Michigan faced its first close contest on a significant stage after dominating opponents with victories of 24 points or more until Week 11. The questions surrounding how the Wolverines would handle a tight game were emphatically answered.
Trailing 20-13 late in the fourth quarter, Michigan, amidst a series of underwhelming drives, seized the opportunity to make a statement. J.J. McCarthy orchestrated an impressive 75-yard drive, culminating in a game-tying touchdown. The drive's momentum was kickstarted by a well-executed fourth-and-2 play call and sealed with two crucial plays from Roman Wilson.
Although Michigan's defense swiftly stopped the subsequent drive, offering a chance to win in regulation, a mishandled punt left the Wolverines inches from the goal line, extinguishing hopes of avoiding overtime.
Despite special teams blunders plaguing Michigan throughout the night, Jim Harbaugh's team maintained high spirits. In overtime, Blake Corum powered his way into the end zone within two plays, and the defense, a season-long powerhouse, secured one of the program's most significant stops by preventing Jalen Milroe from reaching the end zone on fourth-and-goal minutes later.
While Alabama was content to reach the College Football Playoff after a sluggish start, Nick Saban will ponder how a game they controlled late into the fourth quarter slipped away so rapidly.
Michigan, on the other hand, secured its first playoff victory and will contend for a national championship against either Washington or Texas in Houston next Monday. In a season often overshadowed by scandal and suspensions, Harbaugh and the Wolverines now have the chance to etch their names into the history books. The Sporting News provided live updates and highlights from the College Football Playoff semifinals between Alabama and Michigan. Explore all the key moments from the Wolverines' triumphant win.
