TAMPA, Fla. — Alabama football's streak of 10-win seasons is over.
In the first year of the Kalen DeBoer era, the Crimson Tide failed to get its 10th win of 2024, falling to Michigan 19-13 in the 2024 ReliaQuest Bowl, securing Alabama 's first season with nine wins or less since 2007.
Alabama will kick off its 2025 season Saturday, Aug. 30, at Florida State.
The skies opened and disaster struck Jalen Milroe.
Trailing by a field goal in the first quarter, the Alabama quarterback faced a torrential downpour heading into his second drive of the day. The drive was short as he fumbled the snap from Parker Brailsford and lost possession deep in Crimson Tide territory.
After a rush for no gain to start his third drive, Milroe, trying to force a ball to wide receiver Rico Scott, hit Michigan corner Wesley Walker , who batted the ball up and secured the interception.
And on his very next play, Milroe was strip-sacked by Michigan defensive back Aamir Hall and the Wolverines took over, once again, at the Alabama 6-yard line.
In 2012, Alabama had a 20-point deficit against Texas A&M after the first quarter where the Crimson Tide had 34 yards and an interception on 12 plays.
In 2024, Alabama had a 16-point first-quarter deficit with 2 yards on 15 plays.
Two drives tried to turn the tide for Alabama.
In two second-quarter drives, Alabama had 161 yards on 12 plays. Both drives ended in scores: a 25-yard pass from Milroe to Robbie Ouzts and a 24-yard field goal by Graham Nicholson , cutting the Crimson Tide's deficit to six at halftime.
It was the offense Alabama had succeeded with all season, using trickery and athleticism plus Milroe's arm and running ability.
That momentum ended in the second half. Alabama added a 51-yard field goal from Graham Nicholson, but could not overcome the deficit, ending a hopeful nine-play drive in the final two minutes with a
Facing a Michigan offense that is statistically one of the worst in college football, Alabama did the best it could.
Through the first half, the Crimson Tide allowed 3.2 yards per play, six first downs through 34 plays. But with an average drive starting deep in Alabama territory, the lack of yards turned into three field goals and a 13-yard touchdown pass from Davis Warren to wide receiver Fredrick Moore.
Despite forcing five punts and an interception on Michigan's next seven drives, another field goal proved to be enough to keep the Wolverines at arm's length.
Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@gannett.com or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama football falls to Michigan in 2024 ReliaQuest Bowl: Takeaways
