Alex Orji’s simulating Alabama QB Jalen Milroe during Rose Bowl prep
NCAA Football: Colorado State at Michigan
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
When the No. 1 Michigan Wolverines (13-0) face the No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide (12-1) in the Rose Bowl the Wolverines will be facing the most dynamic quarterback they’ve seen this season.
Alabama’s Jalen Milroe Milroe completed 65 percent of his passes this season for 2,718 yards and 23 touchdowns with six interceptions. Milroe can beat teams with his arm, but what makes him special is his running prowess. Milroe runs with strength and has incredibly quick acceleration. Milroe had 468 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground this year. Milroe’s dynamic capabilities earned him Heisman votes, finishing No. 6 in voting overall.
“He’s playing at an elite level,” Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh said earlier this month. “You can see the improvement throughout the season. Really seems like he hit an inflection point there right before the halfway mark.”
To prepare for a skill set at QB the Michigan defense hasn’t seen this season, they’re utilizing Michigan quarterback Alex Orji. Orji’s simulating Milroe in practice. Michigan defensive coordinator Jesse Minter told the media that Orji’s “done a great job” and tight end Colston Loveland said he’s done a “damn good job.”
Orji stands 6-foot-3, 236 pounds while Milroe is 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds. Orji, like Milroe, has great athleticism and is dangerous running the ball. The sophomore Orji has three career rushing touchdowns and had a huge 20-yard run in Michigan’s 30-24 win over Ohio State in November.
“It definitely gives a lot of conditioning for us,” Michigan defensive lineman Kris Jenkins said on Monday. “He’s a quick boy. He moves. We think he’s definitely giving us a good look, getting us prepped and ready to turn on the burners when we play Jan. 1.”
While Orji’s giving Michigan a good look, it’s hard to simulate what Milroe’s able to do in a live game situation. Milroe will present a challenge no matter the amount of preparation the Wolverines put in.
Per DraftKings Sportsbook, Michigan’s currently a narrow 1.5-point favorite over Alabama.
Odds/lines subject to change. T&Cs apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for details.
