ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE NOTES:
INSIDE THE SERIES
Overall: Sixth meeting (Alabama leads, 3-2)
In Bowl Games: Alabama tied, 2-2
Current Streak: Alabama, Won 2
Last Meeting: Jan. 1, 2020 – Orlando (W, 35-16)
Series Notes: Alabama and Michigan will meet for just the sixth time in the history of the two storied programs. The Crimson Tide owns a 3-2 all-time advantage overall with the teams tied at 2-2 in bowl matchups. The Tide and Wolverines last met in the Citrus Bowl on New Year’s Day 2020, with UA claiming a 35-16 victory. Alabama head coach Nick Saban is 4-3 all-time against UM, including a 2-0 mark with the Crimson Tide. Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh is 0-1 against Alabama with the lone contest coming in that Citrus Bowl pairing.
ALABAMA WINS 30th SEC CHAMPIONSHIP:
Alabama captured its league-high 30th Southeastern Conference crown with a 27-24 win over then-No. 1/1/1 Georgia in the 2023 SEC Championship Game on Dec. 2. The Crimson Tide has won eight of the last 12 league crowns (2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2023) and is unbeaten in its last nine SEC Championship Game appearances (2009, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2023).
PERFECT IN CONFERENCE PLAY ONCE AGAIN:
Alabama finished the 2023 regular season at a perfect 8-0 in Southeastern Conference play to mark the sixth perfect conference finish under head coach Nick Saban. The Crimson Tide also went 8-0 in 2008, 2009, 2016 and 2018 and finished 2020 at 10-0 against league foes.
THE 12-WIN CLUB:
With its 27-24 win over then-No. 1/1/1 Georgia in the 2023 Southeastern Conference Championship Game on Dec. 2, Alabama reached the 12-win mark for the 12th time in the last 16 seasons under head coach Nick Saban. The Crimson Tide reached the 12-win plateau in 2008 (12), 2009 (14), 2011 (12), 2012 (13), 2014 (12), 2015 (14), 2016 (14), 2017 (13), 2018 (14), 2020 (13), 2021 (13) and 2023. Across those 12 seasons with 12-or-more wins, Alabama has won nine SEC titles and six national championships, including three College Football Playoff national titles in 2015, 2017 and 2020.
TIDE REACHES 11 WINS FOR THE 27TH TIME:
With the 27-24 win at Auburn on Nov. 25 to close out the 2023 regular season, Alabama secured its 11th victory of the year, marking the 27th time in program history that the Tide has achieved the feat. Under head coach Nick Saban, Alabama has had 15 11-win seasons (2008-09, 2011- 23). It is the 13th straight season with at least 11 wins, which is the longest streak of its kind in SEC history. The SEC has had three streaks of three seasons with at least 11 victories, including Alabama from 1973-75, LSU from 2005-07 and South Carolina from 2011-13.
ALABAMA EXTENDS NCAA RECORD FOR 10-WIN SEASONS:
The 66-10 win over Chattanooga on Nov. 18 was Alabama’s 10th of the 2023 campaign. The victory over the Mocs secured the Tide’s 16th consecutive 10-win season, adding to Alabama’s NCAA record for the most 10-win seasons in a row. The previous record was 14 straight 10-win campaigns by Florida State and head coach Bobby Bowden from 1987-2000. In the 15 previous 10-plus win seasons, the Crimson Tide finished with a 12-2 record in 2008 and 2014; 14-0 in 2009; 10-3 in 2010; 12-1 in 2011; 13-1 in 2012 and 2017; 11-2 in 2013, 2019 and 2022; 14-1 in 2015, 2016 and 2018; and 13-0 in 2020.
SEC WESTERN DIVISION TITLE:
Alabama’s 49-21 win at Kentucky on Nov. 11 clinched the program’s 18th SEC Western Division title (15th outright). The Crimson Tide represented the Western Division against SEC Eastern Division champion Georgia in the SEC Championship Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Dec. 2, downing the Bulldogs by a score of 27-24. The appearance in ATL marked Alabama’s 15th in the SEC Championship with the Crimson Tide holding a record of 11-4 across that stretch, including a 9-1 record in the SEC Championship game under head coach Nick Saban.
