Nobody with even a passing knowledge of college football would think that Alabama football beating Michigan in the ReliaQuest Bowl is real revenge. The Wolverines beat the Crimson Tide in the College Football Playoff’s Rose Bowl semifinal to end Nick Saban’s tenure and UA’s 2023 season on Jan. 1.
On Tuesday, the two teams, both with different coaches, are facing off once again, this time in an 11 a.m. CT bowl in Tampa, with no championship stakes.
“It’s all about the 2024 team taking advantage of the opportunity that we have right now,” Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe said Saturday.
Michigan lost 18 starters from its 2023 team, which won the national championship after beating Alabama. Its opponent in the title game: Kalen DeBoer’s Washington team.
In theory, nearly everyone in the room should be looking for revenge. But according to DeBoer, right after the ReliaQuest Bowl matchup was announced, that isn’t a motivating factor.
“We’ve made it always about this team,” DeBoer said earlier in December. “That’s when we’ve been at our best, is when we really focus on just what it means to this program, this team. We go back to the Iron Bowl. It wasn’t about anything external, it was about this group. And that’s what we will certainly keep it to, you know when it comes to getting ready for Michigan and the bowl game.”
There’s other things that can keep UA’s collective head in the game. One is the Crimson Tide’s streak of 10 win seasons, which dates back to 2008, Saban’s second season in Tuscaloosa.
DeBoer was asked about that streak on Monday, during a joint press conference with Michigan’s Sherrone Moore.
“It’s something that’s really important to the guys,” DeBoer said. “There’s no question, they want to keep the streak alive there.”
Milroe agreed.
“That’s definitely one of our tasks,” Milroe said. “That’s definitely one of our missions, to have that 10-win season. And that’s something that we gotta go get, it’s not something that’s going to be given to us.”
According to the quarterback, who very well could be playing in his final Alabama game, with an NFL Draft future there for the taking if he wants it, Saturday’s game is about pride.
“It comes down to unfinished business,” Milroe said. “When it comes to the last game of your season, how can we finish on top?”
Alabama and Michigan are scheduled to kick off at 11 a.m. CT Tuesday at Raymond James Stadium. The game will be aired on ESPN.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, (updated 8/1/2024) and acknowledgement of our Privacy Policy, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 1/1/2025).
© 2024 Advance Local Media LLC. All rights reserved (About Us).
The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local.
Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site.
YouTube's privacy policy is available here and YouTube's terms of service is available here.
Ad Choices
