Roman Harper, Former NFL Safety

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Less time shopping means more game time. Let's go. Visit Instacart.com to get free delivery on your first three orders. Offer valid for a limited time, $10 minimum per order. Additional terms apply. Alrighty, we continue our number two of our radio program. That's right, it is the Zach Gelb Show Coast to Coast on CBS Sports Radio. We are inching closer and closer to Monday for the college football playoff to commence. We have Michigan and Alabama in the Rose Bowl and then we will have the Sugar Bowl of course between Texas and Washington. And I was texting my buddy Roman Harper the other day, former NFL safety, played his college ball at Alabama and I was like, I'm excited for Alabama and Michigan. And he was like, I'm more excited for Texas and Washington. And I'm like, oh, I think Alabama and Michigan is going to be a great game. And he's like, Zach, I know you like Michigan, I know you're root for Michigan, but Alabama is going to kick the crap out of the Wolverines.

So now joining us, Alabama Homer, excuse me, I mean former Alabama safety, now a part of the SEC Network, the great Roman Harper. Roman, appreciate the time. How you been my friend? Zach, I'm good, man. First of all, it was a great picture of you and your little logo leading up to it that I was looking at.

It's just a great picture of you, just letting you know that. And I'm not saying Michigan, Alabama will cook the crap out of Michigan, but I do think they're going to win the game. And I'm still waiting on you to convince me how Michigan wins this game.

But you convinced me first. Why are you so confident about the Alabama Crimson Tide and why they're going to take down Michigan? Well, being, I'm going to take as much bias out as I can, and I just look at the teams for what they are and, you know, styles make fights. And when I watch Alabama, I think they have the advantage.

So let's just look at what, because, all right, how does each team go about winning the game? And so when I look at Michigan, Michigan is an undefeated conference champion that does what they do. That's what they've done all year long, doesn't matter who they play, they are who they are.

They haven't really changed personalities versus this team versus that team. So they'll run first team that's going to use 21, 12 personnel, multiple tight ends, and they run the football, then they throw the football off of that. And so mostly utilizing the tight ends as well, which is a great matchup versus most teams. Then I look on the other side and I look at Alabama's defense and I'm like, all right, well, Alabama's big. Nobody's just going to out physical and push them around. I know Michigan is going to move gaps and pull guys and do some other things to make sure the gaps are moving and not just trying to bully Alabama, but they do like to play bully ball.

And nobody really bullies Alabama since Nick Saban's been there. They're too big, they're too physical. That's just what he recruits. And then, okay, so you use two tight ends, you want to do some other things. Michigan has one receiver that's a threat Roman Wilson, my favorite name in college football.

And then, so he's a threat. They like to use them in different motion situations to get them open, get them off the line because he's not a very big guy. So use motion to get him away from guys and then get them up the field and big explosive plays come off of that. Outside of that, then they use tight ends like Colton Colston late, late. Yeah. That's it.

And number 89 I'm his name is missing my slip my name right now too. So these are the tight ends they use. And so Alabama with Caleb downs, they're going to use him in big nickel situations put him in the box. They still have their coverage guys on the outside and Terry on on and Kool Aid McInn.

Okay. Alabama love that matchup and the strength and the strength of Alabama's defense is the secondary piece. And so, if you don't have the advantage where you can get big and still be able to run the ball and pass off of it because now you have safety that can cover. You also have the two corners on the outside that you love that matchup versus any receiver of Michigan. That's advantage Alabama. And so where do you get the advantage at okay quarterback runs but JJ McCarthy's athletic, he's not my it's a difference.