ALABAMA IN THE ROSE BOWL:
Alabama has been a part of seven total Rose Bowl matchups, holding a 5-1-1 mark in those games. The Crimson Tide has played six of those contests in Pasadena with the seventh occurring in Arlington, Texas, at AT&T Stadium on Jan. 1, 2021 as part of the College Football Playoff Semifinal. Texas played host to the Rose Bowl in 2021 due to a global pandemic.
GOING BACK TO CALI:
The Crimson Tide’s appearance in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1, 2024, will be the program’s 12th game played in the state of California. Alabama holds an 8-2-1 (.773) record in The Golden State, including a 1-1 mark under head coach Nick Saban. The Tide first downed then-No. 2 Texas, 37-21, in the BCS National Championship Game on Jan. 7, 2010, before falling to then-No. 2 Clemson, 16-44, on Jan. 7, 2019, in the College Football Playoff National Championship. The matchup with the Longhorns was in Pasadena while the pairing with the Tigers occurred in Santa Clara.
NEUTRAL SITES:
Alabama is 99-51-4 (.656) all-time in 154 neutral site contests. The list includes all Alabama/Auburn games not played on campus, including Legion Field from 1948-88. Under head coach Nick Saban, the Crimson Tide is 31-7 (.816) in neutral site games.
ALABAMA vs. THE BIG TEN:
The Crimson Tide is 28-13 (.683) all-time against the current member teams of the Big Ten Conference, including a 3-2 mark against Michigan. Alabama owns a winning record against eight of the 10 total Big Ten teams that the Tide has matched up with, with a 1-1 record against Wisconsin and an 0-1 mark against Minnesota. The Tide’s most frequent opponent is Penn State, with UA owning a 10-5 (.667) advantage in 15 contests with the Nittany Lions. Alabama has never faced Indiana, Iowa, Northwestern, or Purdue in its history.
THE TIDE’S WINNING WAYS:
Alabama enters the postseason as one of four teams in the country with at least six wins against opponents that hold a winning record and one of five programs with eight wins against bowl eligible opponents. The Crimson Tide is also one of two teams with four wins against the final regular season Associated Press Top 25 and College Football Playoff Rankings.
ALABAMA vs. No. 1:
Alabama owns the NCAA record for the most wins all-time against the Associated Press Poll’s No. 1 team since the poll was introduced in 1936. The Crimson Tide has compiled 11 wins against the AP’s top-ranked team in program history, most recently against then-No. 1 Georgia in the 2023 Southeastern Conference Championship Game. Eight of those 11 wins have come during the Nick Saban era with the first being Alabama’s victory over defending national champion Florida in the 2009 SEC Championship Game to send the Crimson Tide to the BCS National Championship Game against Texas. Three of the next four occurred in national title games, including LSU (2011), Notre Dame (2012) and Clemson (2015). The sixth win during the Saban era came when UA defeated top-ranked Mississippi State at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Nov. 15, 2014.
AGAINST THE TOP 10:
Alabama owns an 85-79-1 (.518) all-time record against teams ranked in the top-10 of the Associated Press Poll. Since the start of the 2008 season, the Crimson Tide has posted a 36-13 (.735) overall record against top-10 teams, including a 21-7 (.750) mark versus the top 10 since the inception of the College Football Playoff. In Saban’s six national championship seasons at Alabama, his teams have gone 18-2 (.900) against top-10 opponents.
BEATING THE BEST:
The Crimson Tide is 80-21 (.792) against the Associated Press Top 25 since the start of 2008. That record includes a 4-1 record in 2023 with wins against then-No. 15 Ole Miss on Sept. 23, then-No. 17 Tennessee on Oct. 21, then-No. 13 LSU on Nov. 4 and most recently against then-No. 1 Georgia in the SEC Championship Game on Dec. 2.
