Michigan Football: 3 takeaways from another validating win over Alabama

Michigan's defense controlled the narrative for how the day would go on the first series for the Crimson Tide. Derrick Moore sacked Jalen Milroe on fourth down and the offense drove the ball into field goal range to crack the scoreboard first.

On Alabama's next offensive play, Milroe fumbled the snap in a torrential downpour and Moore recovered the ball already inside the red zone. The takeaway resulted in another three from Michigan football kicker Dominic Zvada. Then the turnover bug hit the Tide again. This time it was Wesley Walker, who tipped it to himself. Davis Warren found paydirt on third down as he lofted it up to Frederick Moore for six.

Alabama's next possession lasted just one play again with yet a third consecutive turnover. Cameron Brandt fell on the pigskin at the six yard line leading to Zvada's third field goal of the first half. Alabama had more turnovers in the first 11 minutes then they did yardage.

Kalen DeBoer's offense finally settled in before the half. Milroe threw a dart to a wide-open Robbie Ouzts to cut out the shutout. After a Hudson Hollenbeck punt was downed inside the five, Michigan called a timeout on third and one, but Milroe ripped off a 41-yard gash. The timeout backfired on coach Moore as they got in range for three as halftime closed in.

Warren got injured in the third period and never returned. Michigan's offense went backward until Jordan Marshall found some creases to kick Zvada's fourth conversion of the afternoon. Graham Nicholson booted a 51-yarder of his own to get within six. The Tide got one final chance, but Michigan's defense pressured Milroe on fourth and 10 to seize the ReliaQuest bowl victory.

Here are three of the takeaways from the second win by Michigan football over Alabama in a calendar year.

1. Michigan's defense sacked Jalen Milroe 11 times in 2024

From January 1st to December 31st, the Michigan footbal defense has absolutely abused Jalen Milroe. Braiden McGregor and Derrick Moore each put Milroe on his back twice in both wins. Alabama's vaunted offensive line couldn't even control the line of scrimmage against most of Michigan's backups.

The last play of the game for Alabama was the same result as it was on January 1st. Michigan's penetration was the deciding factor that kept Milroe under 200 yards of offense in both games. Five star Ryan Williams didn't even eclipse 10 total yards, wrap your head around that stat.

To their credit Wink Martindale and his defenders completely made two of the most sought after freshman receivers obsolete without Will Johnson. That's unheard of.

Michigan's longest play of the day was for 24 yards by Jordan Marshall. Alabama had a couple of gains over 40 yards, but their leading rusher was Rico Scott, which came on one snap. The Tide could have used Justice Haynes on Tuesday.

2. Jordan Marshall was plausible as the lead back

As unpretty as it was at times, Marshall still crossed the century mark and was named the game MVP. He grinded it out for every yard on Tuesday without the Ohio State game MVP (Kalel Mullings) and their home run threat (Donovan Edwards). Ben Hall wasn't as effective, but picked up a critical first down on Michigan's fourth quarter drive to grab the two possession lead.

When Davis Warren went down people from everywhere were clamoring for Jadyn Davis on social media, but to no avail. Alex Orji threw three passes that were all complete, but one went to Alabama. After that, Steve Casula called all run plays, and Michigan's offense held on for dear life.

Mercifully Michigan's abysmal offense will never look that bad again, at least we think that. On the other hand, they still won without anyone throwing for over 100 yards against USC, Ohio State and Alabama. As perplexing as that sounds, Chip Lindsey can't be any worse and the season will still be considered a success in the jury's eyes.

3. 8-5 is not the standard, but never felt so riveting

It all started with a precarious win over Fresno State. Next, the stage was set for Texas, but the quarterback dilemma was just the beginning of chaos. Then USC happened and the course of the season changed instantaneously. Directly following that, Michigan football collapsed and looked like they would be home for the holidays without an answer at the sport's most important position.

They got back to basics and wiped away Michigan State, but then something altered the season in the second half of the Indiana game. Michigan's defense found its form and was minutes away from a top-10 stunner. They rallied together and came out of the bye week a brand new team. Maybe it was the flip of Bryce Underwood that drastically modified the outlook of the program.

A week later they pulled off the season's most insurmountable upset in Columbus. Michigan won its Super Bowl. Fast forward to Tuesday and Michigan football etched its second top-15 win in a row over a playoff contender. It doesn't trump the National Championship season, but the feeling and momentum of this offseason is unprecedented again.