Michigan and Alabama are lower than two weeks away from enjoying within the Rose Bowl, which is able to act as the location for one of many two Faculty Soccer Playoff semifinal video games on Jan. 1.
Michigan, ranked No. 1, has a troublesome matchup on its fingers with No. 4 Alabama. Sure, the Wolverines are undefeated and the Crimson Tide are available with one loss, however Alabama is arguably the most popular workforce within the nation and you may by no means rely out Nick Saban — particularly with quarterback Jalen Milroe.
Milroe is understood for his athleticism and skill to make huge performs along with his ft (he rushed 140 instances for 468 yards and 12 touchdowns this season), however Michigan defensive coordinator Jesse Minter appears to be extra anxious about how the redshirt sophomore quarterback can beat his unit via the air.
“He’s a very good quarterback. He throws the ball higher than I believe most individuals give him credit score for,” Minter advised the media on Tuesday, based on On3. “He’s made quite a lot of huge performs on deep balls this 12 months and he’s actually able to making that second play, which is loads instances probably the most harmful as a protection to — you cease the play otherwise you cowl the deep route, all people’s deep and of their zones after which he has the flexibility to take off.”
To Minter’s level, Milroe threw for two,718 yards and 23 touchdowns this season with simply six interceptions. He averaged 10.4 yards per throw with a 65.5 completion proportion. He additionally had an extended of 79 and several other big-time receivers to select from within the Rose Bowl. Most notable is senior Jermaine Burton, who caught 35 passes for 777 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 22.2 yards per catch.
Whether or not attempting to cease him on the bottom or via the air, Minter appears to know his No. 1-ranked scoring protection may have its fingers full towards Milroe and Alabama.
“We’ve gotta play actually disciplined, actually collectively, actually as one in quite a lot of our issues that we’re attempting to do. And we stay up for the good problem that he’s,” Minter mentioned.