Nick Saban explains Alabama's protection issues in first half of Rose Bowl loss

Alabama fell to Michigan in the Rose Bowl to see its season end one step short of competing for a national title. Protection issues were a major problem in the game.

Quarterback Jalen Milroe was sacked five times in the first half and six times in total.

“It was a combination of several things,” coach Nick Saban said. “I thought we did a better job in the second half, but we didn’t give Jalen an opportunity to make some plays, nor our receivers make some plays down the field, which was a big part of this game.”

Alabama connected on only one pass longer than 13 yards, while Michigan hooked up on gains of 27, 29 and 38 in the contest. The Wolverines certainly had the edge there.

There were more than a few problems with the Alabama offensive line, including a handful of questionable snaps that proved problematic.

But there were also other times where the Crimson Tide simply couldn’t block everyone the Wolverines sent. Michigan was aggressive in pressuring Milroe and it mostly paid off, with Alabama unable to adjust effectively.

And the protection issues came from a handful of different things, according to Saban.

“Well not one particular thing. There was a couple times when we could have redirected the protection, which we kind of put on the O-line to a large degree,” Saban said. “And we didn’t do it. A couple times the shot clock was running down and we didn’t get a chance to do it, and a couple times we didn’t fan and misexecuted up front in terms of getting the right guys blocked when we were in the right protection.”

The loss will certainly be a disappointment for Alabama, but it’s been a season with plenty of swings and many highs and lows.

From the unthinkable ending against Auburn to the hard-fought defeat at the hands of Michigan, Saban came away incredibly impressed with his team, protection issues aside.

“One thing that I told them in the locker room after the game, this is one of the most amazing seasons in Alabama football history in terms of where this team came from, what they were able to accomplish and what they were able to do winning the SEC championship,” Saban said after the game. “Really, really proud of this group.”