Bowl season is almost here for Michigan football. After a sluggish 7-5 season the Wolverines will end the 2024 campaign in Tampa on New Year's Eve against a familiar foe: The Alabama Crimson Tide.
Michigan football and Alabama played in the Rose Bowl one year ago in the College Football Playoff. The two teams also met in the Citrus Bowl after the 2019 season.
The stakes for this game will feel similar to that one in 2019, although both teams were at full strength in that game, which won't be the case on Saturday. Alabama will have most of its players, including starting quarterback Jalen Milroe.
Michigan football, however, will be missing some of its best players including Mason Graham, Will Johnson, Kenneth Grant, Josaiah Stewart, Kalel Mullings, Myles Hinton, Colston Loveland, and also Makari Paige, as well as Donovan Edwards. Starting wide receiver Tyler Morris, who caught a touchdown against Alabama in the Rose Bowl, is also out and in the transfer portal.
That's half the starting lineup. Michigan football fans will get to see plenty of youngsters, such as former top-100 running back Jordan Marshall, or four-star offensive tackle Jordan Sprague.
There are things to look forward to, but keeping this competitive might be a challenge for Michigan football. Here's a look at the odds, a prediction, and how to watch the ReliaQuest Bowl.
How to watch ReliaQuest Bowl
Date: December 31
Game Time: Noon EST
Venue: Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, Florida)
How to Watch: ESPN | Fubo TV
ReliaQuest Bowl odds
According to DraftKings, Michigan football is a 14-point underdog against Alabama. The over/under is 43.5 points and the moneyline is -520 for Alabama and +390 for the Wolverines.
ReliaQuest Bowl prediction
Even without four projected first-round picks on defense, Michigan football still has enough to make it interesting. Derrick Moore and Rayshaun Benny are future pros. TJ Guy probably is too. Jaishawn Barham is a guy to watch at linebacker. With Stewart out and Barham moving to EDGE next season, maybe he'll get some more chances as a blitzer.
Losing Paige hurts. He's been the nickel and really sorted out the secondary. So it will be interesting to see if Zeke Berry goes to nickel or how that works out. Berry and Jyaire Hill will need to be at the top of their game, but the offense is the bigger concern.
The Wolverines struggled all season to score points. They are down a starting wide receiver and their two best players. Jordan Marshall having a big game on the ground might be the only chance the Wolverines have in this one.
It will stay tight for a half or so, but Alabama will pull away in the fourth quarter. Michigan is just too short-handed.
Prediction: Alabama 28, Michigan 13