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ESPN predicts Michigan Football's chances to beat Alabama in ReliaQuest Bowl

Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

Michigan will enter Tuesday afternoon as major underdogs to an Alabama squad that barely missed out on the College Football Playoff this season. The Crimson Tide are currently 12.5-point favorites over the Wolverines. But Michigan has seen this story before.

Entering The Game against Ohio State, the Wolverines were nearly three-touchdown dogs but Michigan took down the Buckeyes for the fourth year in a row. But Michigan had most of its stars for that game. When the Wolverines take the field against Alabama, Michigan won't have Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant, Josaiah Stewart, Will Johnson, Colston Loveland, and Myles Hinton, etc -- maybe even more.

The cards aren't stacked in Michigan's favor and it will take a group effort in order to compete, let alone beat Alabama. The Tide are angry they didn't make the CFP and Kalen DebBoer will hope to unleash his anger on a decimated Michigan squad in Tampa.

Looking at the ESPN analytics, Michigan has just a 19.4% chance of beating Alabama on New Year's Eve.

The Wolverines are going to need Davis Warren and Co. to move the ball better than they have all season. The Michigan defense will have to neutralize dual-threat Jalen Milroe, as well. You can see Michigan play in its final game of the 2024 season on Tuesday at Noon ET.

- Enjoy more Michigan Wolverines coverage on Michigan Wolverines On SI -

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Trent Knoop
TRENT KNOOP

Trent began writing and covering Michigan athletics back in 2020. He became a credentialed member of the media in 2021. Trent began writing with Sports Illustrated in 2023 and became the Managing Editor for Michigan Wolverines On SI during the 2025 football season. Trent also serves as the Publisher of Baylor Bears on SI. His other bylines have appeared on Maryland on SI, Wisconsin on SI, and across the USA TODAY Sports network. Trent’s love of sports and being able to tell stories to fans is what made him get into writing.

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