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Newsstand: Final Vegas odds revealed ahead of Rose Bowl

Anthony Broomeby: Anthony Broome01/01/24anthonytbroome

The Michigan Wolverines and Alabama Crimson Tide meet in the Rose Bowl semifinal of the College Football Playoff on Jan. 1 in Pasadena with a trip to Houston on the line. Hours before kickoff, the line has moved in favor of Michigan

According to the FanDuel Sportsbook, Michigan has moved up to a 2.5-point favorite over Alabama with the over/under set at 45.5 total points scored between the two teams. U-M opened as a 2.5-point favorite with the over/under set at 46 when the initial odds were revealed, but the line moved down to 1.5 in recent weeks. It’s back up as of Monday morning.

Of course, the most notable aspect of the game might be postseason success, or lack thereof, between opponents. Alabama has won its last six College Football Playoff semifinal appearances by an average of around 19 points per contest. When they get to this spot, they have a habit of decidedly handling business. Michigan, on the other hand, is 0-6 in its last six bowl games, including a pair of losses in the College Football Playoff over the last two years.

Alabama also has the most recent victory in the series over Michigan, a 35-16 decision in the Citrus Bowl on Jan. 1, 2020. The Crimson Tide hold a 3-2 all-time mark against Michigan with the 2020 victory, in addition to a win in the season opener in 2012 (41-14) and the Outback Bowl in 1997 (17-14). Michigan’s wins in the series have come in 2000 in the Orange Bowl (35-34) and a 1988 victory in the Hall of Fame Bowl (28-24).

Tweets of the day

Michigan quote of the day

“Wake up tomorrow, and everybody has their own approach to game day. JJ has one. Other guys have a different approach. Just going to have to go through our routine and then get to the stadium, and then it’s like new. You’re in a new setting, and it takes five or ten minutes to adjust. But at some point you’ve got to lock in and you’ve got to get the rhythm. Rhythm, get the rhythm, get the freaking rhythm, and then toe meets leather and it’s on. I never worry about our guys once the game starts because I know that they’re going to react and do what they do and do it really well. Yeah, can’t wait for that moment. Can’t wait to watch our guys compete in this game.”

– Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh on Rose Bowl prep and readiness

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