Nick Saban believes Alabama did not go fast enough on offense in Rose Bowl

Michigan and Alabama‘s Rose Bowl matchup in the College Football Playoff Semifinal did not disappoint, as the close contest ended with the Wolverines coming out on top in a 27-20 overtime win over the Crimson Tide.

Big-time, competitive postseason games are always highlighted by a handful of big plays or moments that are magnified based on the outcome. But on the ‘Pat McAfee Show’ following the Rose Bowl, Alabama head coach Nick Saban revealed an underrated element of Monday’s game that he believes had a major impact on the outcome.

“One of the things that was a big difference in this game, which nobody ever talks about, it’s a very simple thing. We’re in no-huddle,” Saban said. “And when you play a no-huddle team, and you’re not going fast, which we didn’t go fast enough, then their signal-caller is basically making calls to defend the formation and the alignment that you’re in.”

A no-huddle offense is effective when run at a fast tempo, keeping defenses on their toes, giving defenders less time to prepare for the next play, and forcing defensive coordinators to make quick decisions.

But when not run quickly, defensive coordinators can make the best possible call for their defense after properly assessing the offense’s personnel, formation, and alignment which could have been a part of the problem for Alabama’s offense.

At the same time, Michigan’s offense does not use the no-huddle, which Alabama’s defense was not accustomed to facing this season.

“They’re the only team that we played all season that got to huddle. So, you know, it used to be every team was in a huddle. So, we play our first game of the season where we’re playing against a team that’s in a huddle, so you don’t have the advantage of seeing those formations until they come out of the huddle,” Saban explained.

“So you got to make calls and you know that’s changed a lot in football. The simple concept of, ‘Do you huddle or go no-huddle?’ But it does affect the game in a way that most people wouldn’t even imagine.”

In a game as closely contested as the Rose Bowl, the small details matter, and it sounds like Michigan’s advantage on offense and defense regarding huddling versus not favored the Wolverines. Allowing their coaching staff to give their players a pre-snap advantage that set them up for success as they punched a ticket to the national championship.