SABAN LEADS IN WINS vs. TOP-FIVE TEAMS:
Alabama’s 27-24 win over then-No. 1 Georgia in the 2023 SEC Championship Game on Dec. 2 was Nick Saban’s 30th career victory against a team ranked in the top five of the Associated Press Top 25 Poll, the most in college football history. Saban’s 30-15 career record in top-five contests gives him a .667 winning percentage, which is also college football’s best. Following Saban on the all-time victory list are Bobby Bowden (18/.378 winning percentage), Barry Switzer (15/.516), Woody Hayes (15/.516), Steve Spurrier (15/.429) and Lou Holtz (15/.419).
SABAN vs. AP TOP 25 OPPOSITION:
The Crimson Tide’s 27-24 win over then-No. 1 Georgia in the SEC Championship Game on Dec. 2 was Nick Saban’s 104th career win, and 82nd at Alabama, against the Associated Press Top 25. Saban moved past Joe Paterno (86) for the most career wins against the AP Top 25 when he defeated then-No. 22 Auburn on Nov. 28, 2020. The late Florida State legend Bobby Bowden ranks third all-time (82), while Alabama’s Paul “Bear” Bryant is fourth (66). Former Duke, Florida and South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier is fifth (64). Saban’s winning percentage against AP ranked teams (104-47, .689) tops Bryant (.592), Bowden (.557), Spurrier (.529) and Paterno (.512).
DOMINATING THE AP TOP 25:
Alabama’s 45-20 win over then-No. 11 Kansas State in the Allstate Sugar Bowl to close out the 2022 campaign was head coach Nick Saban’s 23rd career win by 25-plus points against a ranked opponent. Saban is the all-time leader for the most wins by 25-plus points in the Associated Press Poll Era (since 1936), sitting just ahead of Bobby Bowden’s previous record of 20. Saban is also the NCAA record holder with 25 career wins of 20-plus points against AP top-15 opponents, including the win over the Wildcats. A total of 22 of Saban’s career 20-plus point wins against AP top-15 opponents have come while at UA
OFFENSIVE NOTES
FIRST-YEAR STARTERS UNDER SABAN:
With the exit of two-year starter and 2021 Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young, the Crimson Tide was tasked with finding a new starting quarterback in 2023 and Jalen Milroe answered the call. Under head coach Nick Saban, a total of nine quarterbacks have maintained their starting role for 10-plus games of a season in which they were named QB1 for the first time. The list of nine includes: Milroe (2023), Bryce Young (2021), Mac Jones (2020), Tua Tagovailoa (2018), Jalen Hurts (2016), Jake Coker (2015), Blake Sims (2014), AJ McCarron (2011) and Greg McElroy (2009). All but McCarron won an SEC Championship in their first season at quarterback while the upperclassmen (redshirt sophomore or above) won four national titles – Jones (redshirt junior), Coker (senior), McCarron (redshirt sophomore) and McElroy (junior).
SECOND CHANCE:
Jalen Milroe has responded in a big way the last 10 games since losing his starting job for the USF game. The redshirt sophomore has led Alabama to four top-25 wins, including an SEC Championship victory over top-ranked Georgia, and 10 straight victories overall. Since his return to the lineup, Milroe is averaging 226.9 passing yards per game (2,269 total) while completing 66.7 percent (144-216) of his passes and accounting for 28 total touchdowns (18 passing).
MILROE’S HEATING UP:
Quarterback Jalen Milroe has continued to improve as the 2023 campaign has gone on, playing some of his best football the last five games against then-No. 14/13/13 LSU on Nov. 4, at Kentucky a week later, against Chattanooga the following week, at Auburn on Nov. 25 and most recently against thenNo. 1/1/1 Georgia. In the last five games, Milroe is 72-of-108 (66.7 percent) passing for 1,101 yards and 10 scores through the air while adding 63 rushes for 326 yards and seven touchdowns. Against LSU, Milroe set the Alabama single-game record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback with four, a total that tied for the second-most rushing scores in a game in program history. He followed that up by accounting for six total touchdowns at Kentucky to become the only quarterback in Crimson Tide history to throw for three and rush for three in a single game.
