The only thing the Michigan Wolverines had to worry about Sunday morning after a Big Ten championship was who awaited them in the College Football Playoff. At 13-0 with a resume filled with solid wins (over Ohio State, Penn State and Iowa, among others), there was no doubt they’d make the four-team field with a national title on the line.
But the players, staffers and associates gathered to watch ESPN’s selection show still wound up surprised, if their reaction to their Rose Bowl opponent is any indication. The broadcast flashed the logo of the 12-1 Alabama Crimson Tide, leading to a a chorus of gasps and groans before a wave of acceptance washed over the maize-and-blue crowd.
Michigan reacts to Alabama being selected at No. 4. Wolverines and Crimson Tide in the CFP semi. pic.twitter.com/V2mrgLQA3W
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) December 3, 2023
Alabama made the field over 13-0 ACC champion Florida State and ahead of fellow 12-1 SEC contender Georgia, leading to a morning filled with complaints and debates. And the players in attendance in Ann Arbor weren’t the only ones surprised, excited or annoyed to see Nick Saban on their road map to a national championship.
Because FSU would have been a free pass to the championship
— Tom (@thomah79) December 3, 2023
That’s a room full of scared people
— HawkeyeFan (@Radio_Hawkeye) December 3, 2023
“We want Bama” said no one there.
— Michael Wilt (@michaelpwilt) December 3, 2023
a live look at michigan when they found out they got bama 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/d1wxkoIdH2
— Roland Bishop (@_peanutlive) December 3, 2023
Michigan sounds and acts like they don’t want that smoke! 💨 pic.twitter.com/9xJR0LsZWW
— Danny 🇺🇸🐘🔴⚪️ (@BamaCardsPack) December 3, 2023
The game is already won. pic.twitter.com/kGeIef2LDc
— Sidelines – Bama (@SSN_Alabama) December 3, 2023
Bama already won the mental game
Michigan losing. pic.twitter.com/RSpZPzIKdX
— Mikey O’ver (@MikeyOver1) December 3, 2023
They wanted FSU so bad, but they got Bama instead 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/IUBAS6f9Bo
— Waaaay Offsides Cotton 🏆🐘🏈⚽️🏀🥎🤸♀️🏆 (@AlafrigginBama) December 3, 2023
Back in the Rose Bowl with Bama! Bring it on! 🌹 pic.twitter.com/JWlANlz5ph
— JD 〽️ (@MGoJDBlue) December 3, 2023
“Bama one of the 4 best teams” took a 4th and 31 to beat Auburn.
— TaReef KnockOut (@TaReefKnockOut) December 3, 2023
#Michigan is #RoseBowlBound to take on #Bama. #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/wrfrYUYx0i
— Sam Webb (@SamWebb77) December 3, 2023
Michigan finds out Bama is semifinal opponent in Rose Bowl pic.twitter.com/5ObqJMPisy
— angelique (@chengelis) December 3, 2023
😂 😂 😂 Look at the disappointment Michigan had that they get Bama instead of FSU. pic.twitter.com/mMN2bMjdat
— Landry Locker (@LandryLocker) December 3, 2023
Michigan seeing that they have to play Bama instead of the easy matchup they thought they’d get with FSU pic.twitter.com/4e8IruDgJ2
— Alli Pinter (@allipinter) December 3, 2023
This doesn’t look like a Michigan team that wants the smoke. Bama by 2 tuddies. https://t.co/92DUvqT5MK
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) December 3, 2023
