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00:00 We are also thrilled to be playing in the CFP final at the Rose Bowl game.
00:06 Thank you.
00:09 Perfect. We'll now open up the teleconference for questions.
00:12 Please raise your hand to ask a question using the raise hand icon within Zoom.
00:16 If and when your question is selected, we will unmute your microphone.
00:20 Please state your name and media outlet before asking your question.
00:23 Once your question has been answered, your microphone will be muted and your hand will be lowered.
00:28 Our first question will come from Ryan Hennessey.
00:34 Hey Ryan Hennessey, WVTM 13 NBC station in Birmingham. This one is for Coach Harbaugh.
00:42 Coach, I'm not sure if you had a chance to look at the journey that Alabama has had so far,
00:47 but with the quarterback Jalen Milrow, what can you say about him overcoming adversity
00:52 and the way he's playing right now, especially down the stretch?
00:56 Yeah, he's playing at an elite level.
01:00 And you can see the improvement throughout the season.
01:04 It just really seems like he hit an inflection point there right before the halfway mark.
01:11 And also a special set of athletic skills.
01:20 But as far as like timing, decision making, accuracy, he's playing really well within the system.
01:29 They've designed some great stuff for him.
01:34 And we have a similar quarterback.
01:37 So we just have noticed the level he's playing at as elite.
01:47 Our next question will come from Nick Kelly.
01:52 Hi Nick Kelly with the Tuscaloosa News.
01:55 Speaking of Milrow, the connection he's had with Isaiah Bond,
01:58 I realize you haven't watched a ton of film, I'm sure, yet,
02:00 but what have you seen from afar for the connection those two have had recently
02:04 and what you guys will have to defend?
02:09 Yeah, you're right. I can't talk too much to that connection.
02:13 It's just really what I've seen in some of the games I've watched.
02:19 Yeah, I hate to talk too much into it.
02:25 Pretend like I know something I really don't.
02:28 Just really been able to look through the keyhole.
02:31 But it really looks good, as I said.
02:37 The precision in the passing game has been noticeable.
02:43 The improvement into where it's at now is at an elite level.
02:53 Our next question will come from Max Cohen.
02:59 Hey, Coach. This is Cohen from Way 31 in Huntsville.
03:02 A lot of us saw the reaction of the team when they saw that they were playing
03:06 Alabama.
03:07 What can you kind of tell us about maybe who you guys thought you would be
03:10 playing and what it is about Alabama that maybe your players aren't so
03:14 excited to face?
03:16 No, we're excited to face them.
03:21 It's iconic.
03:24 It's Alabama. It's Roll Tide.
03:27 It doesn't get any better than playing in the Rose Bowl.
03:31 Also, just going to appreciate the tradition of the Rose Bowl,
03:40 playing a great team like Alabama.
03:43 It always has meaning.
03:48 What we did was special.
03:51 Not only yesterday, but the entire season, the whole group that we have.
03:59 We're thrilled.
04:02 We're thrilled to be where we're at.
04:05 We're thrilled to be playing Alabama.
04:10 Thrilled to be playing in the Rose Bowl because it's going to be competition.
04:15 That's what this team lives for.
04:21 Our next question will come from Rainer Saban.
04:29 Hi, Jen. Rainer Saban with the Detroit Free Press.
04:32 I wanted to ask you just about the beat Georgia drill.
04:35 How much do you think that is applicable to Alabama?
04:38 How much do you feel like you guys are prepared to face a team with this kind
04:44 of defense and front seven?
04:50 Yeah, it's really -- what is it?
04:56 The last maybe five weeks, at least, probably the last four.
05:02 I think we played some of the top defense in the country in Penn State, Iowa,
05:09 Ohio State, all top five defenses.
05:14 And Alabama is as good as all of them or better.
05:20 So, yeah, it would be a big challenge, big task.
05:29 Our next question will come from Charlie Pappalardo.
05:35 Hi, Jim. Charlie Pappalardo from the Michigan Daily.
05:37 I'd be interested now, you know, you've got a month to prepare for Alabama.
05:41 How much does having that extra three weeks help you with preparation than just
05:46 going week in, week in, prepping back quickly?
05:51 I think the most beneficial part is getting healthy and, you know,
05:58 getting the team back, you know, fresh and healthy and ready to roll.
06:08 Our next question will come from Nick Alvarez.
06:15 Hi, Jim. Nick Alvarez with Alabama Media Group.
06:18 I know you met Alabama a couple years ago in the Citrus Bowl.
06:22 I know you've known Nick Saban for a long time.
06:24 I was just wondering if you could talk about your relationship with him and,
06:26 you know, how that's grown and, you know, getting a chance to meet him, like you
06:29 said, in a game with the stature of the Rose Bowl.
06:34 Yeah, I mean, that kind of stuff you hope for, you plan for, you work for,
06:40 and, you know, to be in that position, you know, nothing but the highest respect
06:50 for Coach Saban.
06:53 He's always, you know, treated us with respect.
06:58 And going back to when I first met him, the first time I met him was when
07:08 Michigan State was playing in the final, I think it was, or --
07:13 Yeah, Michigan State or Marquette at a Final Four in New Orleans.
07:18 I think it was Marquette when Todd Cream was coaching there.
07:20 And he was at the game.
07:23 We had a chance to have a conversation.
07:25 Also, a couple of the Heisman Trophy Awards ceremonies when our players have
07:33 been invited, whether it was at Stanford or Michigan.
07:39 Super interesting to talk to.
07:41 And, yeah, we're going against the best.
07:46 Tradition is, you know, wow, two blue bloods of football, you know,
07:53 and it's an honor to be a part of that.
07:55 And, yeah, I think it's a great honor to be part of that.
07:58 And I think it's a great honor to be a part of that.
08:00 And I think it's a great honor to be a part of that.
08:03 And I think it's a great honor to be a part of that.
08:06 And I think it's a great honor to be a part of that.
08:08 And I think it's a great honor to be a part of that.
08:10 And I think it's a great honor to be a part of that.
08:12 And I think it's a great honor to be a part of that.
08:14 And I think it's a great honor to be a part of that.
08:16 And I think it's a great honor to be a part of that.
08:18 And I think it's a great honor to be a part of that.
08:20 And I think it's a great honor to be a part of that.
08:23 Yeah, just as you would expect, you know, just a great thrill of victory.
08:27 Wonderful, wonderful feeling of winning.
08:31 It's what we dreamed about, what we hoped for, what we've worked for,
08:38 what our guys prepared for.
08:41 And so in position, get in position.
08:45 Get yourself in position to be in position to win it all.
08:50 So we've accomplished many of our goals.
08:55 And now, you know, winning it all is what we had also put on the goal sheet.
09:04 So that's what we'll turn our one-track mind to this next opponent
09:11 and playing Alabama in the Final Four.
09:15 And we'll do what we always do.
09:18 We'll play in, we'll prepare, we'll practice,
09:20 and get ready to give it our very best.
09:23 [Gavel]
09:25 [Silence]
09:28 [Silence]