Urban Meyer breaks down final play for Alabama in Rose Bowl vs. Michigan

Alabama came up just short in the Rose Bowl against Michigan, falling 27-20 in overtime.

There were several twists and turns along the way, but ultimately, the game came down to one final play.

Alabama was facing a fourth down from the Michigan 3 and needed to reach the end zone to extend the game. Instead, Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe was stopped before getting close to the goal line, sending the Wolverines to the national title game.

FOX analyst Urban Meyer recently joined On3’s Tim May to discuss what he saw on the final play of the Rose Bowl.

“I went back and watched it. It was actually a Q RPO, I believe,” Urban Meyer said. “I didn’t talk to the Alabama staff, but a Q RPO is a Q run, with a pass option. And I think the Wolverines played zero coverage, which means that there’s going to an be extra hat somewhere.”

Michigan rushed six on the play and played man on Alabama’s pass catchers, including running back Roydell Williams, who went out in motion. Alabama only had five offensive linemen blocking, allowing Michigan to send an unblocked rusher at Milroe.

According to Meyer, Milroe made the wrong read on the play. However, to be fair to Milroe, the low snap could have impacted his plan.

“They ran a swing route with the tailback. The receivers are blocking. I think his read — [Michigan was] plus one, because they were in zero coverage. It’s going to be zero down there,” Meyer said. “And so I think he should’ve thrown the ball to the swing route. Once again, I don’t know that exactly. There was a guy covering him coming from the inside out, but there would’ve been space.”

It’s tough to say if Williams would have reached the end zone if the pass would have been thrown, but Milroe didn’t get close to the end zone with the way the play unfolded.

Instead, Alabama’s season came to a sudden and disappointing end, two yards short of the goal line.

“There was no space [to run]. I went and watched it. There was nowhere to run,” Meyer said. “You were down two bodies in there. So there was no place to run.”

He added that being put in that situation is difficult for a coach and player. There is so much pressure knowing that everything you have worked for all year comes down to one play.

“It’s a surreal moment,” Meyer said. “You’ve worked your entire life for that, and your job as a coach is above all the health and safety of the players and to put them in a position to win and be successful.”