Michigan, Alabama excited for ‘historic’ Rose Bowl Game – Orange County Register

PASADENA — When Michigan sophomore defensive lineman Mason Graham enrolled early at Michigan after graduating from Servite High in Anaheim two years ago, he was not sure he would ever get the opportunity to play in the Rose Bowl Game.

“I didn’t know, but I hoped that I would be able to play in this game,” said Graham, one of the defensive leaders for the Wolverines. “It means a lot to people from here. The most historic bowl game so it’s an honor to be here.”

Graham said the team’s CFP preparation for the past month has been different compared to last season, which ended with a 51-45 loss to TCU.

“With more time, you have to just be smarter about what you’re doing,” Graham said. “We changed the way we practiced from last year, a little less banging and clanging on each other and more focusing in, a walkthrough practice, then we will have a full-speed practice. Just kind of switching it up, keeping everyone fresh while still getting that work in.”

The Wolverines (13-0) will face Alabama (12-1) in their third consecutive College Football Playoff semifinal appearance, following a disappointing 2-4 season in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. That season has given Michigan senior defensive back Mike Sainristil a unique perspective on how far the program has come in three seasons.

“To be a part of the No. 1 defense, we know that we have a good challenge, a great challenge on our hands,” Sainristil said when asked about matching up against Alabama. “A great opportunity so I can’t wait, it’s going to be a very fun game come Monday.”

The last time Michigan won a national championship was in the 1997 season when the 12-0 team capped their title run with a 21-16 win against Washington State in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1, 1998. What’s more, the Wolverines haven’t played in the Rose Bowl since playing USC in 2007, back when it was the Big Ten’s best against the Pac-10’s best.

With the current alignment of the College Football Playoff, Michigan junior quarterback J.J. McCarthy and senior running back Blake Corum never thought they would play in a Rose Bowl Game.

“I did not to be honest with you just because with the College Football Playoff, I never thought it would be at the Rose Bowl,” said McCarthy, who has been staying up late preparing for the big game. “I’ve always just had this feeling that we were going to be playing for a championship every single year, but I didn’t expect it to be here. It’s a tremendous blessing, a tremendous opportunity.”

Added Corum: “I never really thought about it until it actually happened and when I knew we were going to the College Football Playoff, I wanted to play in the Rose Bowl. That’s the game that everyone dreams of.

“The Rose Bowl itself is a great game, but the Rose Bowl and College Football Playoff? That’s like a whole other level so I’m excited to play in the Rose Bowl, especially against a great team like Alabama, coached by a great coach. It’s something you dream of.”

Alabama embraces ‘historic’ event

Alabama senior receiver Jermaine Burton is originally from Atlanta, but halfway through high school, he moved and later graduated from Calabasas High in 2020, to prepare himself for moments like Monday’s Rose Bowl Game.

“It’s something that you grew up watching, seeing if you were a sports guy,” Burton said. “Honestly, you never really think that you will play in games like this, you’ll never think that you’ll be the guy playing, just to have the opportunity is a blessing.”

The 6-foot senior, who is averaging 22.2 yards per catch, has 35 receptions for a team-high 777 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. Burton said it is important for him to be ready to make a play, whenever the ball is thrown his way.

“You have to make the best of any ball that comes towards you,” Burton said. “You have to make big-time plays. You always have to be willing to go get the ball when it’s in the air. It can’t be a 50/50 ball.”

Alabama head coach Nick Saban raved about Burton.

“We knew he had big-play ability,” Saban said. “I think you always need to have guys like that at the receiver positions and he’s certainly done an outstanding job in terms of not just explosive plays but playing his position, top to bottom.”

Meanwhile, Saban said there are two ways to look at playing in the historic Rose Bowl Game.

“I think everybody respects the tradition of the Rose Bowl, but at the same time, they also need to focus on what they need to do to try to play well in the Rose Bowl, which it’s all about playing against the team we have to play against,” Saban said.