MILROE vs. THE BEST:
Jalen Milroe has been at his best in the later part of the season, helping the Crimson Tide to four wins over Associated Press Top 25 teams including then-No. 15 Ole Miss, then-No. 17 Tennessee, then-No. 13 LSU and then-No. 1 Georgia. In those four contests, Milroe has completed 67.1 percent (59-88) of his passes for 856 yards while accounting for nine total touchdowns (five passing, four rushing). He has accumulated 1,071 total yards in those matchups.
THROWING THE BOMB:
In 12 starts this season, Jalen Milroe has completed 171-of-261 passes for 2,718 yards. Entering the bowls, Milroe is second in the SEC and ranks fifth nationally with a 15.89 yards per completion mark while averaging 10.41 yards per pass attempt, good for second in both the conference and Division I. Overall, the redshirt sophomore owns a 177.5 passing efficiency mark that is second among the league’s signal-callers and ranks him fourth in Division I.
HOME RUN HITTER:
Jalen Milroe enters the matchup against top-ranked Michigan with 23 passing touchdowns on the season. All but three of those scores have been from at least 15 yards out with eight scores from 40-plus yards, including a season-long 79-yarder against Arkansas on Oct. 14.
SCORING AFTER HALF:
Alabama’s offense has come out of the halftime break on fire this season. The Crimson Tide has totaled 120 of its 456 points (26.3 percent) in the third quarter of games, its second-highest point total in any quarter in 2023. The offensive output pairs with a Tide defense that has allowed just 51 points in the third quarter, its fewest in any quarter, and only 107 total points in the second half of games.
OFFENSE TRENDING UP:
Alabama’s offense has continued to improve as the season has gone along, playing its best football in the last six weeks. During the current stretch, the Crimson Tide has racked up 245 points to average 40.8 points per game. That six-week stretch includes top-25 wins over Tennessee, LSU and top-ranked Georgia along with road victories at Kentucky and at Auburn. The first seven games of the 2023 campaign saw the Tide average 30.1 points per game. If the 56-point performance against Middle Tennessee is removed, the offense averaged just 25.8 points per game to start the year.
400+ YARDS OF TOTAL OFFENSE:
Alabama has gained 400-plus yards of total offense in 66 of its last 82 games, dating back to the start of the 2018 season. The Crimson Tide has gone over the 400-yard marker six times in 2023, most recently at Auburn (451) on Nov. 25. In the 16 instances where the offense did not go over 400 yards, Alabama is 14-2.
400+ MORE RECENTLY:
The Crimson Tide offense has racked up 400-plus yards five times in the last seven games, including a stretch of four consecutive 400-plus performances across the final four weeks of the regular season. Alabama accumulated 507 yards against then-No. 14/13/13 LSU, 444 yards at Kentucky a week later, 574 against Chattanooga and 451 at Auburn on Nov. 25. Over those final four regular season games, the offense averaged 494 yards per contest.
40-OR-MORE SINCE 2018:
Alabama has scored 40-or-more points in 52 of the last 82 games. Fifty-two leads the nation for the most total games of 40-plus points since the start of the 2018 season. Ohio State has the second-most instances of scoring 40-or-more points over that stretch at 44, while Oklahoma is third with 39.
OPENING DRIVE TOUCHDOWNS:
The Crimson Tide has won 54 of its last 55 games when scoring a touchdown on the first offensive possession of the game. The most recent instance came on Nov. 25 at Auburn when Roydell Williams rushed into the end zone from two yards away to open the day’s scoring. Alabama’s lone loss when scoring a touchdown on the opening drive during that stretch came at Texas A&M on Oct. 9, 2021.
SCORING STREAK CONTINUES:
Alabama extended its school record for consecutive games with a score to 309 thanks to Will Reichard’s 43-yard field goal in the SEC Championship Game against then-No. 1/1/1 Georgia on Dec. 2. The Tide was last held off the scoreboard in a 9-0 loss to Auburn on Nov. 18, 2000. Alabama owns a 250-59 (.809) record over the course of the current streak.
