ANN ARBOR, Michigan:You would never know that Michigan football, the top-ranked team in the country, is currently the betting favorite (-1.5 on BetMGM), based on the conversation surrounding the Rose Bowl.
Given the Crimson Tide’s record under Nick Saban, it makes sense that most people would look at Alabama and assume it will win and play in the national championship game. Similarly, Michigan’s postseason record hasn’t exactly been great under Jim Harbaugh. However, the players are feeling that way because the best team in the nation is typically regarded as the favorite, and the Wolverines aren’t receiving that kind of support.
Running back Blake Corum of Michigan talked about how unsettling the reaction to the upcoming College Football Playoff semifinal has been last week. Many have predicted the maize and blue to lose in the Rose Bowl, even as they take the top spot for the first time in the CFP era. The Wolverines are using that as motivation for their big game on Monday.
Indeed, they flipped it right away. I feel like they flipped it right away when they announced we would be playing Alabama, which is okay, Corum said. “It’s all people’s thoughts and opinions, but we’re approaching it as a top dog, as I mentioned before. We will approach it as if we are the best team in the country.
“The Alabama team is excellent. They have excellent coaching after watching film, and the defense plays with great abandon. Thus, it will undoubtedly be a challenge for which we are thrilled. We enjoy a decent challenge. However, that’s still our strategy and we won’t change.
Even though that may be the story, before Michigan traveled to Los Angeles, another story took shape in Schembechler Hall.
There seems to be a whole different vibe about the program as the team gets ready to take on the Crimson Tide. The other players can sense it as well as Corum, but he is unable to pinpoint it exactly.
He can only express his admiration for the team’s preparation and belief that it is in a prime position to permanently alter the narrative.
I’ve been attempting to consider what the distinct vibe might be. You sense it, though I’m not sure what it is,” Corum remarked. You can sense that everyone is simply buying in. We’re flying around, from watching movies to practicing to just having fun. We’re playing with amazing execution and precision right now. We’ll be prepared.
But winning is the only thing that can alter that story. If Michigan loses, even by one point on a freak play, it will face the same kind of criticism as it has faced the previous two years. It will also intensify the scandals that have dogged the show for the previous twelve months. But triumphant? Only winning a national championship will completely quiet the skeptics. But these players understand that a victory over Alabama would significantly alter the tone of the national coverage.
And they enjoy it.