And so if they were able to handle Jane Daniels, in the same type of situations with a great rush plan. I think they have the same ability to be able to do that versus a Michigan team that JJ McCarthy is not the same threat that Jane Daniels and so I'm looking at that I'm like okay now's Michigan get to 24 points, they have to get to 24 points some kind of way or another. And I think Alabama with their explosiveness on offense, and all you have to stop with Jayla milro Michigan is not face the quarterback like Jayla milro I understand he has some, some deficiencies here and there, whatever you want to say, but Michigan has not spied a quarterback all year long. So now you got to implement some kind of spy game, and we saw Georgia do that for the first time and it didn't work for Georgia as well either so it's gonna be really really interesting to see how Michigan gets those 24 points or 2428 to 30 points to try and win this game versus Alabama I know that Alabama be able to score at some point.

I just don't know how much because of the explosiveness of their offense, and also their running their quarterback. Yes, so we have a different view on this game Roman Harper is here with us is a great job SEC network, you said 24 points it's funny my final score for this game is Michigan 23, Alabama 20, and I think this is a physical old school style football game and Blake quorum is the toughest running back in the country, Donovan Edwards will be good for one big explosive play that we're usually not accustomed to allowing to be able to see Nick Saban given that up, and then you hit the nail on the head, McCarthy is going to be the difference in this game and I say this full disclosure. I do not love JJ McCarthy but I think the best thing to happen to Michigan was last year on screaming when it was Michigan TCU uses legs uses legs uses legs, and they allowed to be a little bit more mobile in the second half against TCU now I know they're not going up against TCU they're going up against Alabama I get that, but I think they unleash McCarthy, coming up on Monday, and they trust his legs early in the game, and I think that's going to make for a major difference.

Yeah, I think. So, the thing I like about quorum is that he's a running back that kind of hits the hole with speed and power right like reminds me a lot of Mark England marking him with hit the hole he explodes through the hole with power so they break a lot more arm tackles and things of that nature, but Michigan's old line without the guard they've had an injury to up front. Yeah, the offensive line the last two years you're right on that. Right, I agree I agree with that so it's like, all right, so how do they get those explosive runs, Alabama, they're like dude we're gonna put eight nine guys in the box and dare you to beat us another way. And so and you give Nick Saban, a month to prepare. I just think a lot of these things are leaning towards Alabama's favor when I continue to rattle my brain about how's it how do you go about winning this game, how do you go about winning this game. Now the one thing that we cannot count on our turnovers. And if Michigan forces Alabama into mistakes and turnovers on defensively or specialty, then Michigan sets themselves up to win this game. But if you do not do that this thing's all square and turnovers that I don't think it bodes well for Michigan that's just the matchup that I see, and you definitely do not want this to be any type of drop back game, because Michigan's aligned to tackles. They look more like guards that are playing tackle, and that just is not a good matchup versus Dallas Turner or Chris Brad as well, but we know can both really really rush the passer efficiently so I'm really interested in intrigued about the matchups in the unknown of Jim Harbaugh. I think the unknown of Jim Harbaugh is another thing that not enough people are going to talk about that I really look at because I played against Jim Harbaugh when he was coaching the 49ers in the playoffs.

He's always got a player to a wrinkle that nobody sees nobody's ready for. So how do you stay disciplined enough to be ready and prepared for those things so those big plays, don't kill you and cost you. And so Alabama did a great job versus Georgia keeping everything in front of them, playing a lot more coverage keeping too high safeties playing a lot more combo coverages where every every two receivers that you got we got three defenders on them.

Okay. And so we win in that number and then we're gonna let our upfront guys, when in the run game, stay disciplined in your gaps, because when I watch Miss you don't take. It's not like they're just blowing people off the ball as much as they're so consistent with the run game. All they need is one guy to get out of a gap and Blake Corman Donovan ever hit that whole late, and then that's when they get their explosive play so Alabama has to stay stiff with discipline in their run gaps, and if they do that they just make it so much harder on Michigan, because Michigan is not an explosive team outside the run game and then a couple of deep shots down the road so, but when you just look at them per player. Alabama is not afraid of Roman Wilson, they're not afraid of coasting loved ones so that part of it, I think, Alabama is a different sense of confidence maybe quiet conference but I like the matchup.

