All of Jim Harbaugh’s remarks during the inaugural Rose Bowl press conference

In the College Football Playoff rankings, Michigan (13-0) shot up to the top and will take on No. 4 Alabama (12-1) in the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day.

Head coach of Michigan Jim Harbaugh gave his early impressions of the game via teleconference on Sunday afternoon.

The complete news conference transcript is available here, thanks to ASAP Sports.

JIM HARBAUGH

Jim Hawkaugh: We are ecstatic to be participating in the Rose Bowl Game CFP championship. I’m grateful.

Q. Hey Coach, I don’t know if you’ve had a chance to look at Alabama’s current season, but what can you say about Jalen Milroe, the quarterback, and his ability to overcome hardship in light of his current play, particularly in the closing stages?

JIM HARBAUGH: He is playing at a very high level, and his play has been better all season long. It appears that he reached a turning point just prior to the halfway point. possesses a unique set of athletic abilities.

However, in terms of timing, judgment, and precision, he’s performing admirably inside the framework. They’ve created some amazing things just for him.

We have a similar quarterback, so we just have noticed the level he’s playing at. He’s elite.

Q. In relation to Milroe and his relationship with Isaiah Bond, what impressions do you have from a distance on their recent relationship and the things you will need to guard?

JIM HARBAUGH: You’re right, I can’t discuss that relationship too much. Simply said, what I’ve observed in a few of the games I’ve watched. Yes, I hate to get too personal and act like I know more than I actually do. It looks great, but I haven’t actually been able to look through the keyhole.

It’s evident that the passing game has become more precise, as I mentioned. The current state of improvement is exceptional.

Q. Many of us witnessed the team’s response upon learning they would be facing Alabama. Could you tell us who you anticipated playing against and what your teammates might not be looking forward to about Alabama?

Jim Hawkaugh: Not at all; we’re eager to take them on. It is well-known. It’s Alabama. Roll Tide, that is. Playing in the Rose Bowl and getting to witness the tradition while up against a fantastic team like Alabama doesn’t get any better. It always has a purpose, after all.

Our actions were unique. Not just yesterday, but the entire season, every member of our group. We’re overjoyed. We are ecstatic to be in this position. We are excited to play Alabama and to be in the Rose Bowl because there will be fierce competition. This group exists for that.

Q. I had a question for you regarding the “Beat Georgia” exercise. To what extent do you think Alabama is covered by that? To what extent do you think you guys are ready to take on a squad that has this kind of front seven and defense?

JIM HARBAUGH: Yeah, it’s really — what is it, the last maybe five weeks, probably the last four, I think we played some of the top defenses in the country in Penn State, Iowa, Ohio State, all top 5 defenses, and Alabama is as good as all them or better.

Ye h, it’ll be a big challenge, big task.

 Q . me more about the month you have left to get ready for Alabama. How much more helpful is it to you to prepare for three more weeks as opposed to just preparing swiftly every week?

JIM HARBAUGH: Getting well and getting the squad back up and running is, in my opinion, the most advantageous aspect.

Q. I am aware that you played Alabama in the Citrus Bowl a few years ago. You’ve known Nick Saban for a very long time, I know that. Could you discuss how your friendship with him has developed and how you got the opportunity to meet him during a Rose Bowl game of such magnitude?

JIM HARBAUGH: You know, the kind of things you dream of, strive for, and engage in as a game. I have nothing but the utmost respect for Coach Saban to be in that position. Since the first time I met him, which I believe was during Michigan State’s matchup with Marquette at the Final Four in New Orleans, he has consistently shown us respect. Tom Crean was coaching at Marquette at the time, I believe, and he was present at the game when we had the opportunity to speak. Additionally, a few Heisman Trophy award ceremonies, either at Stanford or Michigan, to which our athletes have been invited.

Talk to someone really intriguing, even though we’re not working with the greatest. It’s tradition to see Alabama up against two real football blue bloods.

Q. Discuss what it means for you to be the Big Ten representative heading to the Rose Bowl as the top overall seed, given that this is the final year of both the traditional Big Ten and the four-team playoff era.

JIM HARBAUGH: Exactly what one could anticipate. Just the amazing, lovely sense of winning and a huge excitement. It is what our people were ready for, what we had hoped for, what we had dreamed about.

Put yourself in a situation where you can win it all by getting in position.

We’ve crossed off a lot of our goals on the goal sheet, and now we just need to win it all. We will focus exclusively on that, our upcoming opponent, and our matchup with Alabama in the Final Four. We will proceed as usual. We’ll practice, get ready, play, and give it everything we’ve got.