Alabama vs Michigan prediction & betting tips - Dec. 31 - ReliaQuest Bowl

The Alabama Crimson Tide will play the Michigan Wolverines in the ReliQuest Bowl on Tuesday at noon ET. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.

Alabama (9-3) ended the year with a 28–14 win over Auburn and just missed the playoffs. Michigan (7-5) ended the year with a 13–10 victory over Ohio State.

Alabama vs Michigan: Preview

Alabama is a 12.5-point favorite while the over/under is set for 43.5 points.

The Crimson Tide had a disappointing season as Alabama didn't make the College Football Playoff. However, the Crimson Tide has several impact players playing in the bowl game as the list of players not playing is as follows:

• Damon Payne, DL (transfer portal)
• Jaylen Mbakwe, DB (transfer portal)
• Dylan Lonergan, QB (transfer portal)
• Justice Haynes, RB (transfer portal)
• Hunter Osborne, DL (transfer portal)
• Kobe Prentice, WR (transfer portal)
• Jahlil Hurley, CB (transfer portal)
• Keanu Koht, EDGE (transfer portal)
• Jaheim Oatis, DL (transfer portal)

Jalen Milroe will start at quarterback for the Crimson Tide. Milroe went 189-for-287 for 2,652 yards, 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Alabama does have starting running back Jam Miller playing, but after Haynes entered the portal, the Crimson Tide have a thin backfield.

Michigan, meanwhile, ended the year with a stunning upset win over Ohio State. However, the Wolverines have several key players who are not playing because they declared for the draft.

• Donovan Edwards, RB (NFL draft)
• Andrew Gentry, OT (transfer portal)
• Cole Cabana, RB (transfer portal)
• Alex Orji, QB (transfer portal)
• Tommy Doman, P (transfer portal)
• Raheem Anderson, OL (transfer portal)
• Tavierre Dunlap, RB (transfer portal)
• Christian Boivin, LB (transfer portal)
• Mason Graham (NFL draft)
• Will Johnson (NFL draft)
• Colston Loveland (NFL draft)
• Josaiah Stewart (NFL draft)
• Myles Hinton (NFL draft)
• Kenneth Grant (NFL draft)

The Wolverines will start Davis Warren for the final time. This season, the former walk-on threw for 1,126 yards, six touchdowns and nine interceptions. Quarterback play was an issue for Michigan and they have addressed that by adding Bryce Underwood the No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2025.

Michigan's defense will be a major issue with Will Johnson, Kenneth Grant and Mason Graham all entering the NFL draft.

Milroe and Alabama's offense should be able to run all over the Wolverines' defense. Michigan has too many key players entering the draft and not playing in the game, as Alabama will cruise to a lopsided win here.

Prediction: Alabama 34, Michigan 13

Alabama vs Michigan: Betting tips

Tip 1: Alabama -12.5 (-110)

Tip 2: Over 43.5 points (-110)

Tip 3: Over 9.5 points first quarter (-120)