BALL PROTECTION:
In the last 220 games (dating back to the start of the 2008 season), Alabama has turned the ball over only 232 times (124 fumbles, 108 interceptions) for an average of 1.06 turnovers per game. Since 2009, the Tide has turned the ball over only 214 times in 207 games (1.03/game). The 214 turnovers since 2009 includes 88 interceptions in 5,516 attempts (one interception every 62.7 attempts) by UA starting quarterbacks and 32 lost fumbles in 5,435 carries (one fumble lost every 169.8 carries) by the Tide’s top two running backs.
DEFENSIVE NOTES
TURNER OFF THE EDGE:
Through 13 games, Dallas Turner has accumulated 50 total tackles, including a team-high 13.5 for loss (-86 yards) and nine sacks (-66 yards). Turner’s nine sacks rank second in the SEC and ninth nationally while his 0.69 sacks per game average is good for third in the conference. He is also ranked in the top-10 in the league for TFLs.
BRAZ ON THE OTHER SIDE:
Chris Braswell has paired with Dallas Turner to make things difficult on opposing offenses. The senior linebacker has accumulated 41 total tackles, including 10.5 for loss (-61 yards), good for third on UA, to go with eight sacks (-57 yards), just one behind Turner. Entering postseason play, Braswell’s sack total is fifth in the SEC and tied for 11th nationally while his 0.62 sacks per game average is sixth in the conference. Additionally, the senior backer is ranked in the top-10 in the SEC for tackles for loss and is tied for the league-high total for forced fumbles with three.
OUTSIDE LBs WREACKING HAVOC:
Dallas Turner and Chris Braswell are playing the best football of their careers. In addition to Turner’s tackle for loss and sack totals, he is 14th in total pressures according to Pro Football Focus with 52. That number includes 10 sacks, 10 quarterback hits and 32 hurries entering the postseason. Turner has graded out at 11th nationally in pass-rush grade (88.8) and owns a PRP (combines sacks, hits, and hurries relative to how many times a player rushes the passer) of 11.7 that is fifth among all Division I defenders. In addition to his PFF marks, Alabama’s coaches have credited Turner with 46 pressures on the season. Braswell is slightly ahead of his counterpart in PRP, ranking third nationally at 12.2. He is also ranked 11th nationally in total pressures with 54 and sits at 13th in pass-rush grade (88.6).
BAMA CORNERS LOCKING IT DOWN:
Alabama cornerbacks Kool-Aid McKinstry and Terrion Arnold are two of the top-graded defensive backs according to Pro Football Focus. Among players who have been in coverage on 80 percent of their snaps entering bowl season, McKinstry has graded out at seventh nationally with Arnold slightly behind in ninth. Kool-Aid has been targeted just 37 times in 13 games, allowing 183 total receiving yards and ranks 12th in forced incompletions with 10. Arnold is sixth in Division I for forced incompletions (13) with a 52.5 NFL passer rating on his targets. The redshirt sophomore’s 12 pass breakups by PFF are third nationally while his five interceptions are the second-most in the country entering the postseason.
TOUGH TO THROW ON TERRION:
Redshirt sophomore Terrion Arnold has proven to be one of the nation’s top corners this season. Heading to the postseason, Arnold leads the Crimson Tide and is tied for the SEC lead for interceptions with five while averaging 0.4 picks per game to rank second among SEC defensive backs and tie for 15th nationally. He has also broken up a team-high 11 passes for 16 total passes defended on the season, ranking him atop the league list in that category and tying for third nationally. Arnold is averaging 1.2 defenses per game to rank second in the SEC and eighth in Division I prior to the start of the bowls.
TIDE SAFEIES SHOWING OUT:
Alabama safeties Caleb Downs, Malachi Moore and Jaylen Key are also among the highest rated defensive backs in the country. Downs ranks fourth nationally in coverage grade (88.9) with five forced incompletions, a forced fumble, one fumble recovery and two picks while leading UA with 99 tackles. Moore has added 49 stops with five tackles for loss and one interception. Jaylen Key has surrendered just a 62.6 NFL passer rating.
LIMITING THE POINTS:
Alabama’s defense has held its opponents to a combined 239 points on the season, 34 of which came against then-No. 11/10 Texas. Despite the matchup with the Longhorns, the Tide defense is averaging just 18.4 points allowed per game, a total that ranks 17th nationally and second in the SEC heading into bowl season.
