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The Alabama Crimson Tide and Michigan Wolverines played a College Football Playoff semifinal for the ages in the Rose Bowl.
But unfortunately for Bama fans, the Tide saw their season come crashing to a half with a 27-20 overtime loss after they were stopped on fourth-and-goal from the 3-yard-line in overtime.
As it turns out, Alabama starting center Seth McLaughlin, who struggled snapping the ball throughout both the game and the season, may have changed the way the final play went down.
Alabama’s final play was an RPO
This ball should’ve gone to the swing pass to the RB
Bama had 2 blockers on the 2 DBs and the RB out leveraged the defender playing him man
But low snap forced Milroe to abort it and run himself pic.twitter.com/T84g9niTQ6
— Adam Breneman (@AdamBreneman81) January 2, 2024
Alabama appeared to run a QB draw on the play. Michigan stopped quarterback Jalen Milroe well short of the goal line.
Fans across the internet hammered Nick Saban and Bama offensive coordinator Tommy Rees for the call.
But it may not have been that simple.
Former All-American tight end Adam Breneman pointed out that it appears the Crimson Tide ran a run-pass option rather than straight draw.
“Alabama’s final play was an RPO,” he tweeted. “This ball should’ve gone to the swing pass to the RB. Bama had 2 blockers on the 2 DBs and the RB out leveraged the defender playing him man. But low snap forced Milroe to abort it and run himself.”
Alabama running back Jase McClelan was open in the flat with two blockers in front of him. But because the snap was low, Milroe immediately took off running.
Could he have still thrown the ball? Maybe.
But it’s clear the snap spooked him one way or another.
And it may have decided to the 2024 national champion.