formidable duo the Crimson Tide will encounter this season is Will Johnson and Mike Sainristil, who have been excellent for Michigan this year. They can shut down receivers, so Michigan can continue to snoop on Milroe.

With a 65.5 percent completion rate this season, Milroe is a dangerous player. However, he also just finished a 13-for-23 performance against Georgia. We’re not saying he can’t pass the ball; rather, the Wolverines have the secondary to shut him down. There will be a difference from Michigan’s defense, particularly in the secondary.