The Michigan Wolverines may be entering the 2024 postseason with a bit of momentum after a shocking victory over Ohio State, but they still face an uphill battle in their bowl game. According to DraftKings, Michigan has been labeled as an 11.5-point underdog in the upcoming ReliaQuest Bowl against Alabama, a team that was left out of the College Football Playoff but is still a formidable opponent.
Alabama, which finished the regular season with a 9-3 record and was ranked No. 11 by the playoff committee, will face a 7-5 Michigan team that barely squeaked into a bowl game. Despite Michigan's impressive win over the Buckeyes, the Wolverines still have plenty to prove, especially considering their struggles earlier in the season and the fact that they finished 5-4 in Big Ten play.
While Alabama is undoubtedly the favorite, Michigan has shown flashes of brilliance, especially in their blowout victory over Northwestern and the stunning upset of Ohio State. However, three of Michigan's five losses came to teams that made the playoff: Texas, Oregon, and Indiana.
With both teams bringing their own set of challenges to the field, the ReliaQuest Bowl, set for Dec. 31 at noon ET in Tampa, Florida, is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated matchups of the bowl season. Will Michigan continue to ride their momentum or will Alabama's playoff snub fuel their performance to dominate the Wolverines? We'll find out soon enough.
