The 2024 ReliaQuest Bowl features the 9-3 Alabama Crimson Tide against the 7-5 Michigan Wolverines. Here is the 2024 ReliaQuest Bowl Preview.
Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama won nine games to make a bowl game in Kalen DeBoer’s first season at the school. They defeated six bowl-eligible teams this season: Western Kentucky, USF, Georgia, South Carolina, Missouri and LSU. All three of their losses were to bowl-eligible teams.
The Crimson Tide score 36.3 points per game, ranking 14th in the country. They pass for 240.1 yards (ranked 49th) and rush for 182.7 yards per game (ranked 39th).
Jalen Milroe has been at quarterback again this season for the Crimson Tide. He has passed for 2,652 yards, 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions on 65.9 percent completion. Four players had at least 200 receiving yards on the season for the Crimson Tide. True freshman Ryan Williams leads the team with 857 yards and eight touchdowns.
Milroe led the team in rushing from the quarterback position with 719 yards and 20 touchdowns. Jam Miller was the leading running back behind him with 641 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. Justice Haynes is in the transfer portal, so more will be asked of Richard Young.
Defensively, the Crimson Tide allow 17.3 points per game, ranking 10th in the country. They give up 191.2 passing yards and 139.8 rushing yards per game. Linebacker Jihaad Campbell has been a star with 108 total tackles. He also led the team with five sacks. Domani Jackson made plays on the ball in seven passes defended and two interceptions.
Michigan Wolverines
Michigan followed up their National Championship with seven wins in Sherrone Moore’s first season. They defeated five bowl-eligible teams this season: Fresno State, Arkansas State, USC, Minnesota and Ohio State. All five of their losses were to bowl-eligible teams.
The Wolverines score 22.3 points per game, ranking 113th in the FBS. They pass for 133.6 yards (ranked 130th) and rush for 160.7 yards per game (ranked 71st).
Davis Warren has played quarterback for the Wolverines this season, but has had some struggles. He has passed for 1,126 yards, six touchdowns and nine interceptions on 63.5 percent completion. Two players have over 200 receiving yards on the season, but one of them is in the transfer portal and the other is opting out. New playmakers will need to step up.
The Wolverines used two running backs this season. Kalel Mullings led the team 948 yards and 12 touchdowns. Donovan Edwards was decent this season, but he is opting out, so depth could be an issue in the game.
Defensively, the Wolverines allow 20.5 points per game, ranked 24th in the country. They allow 218.3 passing yards and 92.6 rushing yards per game. Ernest Hausmann has led the team with 82 total tackles. TJ Guy has the most sacks of anyone projected to play in this game with 5.5. Zeke Berry has been good in the secondary with eight passes defended and two interceptions.
Prediction
Michigan has a long list of players not suiting up in this one, including several first-round draft picks. A lot of Alabama’s stars due intend to play. The Crimson Tide should be able to win in a route.
Alabama Crimson Tide 31 Michigan Wolverines 7
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