The 2024 Rose Bowl was an instant classic.
No. 1 Michigan stormed back late to tie No. 4 Alabama in the fourth quarter before winning the second overtime in Rose Bowl history by stopping the Crimson Tide on fourth-and-goal.
Michigan 27. Alabama 20. Wolverines to the national championship game.
The Rose Bowl isn’t just easy to rely on for iconic sunsets, gorgeous views and some of the best college football teams lining up on the famed grass. It also routinely provides some of the most memorable games in college sports history.
New Year’s Day in 2024 was another one of those events, with the two high-powered contenders trading off momentum-swinging plays from the very first snap.
Here are the 10 most chaotic moments as Michigan moves one win away from history.
1
Michigan gets picked off on the first play from scrimmage (but it's called back!)
CALEB DOWNS PICKS OFF JJ MCCARTHY ON THE FIRST PLAY OF THE GAME!! #ROLLTIDE pic.twitter.com/7AYe68On5y
— Video from: @TSV__1 (@TSV__1) January 1, 2024
This was so close to a nightmare start for Michigan (or dream start for Alabama), but the first snap of the game was immediately overturned after referees ruled Caleb Downs stepped out of bounds before intercepting J.J. McCarthy.
2
Michigan's (first) muffed punt
MUFFED PUNT. BAMA RECOVERS.
🎥 @espn pic.twitter.com/QNAsmxWg7h
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) January 1, 2024
This would become a terrifying theme for the Wolverines all game.
3
Trouble with the snap(s)!
bama’s center has a case of the knoblauchs pic.twitter.com/HmkK4DoaAL
— Brian Floyd (@BrianMFloyd) January 2, 2024
Michigan’s Achilles’ heel was special teams. Alabama’s was simply snapping the football. The issues that plagued the Crimson Tide offense all season long weren’t solved during the last month of prep for the Rose Bowl. If anything, they almost looked to have gotten worse.
4
Jalen Milroe's escape act
Jalen Milroe with a MASSIVE gain#PMSCFBRoseBowl pic.twitter.com/XTwjgWbOj0
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 2, 2024
Watching this replay it’s still baffling Milroe wasn’t sacked, let alone picked up the first down.
5
McCarthy fumbles a flea flicker
— wow that was crazy (@CowardlyDoggo) January 2, 2024
Turning the ball over at midfield early in the fourth quarter could’ve completely ended Michigan’s comeback attempt before it began.
6
Milroe fumbles at midfield
JALEN MILROE FUMBLES AND MICHIGAN RECOVERS 😳
📺: ESPN | #CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/ILLsa1W1mI
— ESPN (@espn) January 2, 2024
See, we told you how disastrous fumbling at midfield can be.
7
Roman Wilson sets up a touchdown after a tipped pass
WHAT A CATCH AND WHAT A PLAY
"This is THE drive for JJ McCarthy" @TimTebow #PMSCFBRoseBowl pic.twitter.com/oFV4M0tHvL
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 2, 2024
How tight of a spiral does J.J. McCarthy throw if this pass is still a dart Roman Wilson after getting tipped. We’re very likely looking at an Alabama interception if the wideout doesn’t go up and snatch that ball.
Instead Wilson finishes the drive off with a touchdown to tie the game.
This angle of Roman Wilson's game-tying TD 🤯 pic.twitter.com/UHRTyjP2WL
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) January 2, 2024
8
Michigan muffs punt at the goal line before OT
— wow that was crazy (@CowardlyDoggo) January 2, 2024
We were this close to witnessing the most infamous muffed punt in college football history.
9
Blake Corum bullies his way to a go-ahead touchdown in OT
blake corum touchdown in overtime pic.twitter.com/Ab6L4d3jLQ
— ◇ (@2MANYBRIDGES) January 2, 2024
The touchdown that lifted Michigan to the national title game.
10
Milroe stopped on 4th and Ballgame
JALEN MILROE IS STOPPED ON 4TH DOWN😱
THE WOLVERINES ARE HEADED TO THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP 🏆 #CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/X2x3tPzwqr
— ESPN (@espn) January 2, 2024
This play call was certainly a choice. What a rough way to go out. What an incredible win for Michigan.
