The Michigan football team has had a tremendous 2023-24 college football season. The Wolverines have gone undefeated with an overall record of 13-0. Moreover, they earned the top seed in the College Football Playoff. Michigan will face the Alabama Crimson Tide for the New Year's Day Rose Bowl. Veteran linebacker Michael Barrett explained his team's initial reaction to facing Bama.

The Michigan Wolverines have no fear of the Alabama football squad 

Michael Barrett explained his team's animated reaction to finding out they would face Alabama in the College Football Playoff:

“It's funny that I keep hearing everybody say we're scared because we got Bama. It was more like the shock of not seeing an undefeated Power 5 team get picked,” Barrett said, per Brett McMurphy.

Barrett and his teammates assumed that all undefeated teams would make the CFP, and they debated who would slip to the fourth and final spot. Thus, seeing Florida State get nabbed of a spot filled the room with shock.

Nevertheless, Michigan boldly accepts their challenge against a hot Alabama team. The team has no fear of the high-pressure matchup.

“It wasn't really fear, never that, of any team. It was more just that shock,” Barrett asserted.

Michael Barrett's confidence is fitting, given his play has helped the Wolverines achieve arguably the best defense in college football. The senior LB has amassed 29 solo tackles, two sacks, and three forced fumbles in 2023.

The Wolverines may not be scared of the mighty Crimson Tide, but they will still need to bring their best game. Alabama knocked one of the nation's hottest programs out of the CFP. Bama's SEC Championship win over Georgia speaks volumes about their ability.

All in all, will Michigan outlast Bama in the 2024 Rose Bowl?