Alabama. And I can't wait to actually want to mention the other game as well. Well, you know, I know you're a Michigan guy, but we'll get to that game in just a second, but you talk about a trick play. I'm telling you, there's going to be a second half orgy in this game with Alex orgy. They've been used in the last few weeks run run run. He is going to have a big pass in his this game and come and make his first completion of the season get ready for the moment.

I would, I would, I would be shocked, but I wouldn't be shocked, because this is exactly what I just said what happened was that was gonna do some that nobody's ready to go, because the moment as orgy comes in, I'm going zero blitz. I'm taking I mean up all the gaps and I'm gonna make him beat us some kind of some other way than just a quarterback power, which is all these shown to be able to do, or that they've allowed him to do so far, that's not all he can do but I'm sure but that is what he does really well he's a big quarterback to that runs downhill so but Alabama man they're just really big as well so it, you know, and maybe we're all are becoming, you know, we're just so used to the last time we saw these teams which was Michigan really struggling to put on the offensive showcase versus the Iowa team. Yeah, that's not very athletic that I've never seen the defense run cover three so many times in one game, and just never mix up any other look and versus Michigan and Michigan couldn't do anything about it because what I did was they just got in their gaps and stayed there.

And we didn't get out of our gaps we didn't we all stayed in the place we were supposed to be at. And if you're disciplined enough to be boring and basic and just do that all day consistently enough, you're going to give yourself a chance because the biggest thing is run the run game to stop the running game. It's all a numbers game. If I got eight guys I got the advantage. Now if you bring in the quarterback run game then you got nine.

So because you got an extra blocker, so then you got a little bit extra problems. That's why you're saying JJ McCarthy could be up, but I just if Michigan wants to all of a sudden do something completely different. I don't know most teams that are successful that way that have been able to win 10 games that are undefeated conference champion that has reached the pinnacle, the number one team in the country, doing things one way, and then all of a sudden getting the biggest game of the year and do it a little bit or completely different. That's just really hard for everybody to wrap their heads around, but you do have a month to prepare, so it'll be interesting to see I just don't see teams being successful that way I haven't been around it. Do you think Roman Harper This is the finest coaching job Nick Saban has done in his illustrious career at Alabama. Uh, I don't know about that.

I mean, I think the, the book is not written yet, it's not complete. Um, now if they go on to win it then probably so you could make possibly say that but I think it just, it just looks so different than what you're used to seeing Alabama did not look good earlier this season. This team has figured out who they are what works for them and that's what I think that's what we should give Nick, Nick Saban more credit on is that he's never just a stake in the ground, you know, I mean he's not like I'm just playing my flag here, and this is who we are. This is what we're going to do doesn't matter what he's always like well, what works best for this team.

What works best for this player. How can I give this player, add more value to him and his life on and off the field all the time. And so because he's never just a flag in the sand type guy.

I think they're always evolving. They went from a run first team to a lane Kiffin hurry up offense for spread the ball all around throw it around the ballpark. So then go back to Derek Henry told him the rock type offense to them Bryce young and and Mac Jones throwing it all over the place to now more of a run first throwing the ball some being more explosive and leaning on the defensive type team as well so when you can win in multiple facets that really shows how great of a coach you are because not only that you're so much smarter than everybody, but it's more like I, it's not about me and ego, and that is not about just me and how we're going to do things, but just more about what's best for my team.

And let's go do that. Yeah, I don't know if you will agree with this or not, but when he bench Milro, and I said this at the time when he went back to him the next week when he bench Milro I thought that was the first time, going into that USF game that he actually heard, like the outside criticism, I don't think he actually wanted to bench Milro when he did it but he felt as if he had to. And that's why he went back to him so quickly shortly after that. Was that not like a Jedi mind trick.

