5 things we learned from Rose Bowl win by Michigan football

The offensive line answered the bell

Don't get it twisted, Michigan football won this game in the trenches. The playmakers had the opportuniy to do what they did because the big boys up front dominated.

J.J. McCarthy wasn't sacked or pressured once. That's incredible. Trente Jones erased Dallas Turner, a dude that's going to be a first-round pick. Jones has always stepped up when his number has been called and this guy's NFL future has to be on the uptick.

It wasn't just Jones though. Karsen Barnhart had an incredible block on the game-winning touchdown and when the game was on the line, their execution was flawless. There weren't any pre-snap penalties or bad snaps (outside of PAT) like Alabama.

Much of the talk leading up to the Rose Bowl was centered on how Michigan football was going to struggle to run the ball or protect against Alabama. As it turned out, the Wolverines rushed for 130 yards and also picked up a huge fourth-and-one in the first half.

Jim Harbaugh said this game was going to come down to winning in the trenches and Michigan football won that battle, thanks to a great night from the offensive line.