Alabama vs Michigan Lines | The last time the Alabama Crimson Tide played the Michigan Wolverines, the scene was much more fraught with portent and drama, as they played in last season’s Rose Bowl for a slot in the College Football Playoff championship.
Michigan, then led by Jim Harbaugh, edged out the Crimson Tide, who were then coached by Nick Saban, 27-20, but Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe came achingly close to tying that game in the waning seconds to force overtime.
Change has come to both teams – Nick Saban has retired, replaced by Washington’s Kalen DeBoer. Jim Harbaugh likely escaped a lengthy show-cause penalty from the NCAA by jumping to the NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers, replaced by Sherrone Moore.
The lights of the College Football Playoff are far from Tampa, where Alabama (9-3) will meet Michigan (7-5) in the ReliaQuest Bowl. Michigan’s largest bullet point this season was a 13-10 victory over Ohio State that kept the Buckeyes out of the Big Ten Championship (but not out of the CFP).
Alabama did knock off Georgia but lost to Tennessee – and to Vanderbilt and Oklahoma, setbacks that just did too much damage to their resume to merit playoff consideration.
Since winning the BCS Championship at the end of the 2009 campaign, Alabama has gone 15-6 in postseason games. Michigan had a six-game postseason losing streak going until they beat Alabama and Washington to claim a national title last year.
The Tide are heavily favored, but will they have the motivation to take Michigan to the woodshed? Or will what they likely perceive as a CFP snub cause them to lose interest? How will opt-outs play a role here? Read on to get our sports betting prediction.
Alabama vs Michigan Lines, Spread and Totals for the ReliaQuest Bowl
NCAAF Spread/Total: Alabama -13.5 (O/U 43.5)
NCAAF Moneylines: Alabama -549 / Michigan +390
When: Tuesday, December 31, 2024, 12:00 pm ET
Where: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
TV: ESPN
Live Stream: Hulu
ReliaQuest Bowl Final Score and Prediction for Alabama vs Michigan Lines
It will be interesting to see whether a CFP snub motivates the Tide to deliver a lesson like a similar snub did for Georgia last year, who went into their bowl game against Florida State and delivered an emphatic rout, or it reveals that the Tide have little interest in a game without national title implications.
The Wolverines have had a month to mesh next year’s starters into their system, but I still think Alabama will use this game to make a point.
I predict a final score of Alabama 34, Michigan 16.
^Why should you bet on the Crimson Tide?
Perhaps the biggest reason for you to wager on Alabama to cover this large spread is the list of opt-outs for Michigan. Their top two tailbacks won’t dress, as Kalel Mullings (948 yards in, 2024) and Donovan Edwards (589 yards) are staying out of the game. Wide receiver Tyler Morris, who led his position group in receiving yards (although he only picked up 248 yards along the way), is also out.
Tight end Colston Loveland was the focus of the passing game this season, with 56 catches for 582 yards, but he’s decided to prepare for the NFL draft. Left tackle Myles Hinton will also miss the game to prepare for the draft. Edge rusher Josaiah Stewart, who posted 8 ½ sacks and made the All-Big Ten team, will be out, along with offensive tackle Mason Graham.
🔒 IN. pic.twitter.com/x5NRgWGsow
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) December 28, 2024
Jalen Milroe
In contrast, the Tide will have starting quarterback Jalen Milroe available. It sounds like he will enter the NFL draft, so Kalen DeBoer may not have him play the whole game. Instead, it will likely come down to how much Milroe wants to play. Tailback Justice Haynes entered the portal, but they still have Jam Miller, Richard Young, Kevin Riley and Daniel Hill to pound the ball on the ground.
The Tide did lose four of their top five receivers in terms of receptions behind the two starters to the portal, but they frankly may not need to pass the ball that much. Top tight end Danny Lewis had entered the transfer portal but withdrew Monday, and the six players the Tide have at that position should provide plenty of depth.
^Why should you put your money on the Wolverines?
The arguments for taking Michigan rely more on intangibles. It’s true that Michigan beat both Alabama and Alabama’s new coach in the CFP last year. However, most of the Michigan contributors in that run either left after last season or have opted out this time around. A slightly better argument is that Alabama already lost two games to teams with much less talent this season in Vanderbilt and Oklahoma.
Welcome to Ann Arbor, @Mikey_Keene! 〽️#GoBlue pic.twitter.com/j0pjQyLNph
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) December 29, 2024
Michigan finished the regular season by beating Northwestern, 50-6, and Ohio State, 13-10. In ESPN’s SP+ rankings, they are #34. Oklahoma (#31) and Vanderbilt (#51) are definitely comparable. There’s also the point that Michigan has a bunch of young players looking to show what they can do and playing with house money. As heavy underdogs, there’s little pressure on them.
^Xbet NCAA Football Odds for the Game
Alabama vs Michigan Lines: ReliaQuest Bowl Predictions 2024
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