Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Michigan Wolverines Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 31st 2024

Preview and Prediction

Alabama and Michigan were part of the four-team College Football Playoff last season, with the Wolverines eventually capturing the national title.

The teams meet again this postseason, albeit on a considerably smaller stage.

The No. 11 Crimson Tide and Michigan look to end underachieving seasons with a victory when they meet on Tuesday in the ReliaQuest Bowl at Tampa, Fla.

Alabama (9-3) was the last team omitted from the new 12-team playoff format, while the Wolverines (7-5) weren't even in the running.

That represents quite a descent for a Michigan program that beat Alabama 27-20 in overtime in last season's CFP semifinal at the Rose Bowl before rolling to a 34-13 victory over Washington in the championship game.

The New Year's Eve game is more for pride this season with no true way to salvage the season.

But Alabama standout guard Tyler Booker has found a goal worth fighting for stretching the Crimson Tide's streak of 10-win seasons to 17.

"There's a lot of goals that we had set out in front of us before this year took place," Booker told reporters. "And, obviously, we can't achieve most of those goals now. But one of the goals that is left to achieve is reaching 10 wins. So that's at the forefront of our minds right now, and going out to Tampa and getting a 'W'."

The Crimson Tide are beat up in the secondary with the recent news that All-American safety Malachi Moore underwent season-ending surgery.

Alabama had previously lost Keon Sabb due to injury for the season with a lower-body injury, and fellow safety DeVonta Smith left the program and transferred to Notre Dame.

The Crimson Tide have even lost two players to Michigan since the transfer portal opened defensive lineman Damon Payne Jr. and running back Justice Haynes.

Haynes (448 yards) was the backup to top running back and second-leading rusher Jamarion Miller (641). Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer said Richard Young (140 yards on 25 carries) will receive a big increase in playing time.

"Richard will be ready to go, just as he always is," DeBoer said. "He's a strong running back, and does a lot of things. ... When somebody leaves at your position, you have more opportunities to take advantage of."

Quarterback Jalen Milroe leads the Crimson Tide with 719 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns. Milroe also has passed for 2,652 yards, 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

Michigan quarterback Davis Warren is in an odd predicament as the Wolverines recently signed the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2025 class in Bryce Underwood, who is expected to start at quarterback from the moment he steps on campus.

Warren hasn't decided if he will enter the transfer portal, but he has had extensive chats with coach Sherrone Moore.

"He's been clear that he cares about me and wants what's best for me and wants me to be at Michigan," Warren said of Moore. "That's been clear. I know in this day and age what that looks like."

The downside is Warren has more interceptions (nine) than touchdown passes (six).

The Wolverines will be short-handed in the bowl as defensive tackles Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant, cornerback Will Johnson, tight end Colston Loveland and running back Donovan Edwards are among the players who have opted out in favor of the NFL draft.

One player thrilled about the opportunity to play is defensive tackle Rayshaun Benny, who broke his right leg in the first quarter of last season's contest against Alabama.

"I didn't get a chance to play last year," Benny told reporters, "so this will be my national championship."

The teams have split six previous meetings, with five of the matchups coming in bowl games. This is the third time they have met in Tampa, with Alabama posting a 17-14 victory in the Outback Bowl on Jan. 1, 1997, and the Wolverines notching a 28-24 win in the Hall of Fame Bowl on Jan. 2, 1988.

PREDICTION

Alabama Crimson Tide

Michigan Wolverines

Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Michigan Wolverines Recap DEC 31TH 2024

Dominic Zvada kicked four goals and Davis Warren threw a touchdown pass before leaving with a knee injury as Michigan notched a 19-13 victory over No. 11 Alabama in the ReliaQuest Bowl at Tampa, Fla.

The Wolverines (8-5) took advantage of three Crimson Tide first-quarter turnovers to build a 16-point lead en route to winning their third straight contest.

Jalen Milroe completed 16 of 32 passes for 192 yards, one touchdown and one interception for Alabama (9-4). But Milroe had just 7 yards on 16 rushes and he was mistake-prone in the first quarter with an interception and two lost fumbles.

The Crimson Tide rushed for just 68 yards, well below their season average (182.7).

This contest was a rematch of last season's College Football semifinals when Michigan beat Alabama 27-20 in overtime. The Wolverines went on to beat Washington in the championship game.

Warren completed 9 of 12 passes for 73 yards and a touchdown before leaving with a right knee injury. He was replaced by Alex Orji, who was 2-of-3 passing for 2 yards with one interception.

Warren limped off the field after being sacked early in the third quarter and soon went to the locker room for evaluation. He returned to the sideline early in the fourth quarter on crutches and sporting a bag of ice on his right knee.

Jordan Marshall rushed for 100 yards on 23 carries for Michigan after its top two backs -- Kalel Mullings and Donovan Edwards -- opted out of the game to prepare for the NFL Draft.

Zvada's fourth field goal, a 37-yarder, gave the Wolverines a 19-10 lead with 7:21 remaining. Alabama trimmed its deficit back to six on Graham Nicholson's 51-yard field goal with 4:38 left.

The Crimson Tide's final chance ended with a pressured Milroe throwing a fourth-down incomplete pass from the Wolverines' 15 with 49 seconds left.

Michigan cashed in three Alabama first-half turnovers into 13 points and led 16-10 at the break.

Zvada opened the scoring with a 45-yard field goal before the Crimson Tide turnovers began.

Milroe's fumble was recovered at the Alabama 19-yard line by Derrick Moore. That set up Zvada's 30-yard field goal to make it 6-0 with 5:52 left in the quarter.

Two plays later, Milroe was intercepted by Wesley Walker, who returned the ball three yards to the Crimson Tide 16. Three plays later, Warren tossed a 13-yard touchdown pass to Frederick Moore for a 13-point lead.

On Alabama's next offensive play, Aamir Hall delivered a strip-sack of Milroe. Cameron Brandt picked up the ball and returned it 5 yards to the Crimson Tide 6, setting up Zvada's 21-yard field goal to make it 16-0 with 2:04 left in the quarter.

Alabama got on the board when Milroe threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Robbie Ouzts with 4:06 left in the half. Nicholson tacked on a 24-yard field goal with four seconds left in the half.