Check out our free Alabama Crimson Tide vs Michigan Wolverines pick and preview for this CFB ReliaQuest Bowl game in Tampa. See who we like to win and cover the spread in this ReliaQuest Bowl CFB matchup.
ESPN is covering the ReliaQuest Bowl matchup between the Alabama Crimson Tide and Michigan Wolverines, set for 12:00 ET on Tuesday, December 31st, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. Even though Michigan is technically the home team, this game is being played on a neutral site. Alabama is the heavy favorite at -11.5 points, with the over/under line currently sitting at 43.5 points. The money line odds are -487 for Alabama and +365 for Michigan. The Tide are 9-3 this season, while the Wolverines are 7-5.
Crimson Tide vs. Wolverines Matchup At A Glance
- Sport: CFB
- Teams: Alabama Crimson Tide at Michigan Wolverines
- Where: Tampa at Raymond James Stadium
- Date: Tuesday, December 31st
- Betting Odds ALA -11.5, ALA -487 | MICH +365 O/U 43.5
Crimson Tide Preview:
Alabama enters Week 1 against Michigan with a 9-3 record, going 6-0 at home and 2-3 on the road. They’ve been favored in 10 of their 12 games, with a 7-3 record as the favorite. At home, Alabama is 5-0 as the favorite, but they’ve gone 2-3 on the road in that role. Their average scoring margin this season is +18.2 points per game.
Against the spread, Alabama is 6-5, with a 4-2 record at home and 2-3 on the road. As the favorite, they are 5-5 ATS, and they’ve covered in their only game as the underdog. This season, Alabama’s average over/under line is 53.8 points, and their games have averaged 52.8 points, with a 5-6 over/under record.
This week’s over/under line is 43.5 points, the lowest Alabama has faced all season. They’ve had 11 games with higher lines and five with more points scored than 43.5, while six games have had fewer points than this week’s line.
Crimson Tide Offense Breakdown
Alabama’s offense is averaging 35.5 points per game, ranking 15th in the nation, and they are 13th in our offensive power rankings heading into week 1. Their third-down conversion rate is impressive at 48.7%, placing them 11th nationally. Jalen Milroe, the starting quarterback, has thrown for 2,657 yards with a 66% completion rate. He has 15 touchdowns but also 10 interceptions, giving him a passer rating of 98.
On the ground, Alabama averages 184.8 rushing yards per game from 37.4 attempts. Jam Miller leads the rushing attack with 641 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging 4 yards per carry. Ryan Williams is the top receiver with 857 yards and eight touchdowns on 45 catches.
Crimson Tide Team Defense
Alabama's defense has been solid this season, ranking 8th nationally by allowing just 17.2 points per game. Against Auburn, they gave up 14 points but allowed 399 total yards, including 301 passing yards, while forcing two interceptions.
Opponents have averaged 141.9 rushing yards per game on 35.9 attempts against Alabama. The defense has allowed a 61% completion rate and 191.2 passing yards per game, ranking 43rd nationally.
Wolverines Preview:
Alabama enters Week 1 against Michigan with a 9-3 record, going 6-0 at home and 2-3 on the road. They’ve been favored in 10 of their 12 games, with a 7-3 record as the favorite. At home, Alabama is 5-0 as the favorite, but they’ve gone 2-3 on the road in that role. Their average scoring margin this season is +18.2 points per game.
Against the spread, Alabama is 6-5, with a 4-2 record at home and 2-3 on the road. As the favorite, they are 5-5 ATS, and they’ve covered in their only game as the underdog. This season, Alabama’s average over/under line is 53.8 points, and their games have averaged 52.8 points, with a 5-6 over/under record.
This week’s over/under line is 43.5 points, the lowest Alabama has faced all season. They’ve had 11 games with higher lines and five with more points scored than 43.5, while six games have had fewer points than this week’s line.
Wolverines Offense Breakdown
Michigan's offense has struggled heading into week 1, ranking 82nd in points per game with 22.2 and 79th in our offensive power rankings. Their passing game has been particularly weak, averaging just 133.6 yards per game, placing them 127th nationally. Quarterback Davis Warren has thrown nine interceptions compared to six touchdowns, and his passer rating is 69.
Warren has thrown for 1,126 yards, completing 63.5% of his passes. Michigan ranks 98th in passing attempts per game. On the ground, they average 161.3 rushing yards per game. Kalel Mullings leads the rushing attack with 948 yards and 12 touchdowns, averaging 5 yards per carry.
Wolverines Team Defense
Michigan's defense played a key role in their recent 13-10 win over Ohio State, allowing just 10 points. They limited the Buckeyes to 252 total yards, including 77 rushing yards on 26 attempts, and forced two interceptions.
On the season, Michigan ranks 8th nationally in rushing yards allowed, giving up just 93.2 yards per game. Opposing quarterbacks have averaged a 61.2% completion rate and a passer rating of 83.6 against Michigan's defense.
Crimson Tide vs Wolverines Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis
- When looking at their past ten road matchups, Alabama has an ATS record of 5-5 while averaging 30 per game. The team went 6-4 overall in these games.
- Michigan has a 2-3 record in their last five home games. In this stretch, they averaged 15 points per game while allowing 15. The team also performed well vs the spread at 3-2.
- Looking back on the team's last ten games as the underdog, the Michigan Wolverines have a straight up record of 5-5. Their record vs the spread in these games was 6-4.
- As the betting favorite, the Alabama Crimson Tide have an ATS record of 2-1 in their last three games. In these matchups, their straight up record was 2-1.
Alabama Crimson Tide vs Michigan Wolverines Free Pick
- KnupSports.com Free Betting Pick: Michigan Wolverines +11.5 Be sure to check out our other CFB Football betting previews for this week. KnupSports.com also updates their sports betting picks page daily with plays across all sports.
