Jim Harbaugh gives early preview of Rose Bowl vs. Alabama

Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh spoke with national media after his Wolverines earned the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff. U-M will face fourth-seeded Alabama in the Rose Bowl.

JIM HARBAUGH: We are thrilled to be playing in the CFP [semi]final at the Rose Bowl Game. Thank you.

Q. Coach, I’m not sure if you’ve had a chance to look at the journey that Alabama has had so far, but with the quarterback Jalen Milroe, what can you say about him overcoming adversity and the way he’s playing right now, especially down the stretch?

JIM HARBAUGH: Yeah, he’s playing at an elite level, and you can see the improvement throughout the season. Just really seems like he hit an inflection point there right before the halfway mark. Got also a special set of athletic skills.

But as far as like timing, decision-making, accuracy, he’s playing really well within the system. They’ve designed some great stuff for him

We have a similar quarterback, so we just have noticed the level he’s playing at. He’s elite.

Q. Speaking of Milroe, the connection he’s had with Isaiah Bond, what have you seen from afar of the connection those two have had recently and what you guys will have to defend?

JIM HARBAUGH: Yeah, you’re right, I can’t talk too much to that connection. Just really what I’ve seen in some of the games that I’ve watched. Yeah, he hate to talk too much into it and pretend like I know something I really don’t. Just really been able to look through the keyhole, but it really looks good.

As I said, the precision in the passing game has been noticeable. The improvement to where it’s at now is at an elite level.

Q. A lot of us saw the reaction of the team when they saw that they were playing Alabama. What can you tell us about who you thought you would be playing and what it is about Alabama that maybe your players aren’t so excited to face?

JIM HARBAUGH: No, we’re excited to face them. It’s iconic. It’s Alabama. It’s Roll Tide. It doesn’t get any better, to be playing in the Rose Bowl, also the – just going to appreciate the tradition of the Rose Bowl, playing a great team like Alabama. I mean, it always has meaning.