Postcard from Pasadena: Rose Bowl Eve

Fans got enjoy festivities at the Rose Bowl Bash while the Alabama and Michigan head coaches conducted one final press conference Sunday.

PASADENA, Calif. — After a long week of preparations in California, it is finally almost time for the 2024 Rose Bowl. 

Both team's head coaches held a final press conference Sunday morning with a combined media availability between Alabama's Nick Saban and Michigan's Jim Harbaugh. The Crimson Tide and Wolverines held their last full practices on Saturday, but still have walk throughs and meetings on Sunday. Harbaugh said the hay isn't in the barn, and the preparation isn't quite finished yet. 

"I want to congratulate Coach Harbaugh and his team for an undefeated season and winning the Big Ten Championship," Saban said. "They've done a great job in terms of what they've been able to do with their players. They're a very well-coached team, very challenging for us, and we'll use the day today to try to clean up what we need to do to hopefully play a really good game.

As fans continue trickling into southern California from the Southeast and Midwest, a fan fest was held outside the iconic Rose Bowl Stadium Sunday afternoon with activities, performances by the Michigan Marching Band and Million Dollar Band plus food and 2024 Rose Bowl merchandise. Fans could also snag a picture with the Rose Bowl trophy.

It was an unusually dreary day outside the stadium in Pasadena, but the weather is supposed to be sunny with temperatures in the low 60s for Monday's afternoon kickoff between No. 4 Alabama and No. 1 Michigan in the CFP semifinal. 

"If we have to motivate guys to play in this game, it's probably not a good thing," Saban said. "They should be pretty motivated. I think channeling the energy in the right direction is really, really important in games like this."

Check out the video above for some of the sights from the Rose Bowl Bash in Pasadena. 

How to Watch the Rose Bowl: Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Michigan Wolverines