Two of college football's biggest brands meet Monday in a highly-anticipated showdown, as Michigan takes on Alabama in the CFP Semifinal at the Rose Bowl Game. The two programs have met only two times since 2012, with Alabama having won both of those games, most recently coming in January of 2020 by a final score of 35-16.
Led by head coach Jim Harbaugh, Michigan is ranked as the nation's No. 1 team according to the final College Football Playoff Rankings, and are sitting undefeated at 13-0 overall for the season. Michigan is also the Big Ten champions, and finished undefeated in conference play at 10-0 during the regular season.
The Wolverines have one of the Big Ten's top offenses averaging 36.7 PPG for the year led by starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy, as well as running back Blake Corum who leads the nation with 24 rushing touchdowns this season. In addition to those two, Donovan Edwards is a name to know alongside Corum in Michigan's backfield, while the top pass catchers are Roman Wilson, Colston Loveland, and Cornelius Johnson.
Michigan's defense however ranks No. 1 nationally by allowing only 9.5 PPG to opponents, and are led in tackles by the trio of Junior Colson, Michael Barrett, and Ernest Hausmann. The Wolverines top pass rushers are Jaylen Harrell, Derrick Moore, and Josaiah Stewart, while others such as Kris Jenkins, Makari Paige, and Mike Sainristil are all names to know.
On special teams, Michigan's kicker is one of the top players at the position in the Big Ten in James Turner, while Tommy Doman averages 44.6 YPP at punter. Semaj Morgan is the Wolverines primary kickoff returner, while the punt return duties have been split between both Jake Thaw and Tyler Morris.
Led by head coach Nick Saban, Alabama is ranked as the nation's No. 4 team according to the final College Football Playoff Rankings, and are sitting at 12-1 overall for the season. The SEC champions, Alabama also finished the regular season undefeated at 9-0 in conference play, and have won 11-straight games since suffering their Week 2 home loss to Texas.
One of the top offenses in the SEC averaging 35.1 PPG, Alabama is led by quarterback Jalen Milroe, who has accounted for 35 total touchdowns so far this season. The Crimson Tide also have a pair of running backs in Jase McClellan and Roydell Williams, as well as two prominent wide receivers in the duo of Jermaine Burton and Isaiah Bond.
Defensively, Alabama is allowing 18.4 PPG to opponents, and feature one of the nation's top pass rushing trios in Dallas Turner, Chris Braswell, and Justin Eboigbe that has a combined 24 sacks so far this season. Leading the Crimson Tide in tackles is freshman safety Caleb Downs with 99, while others such as Jihaad Campbell, Terrion Arnold, Deontae Lawson, and Kool-Aid McKinstry are also among the additional names to know.
On special teams, Alabama has one of the nation's top duos in kicker Will Reichard and punter James Burnip, as well as a kick returner averaging 25 YPR in Kendrick Law. The punt return duties have been split between the aformentioned McKinstry and Downs so far this season.
Michigan vs. Alabama Line, Spread, Over/Under
According to FanDuel, Michigan is a 1.5-point favorite over Alabama as of Friday, December 29, with the over/under at 44.5. The Wolverines are at -130, while Alabama sits at +108.
Michigan vs. Alabama CFP Semifinal at the Rose Bowl Game Prediction
With a trip to the CFP National Championship Game on the line, the pick to win the Rose Bowl goes to Alabama. The Wolverines have lost a CFP Semifinal each of the past two seasons (against Georgia and TCU in 2021 and 2022, respectively), and I'll say that moves to three-straight years Monday, with Alabama claiming the win behind a big game from quarterback Jalen Milroe. Prediction: Michigan 17, Alabama 28
What Channel is the Michigan vs. Alabama Game On?
The CFP Semifinal at the Rose Bowl Game between Michigan and Alabama will be played Monday, January 1, 2024 from the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA. Kickoff is set for 5:00 PM ET, with the game available on ESPN.
Michigan vs. Alabama Live Stream
Michigan vs. Alabama can be found on fuboTV here.
Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change