Roman Wilson leads Michigan in receiving yards and touchdowns, headlining a passing attack that alongside Cornelius Johnson and Colston Loveland will face one of its biggest challenges of the year against Alabama.
The Crimson Tide boast an elite corner duo — Kool-Aid McKinstry and Terrion Arnold — plus an excellent true freshman in Caleb Downs.
Wilson spoke with reporters earlier this month about what he has seen from Alabama on film as the Rose Bowl approaches. Here are highlights from our conversation:
I think their corners are really good. They got three of them that rotate. I like watching all three of them. I think they’re physical on the line; they run really well. And I think they’re just good overall.
… They play a lot of that Cover 2 man. You don’t really see a lot of that in the Big Ten.
I’ll probably mostly be one-on-one. I can’t really tell — I don’t what they’re gonna do in the game plan. Probably keep it the same — that’s what they kind of do.
I think they all have really good technique. I think they play deep balls really well and really good recovery speed. They play with a lot of confidence. … You just go right at them. No fear, show them who you are. Don’t be scared. Just go out and don’t flinch.
On the lessons he’s taken from the last two CFP appearances:
For me, it’s just give it all you got. This is the only one that’s guaranteed. Give it all you’ve got, lock in to the details and do everything you can to make sure you’re in the right spot and making plays.
On embracing the matchup with Alabama:
I can’t speak for anyone else. But for me, it’s Alabama and their legacy and who they are, who they have as their coach. Just a great game to go up against some of the greats. Nick Saban is probably one of the best coaches ever, pretty much, and just to go up against a guy like that — it’s great.
Not really. I’m just really focused on his game right now.
On Michigan’s offensive balance this year:
I’ve always felt like we can throw the ball really well. We can obviously run the ball really well, too. But I never really think about it too much. Only thing that matters to me is just winning games.
On how he is preparing for the Rose Bowl:
Just attacking it more, man. Being more mentally locked in — being here in the present. Coach Harbaugh likes to talk about it gets muggy outside and people get down, or you’d like to think about other people aren’t playing a game right now; they’re on vacation. But I’m honestly blessed to be in this situation. I get to play against a great team. I get to go for a national championship. It feels good.
