Alabama football will see a familiar team before the Crimson Tide ends its 2024 season.
Alabama will take on Michigan in the ReliaQuest Bowl, nearly a year to the date that the Crimson Tide faced in the College Football Playoff at the Rose Bowl, and less than a year since then-Washington coach Kalen DeBoer lost to the Wolverines in the CFP national championship game.
But the Michigan team that Alabama will see Dec. 31 will not be the same team that beat the Crimson Tide a year ago.
The Wolverines finished their regular season with a 7-5 record, falling to Texas, Washington, Illinois, Oregon and Indiana before beating Ohio State in their final game.
Alabama kicks off against Michigan at 11 a.m. CT Dec. 31 from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.
What do Crimson Tide fans need to know about Michigan? Here are three things ahead of Alabama’s date with the Wolverines.
Michigan will look much different than the team that beat Ohio State just a month ago.
Since the Wolverines’ 13-10 road win against the Buckeyes Nov. 30, many Michigan players have decided to opt out of the ReliaQuest Bowl. Led by All-American cornerback Will Johnson, other players to leave are running back Donovan Edwards, defensive tackle Mason Graham, tight end Colston Loveland and offensive lineman Myles Hinton.
According to ESPN’s latest NFL mock draft, Graham, Johnson and Loveland are each projected as first-round picks.
Alabama is not expecting opt outs for the ReliaQuest Bowl, other than the players who have entered the transfer portal. With players like quarterback Jalen Milroe, offensive linemen Tyler Booker and linebacker Jihaad Campbell all expected to play, the Crimson Tide are 10.5-point favorites per BetMGM.
Michigan has had one of the worst passing offenses in college football.
The Wolverines average 133.6 passing yards per game, fifth worst in FBS behind Iowa, Navy, Air Force and Army. Michigan quarterbacks have thrown 11 touchdowns, tied for ninth fewest in college football (with Florida State, Central Michigan, Louisiana Monroe and Wyoming) along with 12 interceptions.
Davis Warren, who had 1,126 passing yards, six touchdowns and nine interceptions, has been Michigan’s starter for the majority of the season. Alex Orgi and Jack Tuttle also made starts for the Wolverines in 2024.
Michigan averages 22.3 points per game on offense, fifth worst in the Big Ten.
While Michigan’s passing offense may be one of the worst in the sport, the Wolverines are one of the best teams in college football at stopping the run.
Michigan is one of five FBS defenses to allow less than 100 yards per game, with teams averaging 92.6 rushing yards per contest.
Opponents’ run games are averaging 3.1 yards per carry against the Wolverines, who allowed only 10 rushing touchdowns all season. Oregon, which had four of those, was the last team to score a rushing touchdown vs. Michigan, on Nov. 2.
The best run defense Alabama saw in 2024 was Tennessee, which allows 103.7 rushing yards per game. The Crimson Tide had 75 rushing yards and a touchdown on 34 carries vs. the Vols.
Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him atcgay@gannett.com or follow him@_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter.
