The No. 11 Alabama Crimson Tide (9-3) will conclude their inaugural season under head coach Kalen DeBoer by facing off against the Michigan Wolverines (7-5) on Tuesday afternoon in the 2024 ReliaQuest Bowl. Alabama faced three losses during the regular season, finishing as the first team left out of the 12-team College Football Playoff, while Michigan, in its first season under head coach Sherrone Moore, made headlines by upsetting then-No. 2 Ohio State to end the regular season. The Wolverines previously defeated the Crimson Tide in last year’s College Football Playoff semifinal.
The matchup is set for noon ET at Raymond James Stadium. Initially opening with Alabama favored by 13.5 points, the latest odds have increased to a 16.5-point favorite for the Crimson Tide, with an over/under set at 45 points according to SportsLine consensus.
Alabama closed the 2023 campaign with a strong 28-14 victory over rival Auburn, featuring quarterback Jalen Milroe, who threw for 256 yards, rushed for 104 yards, and scored three rushing touchdowns. Milroe leads the Crimson Tide with 719 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns, alongside 2,652 passing yards and 15 touchdowns. Despite losing running back Justice Haynes to the transfer portal (who will join Michigan), top back Jam Miller is likely to carry the majority of the load, adding depth with Richard Young, a strong freshman runner.
On the Michigan side, quarterback Davis Warren plans to play despite the uncertainty of whether he will enter the transfer portal. The Wolverines will be without key contributors including running back Kalel Mullings, second-string running back Donovan Edwards, and tight end Colston Loveland, along with several defensive stars opting for the NFL draft. Defensive tackle Rayshaun Benny, who suffered a broken leg during last year’s game against Alabama, is eager for a chance to compete.
The matchup promises to be exciting, as both teams bring a strong desire to finish the season on a high note. It will mark an opportunity for Alabama to extend their streak of 10-win seasons to 17 years.
As the games unfold, the predicted outcomes have been simulated 10,000 times, indicating that there may be solid betting advantages in favor of one side of the spread.
This bowl game not only represents a pivotal moment for both teams but also sets the stage for significant player developments and potential future excellence in the coming seasons. The outcome could provide momentum as they head into the next chapter of their programs.