Joel Klatt credits Michigan's defensive line for leading Wolverines to Rose Bowl victory

Michigan did a lot of things right in order to knock off Alabama in the Rose Bowl and advance to the national championship. As Joel Klatt, among others, saw it, though, the day belonged to the Wolverines’ defensive line.

Klatt gave the defensive linemen for Michigan a ton of credit during his show following the playoff semifinals. When it comes to great teams and special champions, defensive line is often a separating factor. That’s why he was as impressed as he was in all the ways that the Wolverines got after the Crimson Tide in Pasadena.

“College football, this time of year, is always about defensive line play. It rings true again,” said Klatt. “Think about this – Michigan’s defensive line had 10 tackles for loss and six sacks. Thoroughly dominated Alabama, not even close. I know I didn’t watch the broadcast but I was there and the line of scrimmage was not even close. The Michigan defense took it to Alabama at the line of scrimmage.”

“Now, Alabama created some things, namely with quarterback run with Jalen Milroe, which we talked about being an issue for the Michigan defense. But that was never going to be sustainable long-term because they couldn’t throw it because they couldn’t protect. Not even close,” Klatt explained. “They couldn’t handle the blitzing and the structure of blitzing that Jesse Minter, the defensive coordinator for Michigan, was bringing. They couldn’t handle the stunts from the defensive line, they couldn’t handle the overall rush. Again, there might not be a singular great pass rusher for Michigan but, as a collective, they’re as good of a pass rush as there is in college football.”

In total, Michigan finished with six sacks, including five just in the first half, and 10 tackles for loss. That led to under 300 yards for the Tide offense as they took the efficiency and flow out of their pass attack and run game, especially since they mostly neutralized Milroe.

Their play in the trenches is what was the separator for Michigan in order to win over Alabama and make the national title. It also proved again that the Wolverines are capable of winning it all because of that unit in particular.

“The defense, and the defensive line in particular? They negated all the other things that were happening,” said Klatt. “Normally? You don’t beat Alabama unless you play clean and you’ve got great quarterback play. But, normally, you don’t dominate Alabama at the line of scrimmage like Michigan did today.”

“When you’re talking about disruptive plays, drive-killing plays? Michigan was gaining them, Alabama wasn’t on the defensive side. That’s a kudos to that defensive line,” Klatt said. “Think about it. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to just sit back and think, ‘Oh, okay, so who’s actually won the national championship the last few years? Who has actually been a great team the last few years?’ Well, the teams with the best defensive lines! It rings true every season and, in this season, the best defensive line in the country happens to be Michigan. They’re the deepest and they’re the best.”