Is that like a parent just treating the treatment, you know tricking their kid into. All right, you think you want this, but this is what you really need. Okay, and so I give you this needed. And so, that was the one really cool thing about that whole deal was that I was actually a little nervous about it too because I think we're having trouble here in Roman obviously he's driving around so I think we just lost him for a second I think we got him back though, Roman Can you hear me all right. Alrighty, so I don't think we're able to reconnect with Roman Harper if we get him back up that'd be great I just want to ask him one more question about Texas and Washington but for not good to go.

That is all right. Good conversation with Roman Harper right there who was joining us on CBS Sports Radio from the SEC Network as he gets set for Michigan and Alabama and we also have Texas and Washington as well. We're just going to try to reconnect him I still think he's actually up on the screen but we're just having trouble hearing him.

So Roman Harper's back. All right, let's wrap it up this way. Texas Washington, what do you love about this match up I think it's a high scoring affair I think Washington pulls this game out late but it wouldn't surprise me either way I think it's like a 3431 game but I'm going Washington.

Man. I'm kind of with you I'm going, Washington as well. I think I haven't decided completely.

But, you know, Zach I sorry I went to a valley right there bro over here I'm about to go off with my cousin so yeah, and so what really happened was that. So I, I like this Washington, Texas matchup because I don't know. So everybody's been telling us that Texas is the better team and when you look at a roster per person, like maybe Texas is better like Texas is back in that way. But when you look at where Texas is strong at that D line, like, is there D line really going to be that much of advantage in this game, if it is not the biggest advantage that we think it's going to be or anticipated being, then Washington's going to win this game.

And the thing that kind of takes away the advantage of Texas is they're so big and physical in the middle. But Washington doesn't run the ball in the middle, they pick the ball up they throw it out fast to the wide receivers. They do a lot of screens, they get the ball out wide, and when they run the football they do a lot of pin and pull runs which is they bring a tight end in, they block down on the end, they pull a guard or tackle, they get to the edges so they're not really running downhill. They're always getting to the edges so this team attacks you horizontally, way more than they do vertically, and then I offer that they got some passes downfield that man this guy Michael pennies can straight up throw it. But I hate his throwing technique, but everybody's going to love on him just a little bit more naturally because he's a lefty everybody loves the left handed quarterback they just look different.

They feel pretty. It's just a whole deal, but he's inaccurate at times but these receivers of Washington are problem and Texas secondary is not the best as well. I hate the coverages that they play a lot of times just because as a safety whenever you don't touch a slot receiver, and I look up and 12 yards down the field it's always man to man coverage, I don't like that. So, that's what Texas finds himself doing a lot of and that's going to Washington is going to try and take advantage of that. Also, doing a little bit of go back film last year.

Texas playing players played this game last year in this game the Alamo bowl and Texas did not affect Michael pennies, like they wanted to Washington affected when you were a lot more last year, then Texas affected Michael pennies and because of that I think a lot of these simulators will rise and I think I'm leaning towards Washington and upsetting already Roman Harper enjoy the traveling we appreciate the time as always thanks so much for doing this and Happy New Year to you and your family. Happy New Year's man. Thanks Zach is always having me man. Appreciate it, man. You know, I'll be listening. You got it.

Thanks so much. There he is Roman Harper, the great Roman Harper joining us on CBS Sports Radio. Alrighty, we'll take a break.

We'll come on back. We'll update some of the biggest stories in the world of sports with some audio with the news brief. But first up, I was just about to toss it to an update, but that's not the case right now because we're not at 4 30 yet. For some reason I did this on the six attention whenever I'm about to go to the news brief and tease the news brief. I always am about to toss it to an update so maybe I have some of the announcer yips right there. But anyway, we'll come on back in five minutes I killed CBS Sports Radio. When the whole family comes together to watch the game. Nobody wants to miss a second of the action to run to the grocery store with instacart you can get all your weekly groceries as fast as an hour, less time shopping means more game time. Let's go visit instacart.com to get free delivery on your first three orders offer valid for a limited time $10 minimum per order additional terms apply.