The Rose Bowl game in 2024 between the Michigan Wolverines and Alabama Crimson Tide will be remembered as one of the greatest College Football Playoff semifinals ever.
There were many swings in the game’s momentum, and when it came down to a contentious last play, supporters began to doubt the famed Bama coach Nick Saban.However, Saban claims that there was one aspect of the contest that was disregarded and may have been the decisive factor between the two teams.”We’re in no-huddle, which is one of the things that was a big difference in this game that nobody ever talks about and it’s a very simple thing,” Saban stated on the Pat McAfee Show on Thursday. “And when you play a no-huddle team and you’re not moving quickly enough—which we weren’t—their signal caller is essentially calling plays to protect the alignment and formation that you’re in.”They were the only squad we faced all season long that convened for a meeting. Every team used to be in a huddle. We are now engaged in our inaugural season game against a squad that is huddled together. Football has altered significantly since you no longer have the advantage of seeing those formations until they emerge from the huddle. As a result, you must make decisions.
Two years ago, he joined ESPN’s ManningCast for a Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles game. When he made that presentation, he questioned why people would ever gather.
After huddling, Philadelphia came out and scored a touchdown right away on the following play.Evidently, something evolved at that time.
Even Saban might not think huddling is the wisest course of action. However, it’s evident that he thought Michigan had a slight edge by doing so. And that tiny edge may have been the difference between winning and losing in an inch-by-inch contest.
