Blake Corum on Rose Bowl expectations: 'For me, it's natty or bust'
The Michigan Wolverines had several key players return for the 2023 season to compete for and win a national title. With a 13-0 record, the program positioned itself for that to be a reality with the next step coming in the form of a Rose Bowl against the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Senior running back and captain Blake Corum was the biggest piece to the puzzle that returned. He also proclaimed earlier this year that this was a “national title or bust” campaign. He will not move off that stance, either.
“I stand on that,” Corum said on Thursday. “For me, it’s natty or bust, and we’re that close. We have to find a way to get over that hump, and I think we will. I think we have the recipe.
“Now, it’s just about being where our feet are these next couple of days until we leave for Cali. And when we get to Cali, still be where our feet are until January 1, and make sure we’re just precise. We can’t make any mistakes.”
Even with Michigan heading into the playoff as the No. 1 team and favorite to win it all, Alabama’s pedigree has a lot of people tabbing them as the team to beat. Corum and the Wolverines have internalized that and used it as motivation.
“Yeah, [the perception] flipped from the jump,” Corum said. “As soon as they announced we’d be playing Alabama, I feel like they flipped it,” Corum said. “Which is fine. It’s all people’s opinions and what they think. We’re going into it as the top dog. We are the No. 1 team in the nation, and we’re gonna treat it as such.
“Alabama is a great team. After watching film, they’re coached really well. Defense flies around, so it’s definitely gonna be a challenge that we’re super excited for. We love a good challenge, but we’re still the top dog, and that’s how we’re going in.”
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The Michigan back also said that the vibe feels different this time around in the building during bowl prep. The emphasis has been on mental work and targeted aggression instead of long, physical practices.
“I don’t understand what it is, but you feel it,” Corum said. “You feel everyone just buying in from watching film to the practices and the way we’re just having fun, the way we’re flying around, the execution, the precision that we’re playing with right now. It’s amazing. We’ll be ready.”
“Our execution is still top-notch and still precise. Every detail matters. I would say that’s a different approach, just mentally. I feel like more guys are buying into the film, given this much time ahead of the game. When we go in the game, making sure we know everything that they could do.”
Michigan and Alabama’s matchup in the Rose Bowl is set for Jan. 1 at 5 p.m. ET from Pasadena, California with the Wolverines set as a 1.5-point favorite.
