Alabama-Michigan: It's the Tide defense vs. Denard Robinson

Bama coach Nick Saban says Robinson probably is the most “significant” quarterback the Crimson Tide has faced Cam Newton in November 2010.

“In terms of what he can do in the game, in the offense and how the offense is sort of built around and features him as a player,” Saban said. “He does a good job of executing their offense. He's become a better and better passer each game, each year. I think that's a big key.”

Well, that's actually not true. Robinson, always a run threat, regressed as a passer last season. As a sophomore in the Rich Rodriguez offense, Robinson completed 62.5 percent of his passes, with 18 TDs and 11 interceptions. Last season, Brady Hoke's first year coaching the Wolverines, Robinson completed just 55 percent, with 20 TDs and 15 interceptions.

Robinson's rushing also took a dip, from 1,702 yards (an NCAA single-season record for a quarterback) in 2010 to 1,176 yards last season.

Against what figures to be another great Alabama defense, eighth-ranked Michigan needs a big game from Robinson. That could propel the Wolverines to an upset of the second-ranked Tide and Robinson to the top of the Heisman Trophy chase.