College Football Playoffs: What Makes Michigan-Alabama So Fascinating
USA TODAY Sports' Dan Wolken previews Alabama vs. Michigan and why it should be an exciting College Football Playoff.
After weeks of controversy and debate, it's time for the College Football Playoff semifinals, and the New Year's slate begins with a game of No. 1 Michigan vs. No. 4 Alabama in the “granddaddy of them all”: the Rose Bowl Game.
Despite the ongoing investigation into the sign-stealing scandal, the Wolverines are back in the playoffs for the third straight season, finishing the regular season as one of three undefeated teams (Washington and Liberty). Michigan will look to make its first appearance in the College Football Playoff, with its last two appearances resulting in semifinal losses.
It was one of the most controversial decisions in playoff history, but Alabama is back in the picture after a year-long absence. The Crimson Tide, which capped a dominant second half of the season with a win over defending champion Georgia, will make its record eighth playoff appearance. They are also the first team to be ranked 7th or higher in conference championship week and still make the College Football Playoff.
The two college football powerhouses meet Monday afternoon in Southern California, with a spot in the national championship game in Houston on the line in the final season of the four-team playoffs.
USA TODAY Sports brings you the latest updates, scores, highlights, wild plays, analysis and more throughout the semifinals. Follow us from Pasadena, California:
This section will be updated after each scoring game.
USA TODAY Sports will follow updates, highlights and more from the 2024 Rose Bowl below.
Michigan sacked Jalen Milroe twice in the opener
The Michigan defensive line broke right through the line and Braiden McGregor sacked Jalen Milroe for 13 yards on the Crimson Tide's first offensive play.
A few plays later, Milroe was pressured again when Josaiah Stewart got an 11-yard sack to force a three-and-out. -Jordan Mendoza
The Crimson Tide had almost the perfect start.
Michigan began the Rose Bowl with the ball, but the start seemed to be a disaster as JJ McCarthy was picked off by Alabama's Caleb Downs on the first play of the game.
However, the play was reviewed and Downs was out of bounds on the catch, giving the Wolverines a big breakthrough. They weren't able to do much, hitting a three-pointer and a punt on the first drive against Alabama. -Jordan Mendoza
Here's how to watch Michigan vs. Alabama in the College Football Playoff in the Rose Bowl
Kickoff is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. ET on ESPN.
As with most years, ESPN will megacast all of the action from the semifinals, allowing viewers to watch the game in a variety of ways. Options include Field Pass with “The Pat McAfee Show,” which will feature alternative game commentary and guests, and Skycast camera directly above the field. Here are the other ways to watch the game and where to watch it:
- ESPN: Main broadcast
- ESPN2: Field Pass with “The Pat McAfee Show”
- ESPNEWS: Skycast – above the field and usually behind the offense
- ESPNU: Command Center – a multi-angle presentation with statistics
- ESPN App: All-22 Camera
- ESPN app: Michigan home radio show
- ESPN app and SEC Network: Alabama home radio show
What New Year's college football games are happening today?
Here are the kickoff times and TV information for the Jan. 1 bowl games, including the College Football Playoff games.
- ReliaQuest Bowl: Wisconsin vs. No. 13 LSU, ESPN2, 12 p.m
- Citrus peel: No. Iowa vs. No. 23 Tennessee, ABC, 1 p.m
- Fiesta Bowl: No. 20 Liberty vs. No. 8 Oregon, ESPN, 1 p.m
- College Football Playoff Semifinals (Rose Bowl): No. 4 Alabama vs. No. 1 Michigan, ESPN, 5 p.m
- College Football Playoff Semifinals (Sugar Bowl): No. 3 Texas vs. No. 2 Washington, ESPN, 8 p.m
BOWL LINEUP: Complete schedule/scores for every postseason game
Here are our expert picks for the College Football Playoff semifinals:
- Scooby Axson: Alabama
- Jace Evans: Alabama
- Paul Myerberg: Alabama
- Erick Smith: Alabama
- Eddie Timanus: Alabama
- Dan Wolken: Alabama
College Football Playoffs: Rose Bowl Odds
According to BetMGM odds, the Michigan Wolverines are the favorites to defeat the Alabama Crimson Tide. Would you like to bet? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps, including the new ESPN BET app.
- Spread: Michigan (-1.5)
- Money line: Michigan (-120); Alabama (+100)
- Over/under: 44.5
If you are new to sports betting, don’t worry. Our college football betting guide can get you started, and we have tips for beginners on how to place a bet online. And USA TODAY readers can claim exclusive promotions and bonus codes from online sportsbooks and sports betting sites.
Does Jim Harbaugh coach in the Rose Bowl?
The Wolverines will have their head coach in the semifinals as Jim Harbaugh will be on the sidelines in Pasadena.
Harbaugh has missed six games this season due to a suspension, starting with Michigan's first three games of the season against East Carolina, UNLV and Bowling Green. The suspension was self-imposed by Michigan as Harbaugh is reportedly being disciplined by the NCAA for investigating possible recruiting violations and misleading NCAA investigators. He returned for the Big Ten's opening game against Rutgers.
As a result of the sign-stealing scandal, Harbaugh was suspended by the Big Ten for the final three games of the regular season and missed contests against Penn State, Maryland and rival Ohio State, all of which were won. The 59-year-old coach returned for the Wolverines in the Big Ten Championship Game against Iowa.
What uniforms will Michigan, Alabama wear in the Rose Bowl?
