The upcoming ReliaQuest Bowl on December 31, 2024, promises a thrilling showdown as the No. 11 Alabama Crimson Tide faces the Michigan Wolverines in Tampa, Florida. This matchup is a rematch of last year’s College Football Playoff semifinal, where Michigan triumphed 27-20 in overtime. Alabama is determined to reverse that result this year.
The Crimson Tide, led by quarterback Jalen Milroe, finished the season with a 9-3 record. Milroe, who recently won the prestigious Campbell Trophy, has been pivotal for Alabama’s offense. The team boasts a balanced attack and is eager to prove its resilience after narrowly missing the College Football Playoff. Alabama’s head coach emphasized their focus on executing effectively against Michigan’s top-tier defense.
Michigan, coming off a strong 7-5 season, is bolstered by one of the nation’s best defenses, ranked third in rushing defense. Key players like linebackers Ernest Hausmann and Jaishawn Barham anchor the defense, while edge rusher Josaiah Stewart leads with 8.5 sacks. On offense, running backs Kalel Mullings and Donovan Edwards have been standouts, with Michigan averaging over 160 rushing yards per game.
Both teams have storied histories in bowl games. This will be their seventh overall meeting, with the series tied at three wins apiece. Michigan holds a slight edge in bowl contests, having defeated Alabama in three out of five previous encounters, including the 1988 Hall of Fame Bowl and last year’s Rose Bowl.
With Alabama’s hunger for redemption and Michigan’s momentum, the ReliaQuest Bowl promises a fiercely contested game to close the year.
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