Michigan’s Blake Corum on playing Alabama in CFP: ‘We are the top dog’

Michigan’s Blake Corum respects Alabama, but he doesn’t fear the Crimson Tide.

On Sunday, after the College Football Playoff committee announced No. 1 Michigan will face No. 4 Alabama in the 110th Rose Bowl in one of two CFP semifinal games, the Wolverines running back reacted to the matchup.

And his reaction appeared to be much different than the team’s when the initial announcement was made.

“We are the top dog, that’s how we’re going to approach it,” Corum said. “We’re going to approach it like we’re the No. 1 team and they’re the No. 4 team, but they’re a great team. We’re not going to go in there saying, ‘Oh, this is Alabama, a team that’s won and won and won.’ Nah, we’re that team. We’ve been winning and we deserve to be the No. 1 team, that’s how my mindset is.

“The committee chose us to be the No. 1 team. So I’m not going to act like we’re not. Bama is a great team, so I’m going to treat it like a great team, but I’m super excited to play Alabama, it will be a good challenge, good matchup, but to answer your question, I’m going in like we’re the top dog.”

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Jim Harbaugh’s Wolverines are finally making their long-anticipated return to Pasadena, which has been Michigan’s home for so many New Year’s Days in the past. The Wolverines will be playing in their 21st Rose Bowl, more than any school except USC.

Alabama’s previous Rose Bowl Game appearance was in 1946, although Saban’s Crimson Tide also won the national championship at the Rose Bowl in January 2010 when they beat Texas in the BCS title game.

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Alabama is in the CFP for the eighth time in its 10 years of existence. After missing out on the playoff last season and then losing to the Longhorns in the second game of this season, the Tide reverted to their peerless form and reeled off 11 consecutive victories, capped by their 27-24 victory over two-time defending national champion Georgia on Saturday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.