by Rod Pearson
Monday, Dec 30, 2024
Game Time: 12:00 pm ET, Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Venue: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
Where to Watch: ESPN
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: Alabama -13.5, Michigan +13.5; Over/Under: 43.5 points
Bet365: Point Spread: Alabama -13.5, Michigan +13.5; Over/Under: 43.5 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: Alabama -13.5, Michigan +13.5; Over/Under: 43.5 points
Season Record
Alabama Crimson Tide: 9-3 (5-3) (5th place, SEC)
Michigan Wolverines: 7-5 (5-4) (8th place, Big Ten)
Do not miss out on our expert handicapper analysis! Sean Murphy is on a HOT STREAK in college football on a 17-10 CFB RUN for +$6,120 PROFIT! Make sure you check out his picks and many more from the expert handicappers featured in the Shop Picks section.
Recent Form
Alabama Crimson Tide: won their last game at home against the Auburn Tigers 28-14.
Michigan Wolverines: won their last game on the road against the Ohio State Buckeyes 13-10.
Alabama Crimson Tide vs Michigan Wolverines Preview and Analysis
Alabama is entering this game with a 9-3 record overall and they have a 5-3 record in their conference games too. They are 7-0 in their home games, 2-3 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be at a neutral site for this game. They won their last game against Auburn 28-14. Jalen Milroe was the starting QB and he completed 18/24 passes for 256 passing yards, 0 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Jalen Milroe led the team in rushing yards with 104 and 3 TDs. Germie Bernard led the receivers with 111 receiving yards on 7 receptions. Domani Jackson led the defense in that game with 6 solo tackles and 2 assisted tackles while Tim Keenan III led the defense in sacks with 1. Zabien Brown and Bray Hubbard each came away with 1 interception for them in that one.
Michigan is entering this game with a 7-5 record overall and they have a 5-4 record in their conference games too. They are 6-2 in their home games, 1-3 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be at a neutral site for this game. They won their last game against Ohio State 13-10. Davis Warren was the starting QB and he completed 9/16 passes for 62 passing yards, 0 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. Kalel Mullings led the team in rushing yards with 116 and 1 TD. Peyton O'Leary led the receivers with 18 receiving yards on 1 reception. Mason Graham led the defense in that game with 5 solo tackles and 2 assisted tackles while no one on the defense recorded a sack for them. Aamir Hall and Makari Paige each came away with 1 interception for them in that one.
Alabama vs Michigan Prediction
The current betting odds have Alabama listed as a 13.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Alabama has looked good in their games this season with their 9-3 record overall and their 5-3 conference record which has them in the top half of the SEC, but it wasn't enough to get them to the playoff this season. They were the first team out, but they are going to bring their best effort in this game to show that they should have been in the CFP. Meanwhile, Michigan has looked good in their games this season with their 7-5 record overall which was enough to get them to this game, but their 5-4 conference record only has them in the middle of the Big Ten. They were the National Champions last season, but they did lose their head coach along with a lot of talent to the NFL so this year was more of a re-tooling year anyway. They have a lot more players declaring for the draft too, and they ended the regular season with a huge win over their biggest rival, beating Ohio State on the road 13-10. Michigan already got their big win in their last one so they don't have much to play for here while Alabama feels like they should have been in the playoffs so they are going to show what the committee left out. The best way to place a bet here is on Alabama to cover the spread in this game.
Alabama Michigan Prediction: Our NCAAF Pick for Tuesday, December 31, 2024 (12:00 pm ET start time) is Alabama 30 Michigan 13.
Don't miss our champion handicappers free picks and expert football picks today. And if you enjoyed this Alabama Crimson Tide Michigan Wolverines prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our weekly NCAAF predictions and previews.
NCAAF Betting Trends
Alabama Crimson Tide: 23-16 ATS in all lined games. 21-15 ATS as a favorite. 7-4 ATS off a home win against a conference rival. 6-2 OVER when the total is between 42.5 and 49. 5-1 OVER after a bye week. 9-2 OVER off a home win against a conference rival. 13-6 OVER off a home win.
Michigan Wolverines: 4-8 ATS in non-conference games. 3-6 1H ATS off a road win against a conference rival. 4-7 1H ATS versus good rushing teams - averaging 4.75 rushing yards/carry or more. 6-3 OVER off a road win against a conference rival. 8-4 OVER after playing their last game on the road.
Key Injuries
Alabama Crimson Tide: B. Hampton (WR) Questionable - Undisclosed. A. Jefferson (WR) Questionable - Undisclosed. M. Moore (DB) Out - Undisclosed. D. Lawson (LB) Out - Undisclosed. Q. Robinson (LB) Out - Elbow. C. Adams (WR) Out - Lower Leg. K. Sabb (DB) Questionable - Lower Body.
Michigan Wolverines: B. Prieskorn (TE) Questionable - Undisclosed. B. Hall (RB) Questionable - Undisclosed. C. Charleston (WR) Questionable - Undisclosed. D. Edwards (RB) Out - Lower Body. C. Loveland (TE) Questionable - Undisclosed. W. Johnson (DB) Questionable - Lower Body. A. Walker (WR) Questionable - Undisclosed. M. Pollard (LB) Questionable - Undisclosed. J. Mangham (DB) Questionable - Undisclosed. J. McBurrows (DB) Out - Undisclosed. R. Moore (DB) Out - Knee.
Notable Quotes
“When you talk about the schedule week to week, it’s just a grind. And having to come back every week, that’s really the only conference that has to do that is ours. That’s what I would say.” - Kalen DeBoer after his team’s win against Auburn in their regular season finale.
“Our defense played outstanding. We held a high-powered offense to 10 points, 77 rushing yards.” - Sherrone Moore after his team’s win against Ohio State in their regular season finale.
Starting Lineups
Alabama Crimson Tide
WR Williams, Ryan
WR Scott, Rico
WR Bernard, Germie
TE Dippre, CJ
TE Ouzts, Robbie
QB Milroe, Jalen
RB Miller, Jam
Michigan Wolverines
WR Bell, Kendrick
WR O'Leary, Peyton
WR Morgan, Semaj
TE Klein, Marlin
QB Warren, Davis
RB Mullings, Kalel
Statistical Leaders
Alabama Crimson Tide
Passing: J. Milroe (2652)
Rushing: J. Milroe (719)
Receiving: R. Williams (857)
Touchdowns: J. Milroe (20)
Michigan Wolverines
Passing: D. Warren (1126)
Rushing: K. Mullings (948)
Receiving: C. Loveland (582)
Touchdowns: K. Mullings (12)
Coaches:
Alabama Crimson Tide: Kalen DeBoer (1st season)
Michigan Wolverines: Sherrone Moore (1st season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
