The last time the No. 11 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide (9-3) and Michigan Wolverines (7-5) met in the postseason, it was on January 1, 2024, in a thrilling overtime Rose Bowl semifinal that Michigan won 27-20.
Now, these two programs will once again meet in the postseason on the last day of the same year as the Crimson Tide and Wolverines face off in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Tuesday. Since their last meeting, a lot has changed for both programs, including the coaching staff of both schools.
In this matchup of the sport’s blue bloods, will Alabama or Michigan prevail? We’ll cover that and our three favorite player prop bets for Tuesday’s bowl game.
Alabama’s running game was led by quarterback Jalen Milroe this season, but running back Jam Miller wasn’t far behind. The 5-foot-10 junior finished the year with 135 carries, 641 rushing yards, and seven touchdowns in 2024.
In a normal matchup, Michigan would be favored to shut Miller and the Crimson Tide running game down. This isn’t a normal matchup, however. As many as nine Wolverine defenders are missing this game, giving Miller an excellent chance to cover this player prop bet.
Consider Michigan quarterback Davis Warren’s contest against the Crimson Tide as an audition for another program. Warren – a 6-foot-2 senior – has played in eight games this season, completing 63.5 percent of his passes for 1,126 yards and six touchdowns.
He’s also thrown nine interceptions in those games as the Wolverines’ aerial attack has been putrid. While there’s little reason to believe Michigan’s offensive performance will improve significantly on Tuesday, Warren will be motivated to show his mettle. Expect him to finish barely above this player prop mark in the ReliaQuest Bowl.
Alabama junior Germie Bernard was Milroe’s top target in 2024 as he caught 46 receptions for 714 yards and two touchdowns this season. While he’s eligible for the 2025 NFL Draft in April, the wide receiver has yet to announce his plans.
Although freshman Ryan Williams is likely to steal the show, Bernard should have a solid day against a weakened Wolverine defense. Expect him to finish with at least 60 yards on Tuesday to cover this player prop bet.
There’s not another bowl game I’m more certain should be a blowout than this contest. The Crimson Tide’s fans and players remember that last year, it was Michigan that denied Alabama’s quest to become national champions as the Wolverines won in an overtime thriller last season.
After missing out on the final spot for this year’s college football playoffs, the Crimson Tide have plenty to prove in their game against the Wolverines. Expect Alabama to come out firing and put this game away by the second quarter in potentially the biggest blowout of the bowl season.