ADJUSTING AT THE BREAK:
The Crimson Tide defense has allowed just 107 points in the second half of games this season, including 51 in the third quarter and 56 in the fourth. Teams are averaging just 8.2 points in the second half against UA, with the defense allowing a touchdown or less in eight of the 13 total contests. Below is a look at how teams have fared against Alabama coming out of the halftime break.
PICK PARADE:
Alabama has picked off at least one pass in nine contests this season and leads the SEC while tying for 22nd nationally with 12 total interceptions entering the bowls. For comparison, the Crimson Tide finished with seven total picks across 13 games a season ago.
NO FLY ZONE:
The Crimson Tide has made it difficult on opposing offenses in the passing game this season. Alabama enters the matchup with No. 1/1/1 Michigan allowing just 188.8 passing yards per game to rank third in the SEC and 23rd in Division at the start of bowl season. The Tide is also limiting its opponents to a 118.22 passing efficiency mark that is second in the conference and 17th headed into postseason play. The standout passing defense is a part of UA’s overall unit that is allowing just 313.3 yards per game following the SEC Championship to rank third in the league and 18th in Division I.
GETTING IN THE BACKFIELD:
The Tide defense has gotten in opponents’ backfields with regularity this season. Through 13 games, Alabama has accumulated 82.0 tackles for loss (-365 yards) and 38.0 sacks (-260 yards). The Tide is averaging 6.3 tackles for loss per game to rank 30th nationally and fifth in the SEC headed to the postseason to go along with a 2.92 sacks per game mark that is 12th in Division I and third in the league.
GETTING IN THE BACKFIELD – MORE RECENTLY:
In eight of the last 11 contests dating back to the USF matchup, Alabama’s defense has finished with at least 6.0 TFLs and 3.0 sacks-or-better. Below is a look at how the defense has fared since the Tampa trip.
KEEPING THE GROUND GAME IN-CHECK:
The Crimson Tide defense limited then No. 1/1/1 Georgia to only 78 yards rushing in the SEC Championship Game on Dec. 2. Alabama’s defensive unit has held 22 of its last 41 opponents (dating back to the 2021 season) to less than 100 yards rushing. UA has also limited 11 of the last 26 opponents to 80 yards or less dating back to the start of the 2022 campaign, including four times in 2023.
TURNOVERS, TURNOVERS, TURNOVERS:
Alabama has forced at least one turnover in 112 of the last 126 contests (dating back to the start of the 2015 season). During the current run, Alabama has forced 194 turnovers (125 interceptions, 69 fumbles) and returned 42 of those miscues for touchdowns.
SHUTOUTS SINCE 2007:
Since head coach Nick Saban arrived in 2007, Alabama has recorded 26 shutouts, including 12 in Southeastern Conference play. With its 34-0 win over Austin Peay on Nov. 19 last year, the Crimson Tide defense has 12 more shutouts than its nearest competitor over that span. Ranking second in shutouts during that time is Ohio State with 14.
10 POINTS OR LESS:
Alabama’s trademark has been its defense ever since head coach Nick Saban’s arrival on campus. Since that first season in Tuscaloosa, Saban-coached defenses have held the Crimson Tide’s opponents to 10 points or less on 106 occasions. Dating back to the start of the 2015 season, UA’s defense has limited the opposition to 10 or fewer points 50 times across 126 total contests.
SERIES NOTES
THE ALABAMA-MICHIGAN SERIES:
Alabama and Michigan will meet for just the sixth time in the history of the two storied programs. The Crimson Tide holds a 3-2 advantage all-time with the teams tied at 2-2 in bowl pairings.
SABAN vs. MICHIGAN:
Alabama head coach Nick Saban owns a 4-3 career record against Michigan, including a 2-0 mark during his time in Tuscaloosa. His first five matchups with the Wolverines came during his time at Michigan State, with the Spartans going 2-3 in those contests. Since arriving at Alabama, Saban has faced Michigan twice, coming away with a pair of three-plus score victories in each matchup.
MICHIGAN WOLVERINES NOTES:
No team release available.
