Breaking down Michigan's 'Beat Alabama' drill in practice

If Michigan loses in the Rose Bowl, it won’t be from a lack of preparation. Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh implemented a new practice segment this season called the “Beat Georgia Drill.”

While Georgia didn’t reach the College Football Playoff to square off against Michigan, Alabama did. Michigan’s preparation will translate well to Georgia’s fellow SEC powerhouse. On Thursday, On3’s Andy Staples and the Wolverine’s Clayton Sayfie pulled back the curtain on Michigan’s detailed preparation for the monstrous matchup.

“The Michigan players got into detail on the ‘Beat Georgia Drill,'” Staples said. “It’s the Beat Ohio [State] Drill. It’s the Beat ‘Bama Drill, I guess they’re calling it now. But, it’s basically the inside-run drill they do and it’s taken on these mythical proportions.

“It was fun to hear them talk about it because, as somebody who’s been through some of those inside seven-on-seven drills, that is the nastiest portion of any football practice.”

Michigan’s defense has shown off its nastiness on more than one occasion this season. The Wolverines boast the second-best defense in the country, allowing just 239.7 yards per game this season.

The team is particularly effective at stopping the rush. Michigan’s opponents are only averaging 87.1 yards per game on the ground. Safie believes the Wolverines will be able to translate its success onto college football’s biggest stage.

Will Michigan’s hard work pay dividends?

“The Beat Georgia Drill and now Beat Bama Drill is something very similar — loud music playing, those guys getting to go hard,” Sayfie said. “One of the things that Michigan may be challenged with in this game is more of the speed of Alabama.

“Obviously, Alabama’s got the size and the physicality they’ve got all that to match that maybe and then some against Michigan, but the speed is something that came up with a lot with a lot of these Michigan guys, too. They’re confident in their ability, but it’s definitely going to be something that plays a part in this game.”

Fans can expect war in the trenches. The Wolverines average 2.46 sacks per game, ranking No. 36 in the nation. Meanwhile, Alabama has allowed 3.31 sacks per game this season, the 16th-most in all of FBS. Of course, the Crimson Tide’s soft front hasn’t prevented them from rattling off 11-straight wins.

Fans won’t have to wait long to see if Michigan’s preparation pays off. The Wolverines will square off against Alabama at 5 p.m. ET on Jan. 1 in the Rose Bowl. The winner will advance to the national championship.