The University of Michigan football team will head south during the holiday season. Specifically, Michigan will face 11th-ranked Alabama in the ReliaQuest Bowl. The Wolverines will make their Big Ten-leading College Football Betting seventh appearance in the ReliaQuest Bowl. Previously, it was known as the Outback Bowl and Hall of Fame Bowl. The ReliaQuest Bowl is held at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla., home of the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This will be the sixth meeting between Michigan and Alabama during the bowl season. In sum, U-M holds a 3-2 series advantage.
Reliaquest Bowl Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Michigan Wolverines
| Date and Time: | Tuesday, December 31, 2024, Noon ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL |
| TV Coverage: | ESPN |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | -10½ -110 | 43½ -110 | -350 |  |
| Michigan | +10½ -110 | 43½ -110 | +280 | |
| ||||
Reliaquest Bowl Overview
The ReliaQuest Bowl was originally founded as the Hall of Fame Bowl in 1986. The Outback Bowl took over as title sponsor in 1996 and continued in that role until ReliaQuest took over. Concurrently, the bowl has conference tie-ins with the Big Ten and SEC and pays out $6.4 million.
Last year, the 13th-ranked LSU Tigers launched the team’s post-Daniels era with a 35-31, come-from-behind victory over Wisconsin in the ReliaQuest Bowl. Correlate that Garrett Nussmeier led a 98-yard drive to produce the winning touchdown in the closing minutes.
Nussmeier Stepped in to make his first college start after Daniels — the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner — opted out to begin preparing for the NFL draft. In sum, Nussmeier completed 31 of 45 passes for 395 yards, three TDs, and one interception. He tossed TD passes of 14 yards to Chris Hilton Jr. and 38 and 4 yards to Brian Thomas Jr. In turn, Thomas’ second score put LSU ahead for the first time with 3:08 remaining.
Michigan Wolverines Team Overview
Last game, the Michigan Wolverines won 13-10 against the Ohio State Buckeyes as 19.5-point road dogs. The game went under the offshore bookmaker total of 41.5. Michigan has a record of 7-5 straight up, 7-5 against the spread, and 7-5 over/under the total. Michigan ranks 128th for total offense, 130th for passing, 70th for rushing, and 112th for scoring. Defensively, they rank 14th overall, 68th against the pass, 3rd against the rush, and 24th for points allowed. Also, Michigan ranks 87th for fewest turnovers lost and 51st for takeaways.
Alabama Crimson Tide Team Overview
Last game, the Alabama Crimson Tide won 28-14 against the Auburn Tigers as 11.5-point home favorites. The game went under the College Football Betting total of 51. Alabama has a record of 9-3 straight up, 7-5 against the spread, and 6-6 over/under the total. Alabama ranks 40th for total offense, 50th for passing, 43rd for rushing and 18th for scoring. Defensively, they rank 31st overall, 30th against the pass, 53rd against the rush, and 11th for points allowed. Also, Alabama ranks 76th for fewest turnovers lost and 9th for takeaways.
Reliaquest Bowl SBG Free Picks
Previously, in the 2023 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Rose Bowl, a 27-20 victory by the Wolverines in overtime. Michigan claimed victories in the 1988 Hall of Fame Bowl (28-24), 2000 Orange Bowl (35-34, 1 OT), and 2024 Rose Bowl. While Alabama earned wins in the 1997 Outback Bowl (17-14) and 2020 Citrus Bowl (35-16). In this situation, Alabama will have the better personnel and depth.
Reliaquest Bowl SBG Best Bet: Alabama Crimson Tide.