Michigan vs. Alabama Rose Bowl availability report released
The Michigan Wolverines and Alabama Crimson Tide do battle on New Year’s Day in the Rose Bowl with U-M releasing its conference-mandated availability report two hours ahead of kickoff. As expected, the team is ready to roll with a rosy injury outlook.
Senior guard Zak Zinter is out with a broken leg suffered against Ohio State, while freshman cornerback DJ Waller is listed as questionable. Alabama is not required to drop an injury report prior to contests.
Here is the full report released by U-M.
MICHIGAN AVAILABILITY REPORT
OUT
Senior guard Zak Zinter
QUESTIONABLE
Freshman cornerback DJ Waller
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).
