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This Week at The Wolverine Den

Game Weather

Tampa, Florida (click here)

The 2024 ReliaQuest Bowl

December 31, 2024 - 12:00 p.m. ET

Game Preview

The Michigan Wolverines did not qualify for the College Football Playoffs this year. They also played a schedule that included 4 teams that made the playoffs, but losing 3 road games in the Big Ten was impossible to overcome. Even at 7-5 and T-7 in the Big Ten standing, Michigan still gets a Florida Bowl game. Their "consolation" prize is a rematch of last year CFP semifinals against Alabama. The Crimson Tide have won 3 National Championships since the playoffs began in the 2014 season (along with 3 runner-up finishes). Alabama has the most National Championships in history with 18. Michigan is 2nd with 12. Michigan has the most wins in college football with 1011. Alabama is 3rd with 974. Alabama is 2nd in all-time winning pct at .734. Michigan is 3rd at .732. The two teams have met in bowl games 5 times where Michigan holds a 3-2 advantage. You cannot ask for a better matchup.

Pre-game Menu

Submarine Sandwiches

Salads

Snacks

Alabama is an immensely talented team. They are consistently at the top of the annual recruiting rankings and produce NFL-caliber talent. They were the first team left out of the playoffs this year after losing to Vanderbilt, Oklahoma and Tennessee. QB Jalen Milroe is the star, where this year alone, he accounted for 35 touchdowns (15 passing and 20 rushing). That's more TDs than the total for Michigan this season (31). Overall, Alabama ranked 36th in the nation in total offense.

And the Crimson Tide were 31st in the nation in total defense.

The Wolverine Den Trivia

In what Bowl game did Michigan set their single bowl game record for most yards, a record that still ranks #4 all-time for Michigan?

But this game comes down to motivation in the opt-out era of college football. Which team lost fewer players to the transfer portal or have declared for the NFL draft. Which team is more motivated to win. All signs point to Alabama. The Tide have lost a few players to the portal but are apparently keeping their QB, Milroe. Alabama looks to be in revenge mode after losing in the CFP semifinals last year in the Rose Bowl. Michigan, on the other hand, will be without nearly every star on the team. It will take a herculean effort to overcome everything stacked against the Maize and Blue. But never count out the Wolverines.

Michigan is 3-3 against Alabama, 23-29 all-time in bowl games, and are 26-13-1 all-time against the SEC.

The Wolverines are a 13½-point underdog.

Tim's Prediction

24-17

Brown's Prediction

24-23

Steve's Prediction

27-20

Craig's Prediction

27-24

Tim 32, Steve 30, Brown 29½, Craig 28½