Two traditional bluebloods will be sporting their traditional costumes at the Rose Bowl on Monday. Alabama will wear its red helmet with white jersey and white pants, while Michigan will wear its classic blue and maize helmet with blue jerseys and maize pants. Michigan also uses a retro detail with the Rose Bowl patch on the shoulder pads in honor of the 1998 national championship team.
How did Michigan get into the College Football Playoff?
Despite all the scandals surrounding the program, Michigan did not lose focus en route to a perfect season capped by its third straight Big Ten title.
During their 13-0 season, the Wolverines were dominant on both ends. The offense ranks 14th nationally with 36.7 points per game, while the defense ranks first in scoring with just 9.5 points allowed per game and is the only team giving up fewer than 10 points per game. Michigan has won its games by an average margin of 27.2 points, the best in the FBS.
Michigan defeated previously undefeated Ohio State 30-24 in the regular season finale, securing its third straight victory over its rival and securing a berth in the Big Ten Championship Game. There, the Wolverines defeated Iowa 26-0.
Georgia's loss in the SEC Championship Game moved Michigan to No. 1 in the College Football Playoff rankings, placing it in first place for the first time since 1997.
How did Alabama get into the College Football Playoff?
The chances seemed slim, but Alabama was able to get back into the playoffs after a less than ideal start to the season.
Alabama fell to Texas and had quarterback issues early in the season, but the team patched things up with Jalen Milroe taking over the starting lineup before SEC play. The Crimson Tide rattled off 11 straight wins after a 1-1 start and secured another SEC West title against the back-to-back defending champion Georgia Bulldogs.
In the SEC Championship Game, Alabama stunned Georgia by defeating the Bulldogs. The win made the difference in the College Football Playoff: the Crimson Tide rose from No. 7 in the rankings to No. 4, marking the first time that a team was ranked higher than that prior to the final publication of the rankings took sixth place, In made it.
Michigan College Football Playoff History
The Rose Bowl will mark Michigan's third straight playoff appearance, but luck hasn't been the best. The Wolverines are 0-2 in playoff games and lost to TCU in the Fiesta Bowl last season.
Here's Michigan's history in the College Football Playoff:
- 2021 Orange Bowl (semifinals): Lost to Georgia, 34-11
- 2022 Fiesta Bowl (semifinals): Lost to TCU, 51-45
Alabama College Football Playoff History
Since the inception of the College Football Playoff in 2014, no one has been better than Alabama.
The Crimson Tide will be making their record eighth playoff appearance, as they have been in every playoff edition except 2019 and 2022. Alabama also has nine College Football Playoff wins and three championships, the most in playoff history.
Here's what Alabama accomplished in each College Football Playoff appearance:
- 2014-15: Lost to Ohio State in semifinals
- 2015-16: National Championship
- 2016-17: Lost to Clemson in national championship game
- 2017-18: National Championship
- 2018–2019: Lost to Clemson in national championship game
- 2020-21: National Championship
- 2021-22: Lost to Georgia in national championship game
History of the Michigan vs. Alabama series
The 2024 Rose Bowl will mark the sixth time that Alabama and Michigan have met on the football field, with the Crimson Tide holding a 3-2 lead in the series.
The two schools have mostly met in bowl games, including their most recent meeting in the 2020 Citrus Bowl. Alabama won that game 35-16. Here's the series history between the two powerhouses:
- 1988 Hall of Fame Bowl: Michigan 28, Alabama 24
- 1997 Outback Bowl: Alabama 17, Michigan 14
- 2000 Orange Bowl: Michigan 35, Alabama 34
- 2012: Alabama 41, Michigan 14 in Arlington, Texas
- 2020 Citrus Bowl: Alabama 35, Michigan 16
Monday's matchup will also be between the schools with the most wins in college football history. Michigan has the most wins with 1,002, while Alabama is second with 965.
Jim Harbaugh has led Michigan to arguably its greatest heights
Winner of three straight Big Ten Championships, something never accomplished before in program history.
Three straight wins against rival Ohio State for the first time since 1995-97.
Three consecutive College Football Playoff appearances.
Win or lose in the Rose Bowl matchup on New Year's Day against Alabama, three consecutive top-five finishes for the first time in the poll era.
Even without a national championship, this could be considered the most successful three-year run in the modern era of Michigan football.
– Read more from Paul Myerberg here.
Alabama is keeping quiet before the game against Michigan
The Connor Stalions effect still appears to be affecting Michigan's opponents.
During Thursday's media session to kick off College Football Playoff semifinal week at the Rose Bowl, several Alabama players said the coaching staff prevented them from taking their iPads home to watch practice film and only watched together in position groups for safety reasons .
It is unclear why Alabama would go to such lengths, as the sign-stealing allegations against Michigan this season centered on Stalions using a network of associates to film the sideline of opponents and potential opponents during games in an attempt to Decipher signals. In-person scouting is prohibited by NCAA rules.
But Alabama's departure from its normal preparation is notable considering the focus throughout the season has been on Michigan's alleged spying abilities.
– Read more from Dan Wolken here.
College football fix
There was controversy when the College Football Playoff semifinal pairings were announced earlier this month, but the matchups could be the best in the playoff era.
The first showdown on New Year's Day sees Michigan face Alabama in the Rose Bowl. The nightcap pits Texas and Washington against each other in the Sugar Bowl. Which teams will prevail and advance to the national title game in Houston on January 8th?
USA TODAY Sports' Dan Wolken and Paul Myerberg discuss these topics and more in this week's version of College Football Fix.