TAMPA, Fla. — Alabama football will take the field for the final time in 2024 against a familiar opponent.
The No. 11 Crimson Tide will face Michigan for the second time in 2024, taking on the Wolverines in the 2024 ReliaQuest Bowl.
Michigan beat the Crimson Tide 27-20 in their last meeting Jan. 1, 2024. in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Rose Bowl. Kalen DeBoer also faced the Wolverines in the CFP national championship game with Washington , falling to Michigan 34-13.
Alabama will take on Michigan in the 2024 ReliaQuest Bowl at 11 a.m. CT Tuesday at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.
Here's what the Crimson Tide should expect from the Wolverines on Tuesday.
RB Jordan Marshall:With Donovan Edwards and Kalel Mullings out after declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft, Jordan Marshall is expected to lead the charge for Michigan's run game, one that has been the brunt of the Wolverines' offensive production in 2024 averaging 160.7 yards per game and 4.4 yards per rush. With little-to-no success in the passing game, expect Marshall and Benjamin Hall to get their share of carries even without much experience through the regular season.
LB Ernest Hausmann :A mainstay in the middle of Michigan's defense will play for the Wolverines against Alabama. Ernest Hausmann led the team with 82 tackles while being one of five Wolverines defenders with seven tackles-for-loss or more. If Michigan is making a defensive play, expect Hausmann to be in the middle of it.
CB Zeke Berry :Zeke Berry has been a major target for opposing passing games in the nickel, allowing 40 receptions for 530 yards and six touchdowns on 64 targets. Berry has made his fair share of plays, recording 34 tackles, three tackles-for-loss, two interceptions and eight pass deflections. Berry may be part of the difference between a successful day for the Michigan defense and a long day against the Alabama offense.
Alabama and Michigan has split its six total meetings, five of which have come in bowl games.
Alabama won its only non-bowl game against Michigan, starting the 2012 season with a 41-14 win against the Wolverines in Arlington, Texas.
Third down conversion percentage
Alabama:48.2% (No. 9 nationally)
Michigan:43.1% (No. 32)
Passing offense
Alabama:233.4 passing yards per game (No. 55)
Michigan:133.6 passing yards per game (No. 130)
Red zone offense
Alabama:85.7% (No. 54 - Tied)
Michigan:85.7% (No. 54 - Tied)
Rushing offense
Alabama:181.6 rushing yards per game (No. 34)
Michigan:160.7 rushing yards per game (No. 67)
Sacks allowed
Alabama:1.7 sacks allowed per game (No. 51 - Tied)
Michigan:1.2 sacks per game (No. 19 - Tied)
Scoring offense
Alabama:34 points per game (No. 15 - Tied)
Michigan:22.3 points per game (No. 100)
Total offense
Alabama:415 yards per game (No. 39)
Michigan:294.3 yards per game (No. 127)
Third down defense
Alabama:33.7 (No. 24)
Michigan:42.2% (No 86)
Passing yards allowed
Alabama:195.8 passing yards allowed per game (No. 30)
Michigan:218.3 passing yards allowed per game (No. 63
Red zone defense
Alabama:75.8% (No. 17)
Michigan:77.8% (No. 23 - Tied)
Rushing defense
Alabama:146.8 rushing yards allowed per game (No. 57)
Michigan:92.6 rushing yards allowed per game (No. 3)
Sacks
Alabama:2 sacks per game (No. 58 - Tied)
Michigan:2.6 sacks per game (No. 27 - Tied)
Scoring defense
Alabama:18.2 points allowed per game (No. 10)
Michigan:20.5 points allowed per game (No. 18)
Total defense
Alabama:343.6 yards allowed per game (No. 34)
Michigan:310.9 yards allowed per game (No. 11)
Here is the latest betting information for Alabama vs. Michigan:
Note: Spread was available on BetMGM as of Saturday, Dec. 28
Spread: Alabama -13.5
Over/Under: 43.5 points
Moneyline: Alabama -500
No. 11 Alabama 35, Michigan 17:It's simple. Alabama is fully stocked, with players like Jalen Milroe , Tyler Booker and Jihaad Campbell each electing to play in the ReliaQuest Bowl, while Michigan scrambles for holes left by players such as All-American cornerback Will Johnson , defensive tackle Kenneth Grant, running backs Donovan Edwards and Kalel Mullings and tight end Colston Loveland . With a 16-season streak of 10 wins or more on the line, look for the Crimson Tide to end Kalen DeBoer's first season in Tuscaloosa with than 10th victory.
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 vs Michigan: ReliaQuest Bowl score prediction
