Alabama vs Michigan ReliaQuest Bowl | College Football Picks, Best Bets

Bowl season kicks back into high gear on New Year’s Eve with a full day of action! The day ends with a trip to the desert for the Fiesta Bowl, but it begins in Tampa as the Alabama Crimson Tide and Michigan Wolverines face off in the ReliaQuest Bowl. Which of these two proud programs will be more motivated to finish a disappointing season with a bowl victory?

We’ve covered you with our favorite plays from Tuesday’s afternoon showdown.

Alabama vs Michigan Preview

• Location: Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, Florida)
• Time: Tuesday, December 31, at 12:00 p.m. ET | Where to Watch: ESPN
• Spread: Alabama (-14.5) | Moneyline: Alabama -710/Michigan +480 | Total: 43.5

Alabama vs Michigan Opt-Outs

Alabama: Kobe Prentice, WR (transfer portal); Jahlil Hurley, CB (transfer portal); Keanu Koht, EDGE (transfer portal); Jehiem Oatis, DL (transfer portal); Justice Haynes, RB (transfer portal, signed with Michigan); Caleb Odom, WR (transfer portal); Danny Lewis, TE (transfer portal), Malachi Moore, Safety (injury), Deontae Lawson, LB (injury), Keon Sabb, Safety (injury)

Michigan: Donovan Edwards, RB (NFL Draft); Cole Cabana, RB (transfer portal); Tommy Doman, P (transfer portal); Raheem Anderson, OL (transfer portal); Tavierre Dunlap, RB (transfer portal); Christian Boivin, LB (transfer portal); Tyler Morris, WR (transfer portal); Dominick Giudice, Center (transfer portal); Andrew Gentry, OL (transfer portal); Mason Graham, DT (NFL Draft); Josaiah Stewart, DE (NFL Draft); Will Johnson, CB (injury); Kenneth Grant, DT (NFL Draft); Colston Loveland, TE (NFL Draft); Kalel Mullings, RB (NFL Draft), Myles Hinton, OL (NFL Draft)

Alabama vs Michigan Best Bets ATS: Michigan +13.5 and OVER 43.5

The SportsGrid model has a pair of five-star plays in this matchup. The model loves the Michigan Wolverines to cover the large point spread in this contest and believes taking the underdog is the right play. The last time we saw the Maize and Blue, they beat the Ohio State Buckeyes in Columbus, thoroughly shocking the college football world. Michigan played a lot better late in the season, and their defense had answers to Ohio State’s explosive attack. The big questions in this game are: Can the Wolverines slow Jalen Milroe on the ground, and can the Michigan offense produce anything consistently? The model thinks enough points will be scored to go over the total of 43.5, with a projected point total reaching 46 for this game.

Check out SportsGrid’s models CFB Best Bets here.

Michigan vs Alabama Best Alt./Props

No player props are available for this contest, but you can bet on exciting, interesting alternative lines and prop bets. A few favorites include taking the Michigan Wolverines with an alternate point spread, betting the line down to 9.5 at +136 odds. Additionally, you’ll need to hold your nose and take Michigan to exceed the posted team total of 14.5 points (+100). If you believe Michigan will come out as the far more motivated team after knocking off Ohio State, you could take the underdog to win the first half at +310. 

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