Big Ten Daily (Dec. 20): Michigan Taking 'Underdog' Mentality Into Rose Bowl

Michigan might own the No. 1 ranking in the College Football Playoff, but it enters the Rose Bowl matchup against No. 4 Alabama with an underdog mentality. Wolverines defensive coordinator Jesse Minter says there's a chip on the team's shoulder this year.

That underdog mindset likely stems from Michigan's previous failures in the College Football Playoff. The Wolverines are 0-2 in their last two appearances, falling to Georgia (2021) and TCU (2022). 

Minter said that a chance at redemption is why so many returned to Michigan for the 2023 season. 

"With the guys that we have, when we got back together, particularly as a defense and as a team, a lot of these guys, this is what they came back for," Minter said. "13-0 is fantastic, nobody has ever won three-straight outright Big Ten Championships like this group has, like Coach Harbaugh has. But, at the same time, the group has been driven to get to this moment so past failures often lead to that mentality, the chip on your shoulder. 

"Even though we’ve had the success and it’s great, nobody is ever going to take that away, it’s really this moment, to a man, everybody said this is what we’re gunning for, this is why we’re coming back. That’s why all the wins along the way are so crucial because it kept you on-path to get here.”

Michigan's task is a tall one. The Wolverines will play Alabama, which ended the season with a 12-1 record and a win over top-ranked Georgia in the SEC Championship Game. 

Given the Crimson Tide's success in the College Football Playoff — winning three national titles — Minter and the Wolverines know the challenges they face. 

“Now we’re here and now it’s on us to try and get further than we have and reach our ultimate destination. It doesn’t guarantee that but I do think having that mentality of we feel like we’re hungry, we feel like we’re the underdog,” Minter said. 

“This is the Alabama invitational, they’ve played in 8 out of the 10 playoffs, they’ve won a bunch of them. The SEC has won four or five in a row. Let’s go. Let’s bring on the best and let’s play them and see where we’re at.”

Coach K Talks With Caitlin Clark

Former Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski enjoyed a Hall of Fame career while on the sideline in Durham, N.C. He coached several NBA talents, reached 13 Final Fours and won five national championships. But there's still one thing he wishes he could've done at some point.

Krzyzewski recently told Iowa star Caitlin Clark that he wishes he had the opportunity to coach her.

Coach K and Clark talked on SiriusXM's College Basketball and Beyond. After the two enjoyed a one-on-one conversation, Krzyzewski raved about the reigning National Player of the Year.

"You made my day. You know what, you are so real," Krzyzewski told Clark at the end of the interview. "I would have loved to have coached you. And you're not afraid. God bless you, I've really enjoyed it. I'll be pulling for you the whole season. Stay healthy and stay real."

Clark is currently the leading scorer in women's college basketball, averaging 30.2 points per game. She's also posting 7.2 assists and 6.8 rebounds per contest. 

The No. 4 Hawkeyes own an 11-1 record. They have just one more non-conference game on the schedule (Loyola-Chicago) before diving into Big Ten play.

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