Alabama vs Michigan Picks: Bet Tide to Win, Wolverines to Cover December 31
- Get the best Michigan vs Alabama betting lines at BetUS.
- Alabama is a double-digit favorite against Michigan.
- Read on for my Michigan vs Alabama college football picks.



A pair of storied college football teams will square off in the Reliaquest Bowl a year ago Michigan and Alabama met in the semifinals of the College Football Playoffs with the Crimson Tide favored by double digits by the college football odds.
Three of the last four meetings between Alabama and Michigan took place in Jan. 1 bowl games, with Michigan winning two of those matchups. Two of the previous three bowl matchups were decided by seven points or less.
Per Alabama vs Michigan betting tips, three of the last four times that the Wolverines met up with the Crimson Tide, the game landed over the total.
Tampa Ready. 🛫🌴🌊🏈 pic.twitter.com/IhxyYjrAHl
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) December 26, 2024
Alabama is favored by 12.5 points with -450 odds to win its first bowl game against Michigan since the 2020 Citrus Bowl. Michigan is priced at +355 to win bowl games in back-to-back seasons for the first time since the 1999 and 2000 seasons.
Let’s take a look at my top three college football picks today for this game.
Reliaquest Bowl Game Information
- Game: Alabama (9-3) vs Michigan (7-5)
- Date/Time: Tuesday, Dec. 31, noon ET
- Location: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
- Alabama vs Michigan Live Stream: Fubo.Tv
Check the latest college football news before betting on this game.
Michigan vs Alabama 3 Best Bets
1. Michigan +12.5 (-110)
Even though Michigan upset Ohio State in its regular-season finale, the Wolverines figured to have their hands full against Alabama without a full roster to work with.
With tight end Colston Loveland, defensive lineman Mason Graham and cornerback Will Johnson all opting out after declaring for the NFL Draft, the degree of difficulty went up.
Gooding’s Colston Loveland was “ready to start the process” of the NFL Draft. https://t.co/Cfri7zhQ4Z
— KMVT Sports (@KMVTSports) December 17, 2024
It is always hard to gauge how much players who began the season with national championship aspirations will approach late-December bowl games. That is the case for both Alabama and Michigan.
When making Dec. 31 bowl picks, Alabama is a solid choice to win outright but the -450 odds might scare people off.
It might be better to go with Michigan to cover as a 12.5-point underdog in the BetUS Sportsbook odds.
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2. Go With Michigan-Alabama to Land Over 43.5
Alabama is in the middle of the pack in the SEC total defense stats but fourth in scoring defense so finishing off drives against the Crimson Tide can be a tough task.
Alabama bounced back from being limited to three points in a loss to Oklahoma that kept the Crimson Tide out of the College Football Playoff by scoring 28 points against Auburn.
Michigan was held under 20 points in three of its last four games but with the total set at 43.5, taking the ReliaQuest bowl to land over could be the way to proceed as young offensive players on both teams will get chances to show their first-year head coaches that they deserve long looks heading into next season.
Bet This Pick: Michigan-Alabama Game to Land Over 43.5 (-110)
3. Best Game Prop: Neither Team To Score Three Times In A Row (+186)
This has not been the most enjoyable season for fans of Michigan, which went from going undefeated and winning a national championship to struggling to become bowl-eligible.
However, since being on the wrong end of a 38-17 loss to top-ranked Oregon, Michigan has allowed 36 points in the last three games.
Although some key defensive players might be missing, look for the Wolverines to hang around.
When looking at the college football best bets, take a look at the +186 odds for neither Alabama nor Michigan to score three times in a row.
Bet This Pick: Neither Alabama Nor Michigan To Score Three Times In A Row (+186)
Michigan vs Alabama Score Prediction
Alabama 27, Michigan 20
Questions of the Day
Which team has a better record against the spread this season, Alabama or Michigan?
Alabama is 7-5 against the college football spread this season. Michigan has covered in just five of 12 games.
When is the last time that Alabama lost as a betting favorite in a bowl game?
Alabama fell to Clemson 44-16 when favored by five points in the 2019 national title game.
Odds and information are accurate at the time of writing. Please check with official sources for the latest updates before placing any bets.