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Jalen Milroe eviscerated over nightmare first quarter in ReliaQuest Bowl
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Jalen Milroe might be playing his last game for Alabama in the ReliaQuest Bowl against Michigan on Tuesday. And he might not even finish out the game.
Calls to bench the Crimson Tide quarterback were widespread on social media before the first quarter even ended. Alabama’s first 10 plays against the Wolverines featured 3 turnovers — all of them from Milroe.
The Tide turned it over on downs on their opening possession as Milroe took a sack on a fourth-and-4. On the first play of the second possession, Milroe fumbled the snap and gave it to Michigan at the Alabama 19. On the second play of the third possession, Milroe was picked off. Then, on the first play of the fourth drive, Milroe was stripped on a sack.
Michigan’s first 4 possessions all began on Alabama’s side of the 50, with each of the last 3 beginning in the red zone. The Wolverines kicked 3 field goals and took a 16-point lead after 15 minutes.
The damage could have been worse, sure. But the last thing Alabama wanted to do was give Michigan confidence and a lead to work with. The Wolverines don’t exactly have an offense that can run away from teams (111th in scoring) but the defense has put out fires all year. Michigan entered Tuesday’s game inside the top 25 nationally in scoring (20.5 points per game allowed) and 34th nationally in opponent-adjusted EPA per play.
Milroe, a redshirt junior, could return to college football next season or jump to the NFL. He had massive moments during SEC play, but also struggled through some unsightly stretches. He was looking to close out the 2024 season with a bang and instead will have to dig his team out of a hole.
Here’s some of the reaction on social media to Milroe’s first quarter:
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
