The clash of football titans on January 1st was nothing less than a spectacle to behold. The tug of war between scores was a constant in the Rose Bowl game, where the Michigan Wolverines took on the Alabama Crimson Tide. The game delivered everything it promised, but ultimately, only one team could lift the Leishman Trophy. And Jalen Milroe and Alabama fell just short in their quest, ending the night with a feeling of what could’ve been.

So close, yet so far. That was the story of the Crimson Tide’s game. In the fourth quarter, Alabama was in the lead with 20 points, with the Wolverines trailing by 7 points, desperately looking for a way to get into overtime. And they did! While overtime was a blessing in disguise for Michigan as they clinched the Rose Bowl game 27-20, Jalen Milroe would’ve been thinking about a pivotal moment in the second quarter, one that left his coach looking disappointed.

Jalen Milroe missed a pivotal pass!

The two teams traversed into the third quarter after Jim Harbaugh & Co. took a much-anticipated 13-10 lead. However, it looked like the game would be heading into halftime tied on points or possibly with Alabama in the lead. But the Wolverines’ defensive line didn’t let up, applying extra pressure on Nick Saban’s squad. As much as Michigan’s efforts played a role in finishing the second quarter with the upper hand, Jalen Milroe’s unfortunate missed catch acted as a catalyst.

In the second quarter, Milroe missed a crucial swing pass to the Tide center, Jam Miller, and the team managed to get all of three points in that quarter. While each catch and throw in the game was just as decisive as every other, this particular missed catch was the breaking moment for the Crimson Tide. When the camera panned to show Nick Saban’s reaction, all that his face portrayed was disappointment.

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Had the catch turned in favor of Alabama, it could’ve very well given the Tide the momentum to take into the second half of the game. And who knows? Maybe their quest for a 19th National Championship would’ve still been alive. In the same quarter, Milroe was sacked on back-to-back plays, resulting in a 13-yard loss and a subsequent three-and-out.

Although Saban may have looked disappointed when Milroe missed that pass in the second quarter, he took accountability for the loss. In the post-game press conference, Saban said, “We’re all very disappointed, and the players are disappointed, as well. I just wish that I could have done more as a coach to help them be successful and help them finish. All we can do now is learn from the lessons that sometimes failings bring to us.” 

While the crimson side of the Rose Bowl was dejected, the blue side was absolutely ecstatic, especially after waiting for this win since 2015.

Watch This Story | Coach Jim Harbaugh Sets The Record Straight On Michigan’s Sign-Stealing Incident 

Michigan’s playoff win took eight years in the making

Jim Harbaugh’s reign in Michigan has been a revolution in itself! While the team came off a major sign-stealing dispute with the Big Ten in November, this win was a milestone in their path to redemption, as Harbaugh broke the record he had been waiting for since 2015. After the game, the Michigan HC couldn’t help but appreciate his team’s resilience.

As reported by the Associated Press, Harbaugh said, “If ever a game was going to be won up front, it was going to be won with toughness and physicality. Our guys were just there in rhythm and got it done. Epic game. Epic game. The stick-togetherness. There’s just nothing that can separate these guys.”

Harbaugh joined the Wolverines in 2015, the season they secured their most recent Bowl win. Hence, this win is even more special in each Blue fan’s heart. Now that they lifted the Leishman Trophy, the Michigan Wolverines are set to face the Washington Huskies in the National Championship game on Monday night. Who do you think will come out on top?

Nick Saban Bullies Jim Harbaugh’s Michigan with Last-Moment Timeout