National Rankings: No. 1 Michigan vs. No. 4 Alabama
This year's College Football Playoff features some of the most anticipated matchups in recent history. Unlike previous years, a strong argument can be made that each of the four participants has a legitimate shot at winning the national championship this year.
Although there is certainly plenty of intrigue in the Sugar Bowl matchup between No. 2 Washington and No. 3 Texas, the Rose Bowl matchup between No. 1 Michigan and No. 4 Alabama is unquestionably the headliner in this year's playoff.
It's Saban vs. Harbaugh. The Wolverines vs. the Crimson Tide. Two college football blue blood programs with two of the top coaches in the sport, squaring off in one of college football's most storied venues for a shot at playing for the national championship. It's what college football is all about.
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Heading into the matchup, it certainly appears that history favors the Crimson Tide. In fact, Alabama's eight appearances in the CFP are more than any other program in the country. Alabama also features the best playoff record at 9-4, and the Crimson Tide have captured more national championships (3) than any other program in the CFP era.
Put simply, this is familiar territory for Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide.
For the Wolverines, the playoff history looks very different. Although this will be Michigan's third consecutive appearance in the CFP, the Wolverines are currently 0-2 in their previous playoff appearances - including losses to Georgia (2021) and TCU (2022). It's also been nearly 30 years since the Wolverines last captured a national championship (1997).
Although the Wolverines have enjoyed an incredible turnaround over the last three seasons under head coach Jim Harbaugh, the postseason record of 1-6 remains a point of concern. In fact, Harbaugh's only bowl game win occurred back in 2015 (his first season with Michigan) against Florida in the Citrus Bowl. Since that win, Harbaugh has suffered six straight losses in postseason play:
- 2015 Citrus Bowl vs. Florida - W
- 2016 Orange Bowl vs. Florida State - L
- 2017 Outback Bowl vs. South Carolina - L
- 2018 Peach Bowl vs. Florida - L
- 2019 Citrus Bowl vs. Alabama - L
- 2021 Orange Bowl vs. Georgia - L
- 2022 Fiesta Bowl vs. TCU - L
- 2023 Rose Bowl vs Alabama - ?
In order for Michigan to get over the hump and take the next step as a program, the Wolverines will need to get through a dangerous Alabama team led by a head coach who's made a habit of playing for national championships in the playoff era.
Here's a quick look at how No. 1 Michigan stacks up nationally against No. 4 Alabama in several key areas.
Michigan vs. Alabama (national rankings):
Scoring Offense
- Michigan: No. 14 (36.7)
- Alabama: No. 18 (35.1)
Total Offense
- Michigan: No. 66 (380.5)
- Alabama: No. 53 (401.2)
Passing Offense
- Michigan: No. 73 (218.8)
- Alabama: No. 60 (228.5)
Rushing Offense
- Michigan: No. 59 (161.8)
- Alabama: No. 48 (172.7)
Scoring Defense
- Michigan: No. 1 (9.46)
- Alabama: No. 17 (18.38)
Total Defense
- Michigan: No. 2 (239.2)
- Alabama: No. 18 (313.3)
Passing Defense
- Michigan: No. 2 (152.6)
- Alabama: No. 23 (188.8)
Rushing Defense
- Michigan: No. 5 (86.6)
- Alabama: No. 30 (124.5)
Noteworthy
- Alabama ranks No. 114 in the nation in sacks allowed (3.31 per game), while Michigan ranks No. 29 (1.38 per game).
- Alabama ranks No. 12 in team sacks (2.92 per game), while Michigan ranks No. 35 (2.54 per game)
