Alabama football is set to face Michigan for the second time this year, albeit in much different circumstances in 2024.
The Crimson Tide (9-3) faces the Wolverines (7-5) in the ReliaQuest Bowl, a season after the two blue-blood programs faced at the Rose Bowl in the College Football Playoff. Alabama, of course, lost to the eventual national champions 27-20 in overtime.
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Both teams are also with new coaches for the rematch, as Kalen DeBoer was hired away from Washington last offseason, while Michigan’s Sherrone Moore was promoted from offensive coordinator after Jim Harbaugh left to coach the NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers.
Regardless of both teams’ finish this season, a battle between two of the best programs in college football history is always worthwhile.
Follow along for live updates and highlights from Alabama’s bowl game against Michigan:
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This section will be updated.
The Crimson Tide gain one first down before eventually going for it on fourth-and-7, but they can’t convert, turning the ball over on downs.
Milroe found Jaylen Mbakwe on the fourth-and-7 try, but Mbakwe couldn’t haul in the pass in bounds.
True freshman cornerback Zabien Brown comes up with a big play, as he intercepts Orji on third-and-13 with 22 seconds left before the fourth quarter.
Alabama hopes the play can give it some momentum before the final period with a 16-10 deficit.
Alabama forces a punt, then runs four plays before punting itself.
Both teams struggling to find offensive success in the third quarter.
Alabama forces a punt after the sideline interference penalty but can’t capitalize on the stop as it runs four plays before punting itself.
Michigan regains the ball on its 20-yard line following Burnip’s 61-yard kick.
James Smith sacks Davis Warren for a 13-yard loss on third down, but Michigan gets an automatic first down after a sideline interference penalty, where multiple team members stepped onto the field following Warren’s injury.
Warren was injured on the play, with backup Alex Orji, who’s in the transfer portal, coming in for the Wolverines.
Alabama has a huge drive before halftime, as Milroe scrambles for a 41-yard gain before finding Germie Bernard for a 40-yard catch with under a minute remaining.
Alabama then spikes the ball and has two chances at the end zone, but can’t score, resulting in a 24-yard field goal by Graham Nicholson.
Alabama has done a nice job stifling Michigan in the second quarter, holding the Wolverines scoreless with 67 total yards in the quarter.
Michigan downs the punt on Alabama’s 4-yard line with 58 seconds remaining.
Alabama gets on the board, as it caps off a four-play, 71-yard drive with a 25-yard touchdown pass from Milroe to tight end Robbie Ouzts.
Alabama trails 16-7 with 4:06 left in the half.
Alabama regains possession after forcing the three-and-out. Crimson Tide still down 16-0 with 5:54 before halftime.
Milroe is sacked for an 8-yard loss on first down before throwing a pair of incompletions on second and third down.
Michigan takes back over on its over 29-yard line after the 52-yard punt by James Burnip.
Alabama forces a punt and takes over on its own 16-yard line after Ryan Williams fields the punt but is hit as he catches it.
The Crimson Tide need to get some offense going.
Through five possessions, Alabama has -1 yards of offense.
The Crimson Tide is forced to punt and give Michigan the ball back on the Wolverines’ 20-yard line.
The Crimson Tide do more damage control on defense, holding Michigan to a field goal despite the Wolverines starting on Alabama’s 6-yard line.
Alabama finds itself down 16-0 before the end of the first quarter and will need to gather itself to have a chance going forward.
First play of Alabama’s next possession, Milroe drops back to pass and is sacked and fumbled, with Michigan recovering once again.
The Crimson Tide now have three turnovers on their last four offensive plays. Michigan takes over on Alabama’s 6-yard line and has started each of its drives so far deep in Alabama territory.
Warren throws a 1-on-1 pass to the pylon, which Frederick Moore comes down with to give Michigan a 13-0 lead with 4:15 to go in the first quarter.
Freshman Zabien Brown was in on the coverage.
A bad start gets worse for Alabama, as Milroe throws an interception deep inside the Crimson Tide’s own territory.
Michigan takes over on Alabama’s 16-yard line.
Alabama forces a three-and-out, but Michigan hits the 30-yard field goal to take a 6-0 lead.
The Crimson Tide have done a nice job keeping the Wolverines’ offense at bay, despite Michigan’s strong field position on its two possessions.
With heavy rain breaking out in Tampa, Milroe can’t handle the snap out of the shotgun and fumbles the ball, which is recovered by Michigan.
Wolverines with a chance to go up 10-0 here, as they take over on Alabama’s 19-yard line.
Michigan takes advantage of its strong field position, getting stopped on third down but converting a 45-yard field goal to take an early 3-0 lead.
Alabama opts to go for it on fourth-and-4, but Michigan dials up the pressure and sacks Milroe for a turnover on downs.
Michigan and quarterback Davis Warren take over for their first possession of the game with rain starting to pour down in Tampa.
The Crimson Tide will take possession first, with Jalen Milroe and Co. looking to start the game off on a high note.
Left tackle Kadyn Proctor is expected to suit up for the Crimson Tide Saturday against the Wolverines, and play through a shoulder injury that has hampered him this season.
As a non-CFP game, the ReliaQuest Bowl will have its opt-outs. Star cornerback Will Johnson, defensive tackles Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant, defensive end Josaiah Stewart, tight end Colston Loveland, running backs Kalel Mullings and Donovan Edwards and left tackle Myles Hinton are out for the Wolverines. Alabama, meanwhile, will not have opt-outs for the game.
Alabama and Michigan are both at Raymond James Stadium preparing for an 11 a.m. kickoff of last year’s Rose Bowl rematch. Will the Crimson Tide come out on top in a grudge match? Or will the Wolverines build on their historic win over Ohio State?
Alabama-Michigan is set to kick off at 11 a.m. CT on Tuesday, Dec. 31, from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.
Alabama-Michigan will air live on ESPN, with streaming options available on the ESPN app or Fubo, which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.
This section will be updated.
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Sunday, Dec. 29
This section will be updated.
AccuWeather projects the high temperature to be 78 degrees on Tuesday, with a 66% chance of precipitation, but only 0.07 inches of rain predicted.
Here’s a look at Alabama’s 2024 football schedule, including final scores:
* Denotes SEC game
Here’s a look at Michigan’s 2024 schedule, including final scores:
* Denotes Big Ten game
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