Key things you may have missed from Michigan's wild CFP win over Alabama — from locker room trolling to a shirtless Tom Brady

Meredith CashJan 16, 2024, 01:52 IST

Michigan quarterback JJ McCarthy runs with the ball during the 2024 Rose Bowl.Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

The Michigan Wolverines beat the Alabama Crimson Tide 27-20 in an OT thriller at the 2024 Rose Bowl.
The Wolverines will now compete in their first College Football Playoff National Championship.

A whopping 96,371 fans packed into Pasadena, California's historic Rose Bowl to watch the No. 1 Michigan Wolverines and No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide face off for a trip to the 2024 College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship.

And, boy, did the blockbuster battle between two of college football's biggest brands deliver.

Michigan took down Nick Saban's Crimson Tide 27-20 in a New Year's Day overtime thriller. Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines will now advance to their first CFP title game with a chance to bring their first national championship trophy back to Ann Arbor since 1997 — a full six years before their current quarterback was born.

Here's everything you missed from the megawatt matchup at America's Stadium — and the post-game reactions following "The Granddaddy of Them All."

Nearly 100,000 took in college football's biggest and most historic bowl game on New Year's Day.

Michigan's defense put Alabama QB Jalen Milroe under pressure constantly in the first half.

Michigan linebacker Michael Barrett celebrates after sacking Alabama QB Jalen Milroe in the first half of the 2024 Rose Bowl.Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports

The Crimson Tide's offense caught steam in the second half.

Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe throws the ball during the second half of the Rose Bowl.AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill

A big drive from the Wolverines' offense and huge defensive stops left the game tied at the end of regulation.

Michigan wide receiver Roman Wilson leaps for a catch during the fourth quarter of the 2024 Rose Bowl.AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill

It only took two plays for Corum to find the end zone in overtime.

Michigan running back Blake Corum broke several tackles en route to an OT touchdown.Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports

With a trip to the national championship on the line, Michigan's defense came up huge.

Michigan DB Rod Moore tackles Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe during overtime of the 2024 Rose Bowl.Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

A shirtless Tom Brady went wild after his alma mater's win.

Saban later defended the play call that ended the game.

Milroe was grateful his coaches trusted him, and his Alabama teammates had his back.

Crimson Tide linebacker Dallas Turner declared for the NFL Draft immediately after the game.

Alabama's Dallas Turner celebrates a defensive stop during the Rose Bowl.AP Photo/Kyusung Gong

His teammate, offensive lineman Tyler Booker, congratulated McCarthy on the win in a moving display of sportsmanship.

Media not supported by AMP.
Tap for full mobile experience.

Harbaugh's parents believed their superstitious seat switch made all the difference.

Michigan defensive lineman Kris Jenkins and his mom shared an emotional moment in the end zone.

Jenkins also addressed the cheating scandal that rocked the Wolverines earlier in the season.

Michigan players still couldn't believe Florida State hadn't been their opponent.

A few of the Wolverines engaged in some quality trolling from back in the locker room.