Alabama was 2-3 in away games as they meet Michigan with both teams missing players to the transfer portal and NFL draft. Michigan was playing well at the end of the season beating Ohio State and Northwestern and a close one with Indiana that they lost 20-15. They were a different team with a different attitude than earlier in the season. What sticks out to me with Alabama is they lost to Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Vanderbilt, and the Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe threw 4 interceptions in his last two games and had no touchdown passes. Michigan despite the slow start has always been solid with the run ranking this year No. 3 at 92 yards allowed per game and No. 14 overall in defense.

Last year, these two teams squared off in an overtime thriller to determine which team would play for the National Championship. Michigan held on, beat Kalen DeBoer's Washington team to win it all, and now the stakes are a lot lower. Both teams have been ravaged by opt-outs and the transfer portal, but Alabama will still have the two best players on the field in quarterback Jalen Milroe and dynamic freshman wide receiver Ryan Williams. Assuming Milroe doesn't opt out late, I don't see how Michigan can keep up in this game without its best players. The Crimson Tide roll and both the school and DeBoer get some level of payback against the Wolverines. Alabama 27, Michigan 10