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ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI) has updated its prediction for the winner of Alabama vs. Michigan in the ReliaQuest Bowl.
FPI sees the Crimson Tide as a significant favorite this game, giving them an 80.8% chance to win outright. This game is a rematch of last year’s Rose Bowl, which Michigan won en route to what became a 15-0 season. That game proved to be the final game of Nick Saban’s legendary coaching career.
The rematch will be the final season of Kalen DeBoer’s maiden season at Alabama. The Crimson Tide went 9-3 this season, narrowly missing out on the College Football Playoff. They were the first team left out of the 12-team field in favor of an SMU team that went 11-2 prior to losing in the Playoff to Penn State last weekend.
Michigan did not have a successful title defense, as the Wolverines went just 7-5 in their first season under coach Sherrone Moore. However, they did end the year on a high note by beating Ohio State in Columbus to notch their 4th straight win over the Buckeyes.
The all-time series record between these storied programs is knotted at 3 wins apiece.
Alabama is a 12-point favorite over the Wolverines, according to the latest lines from DraftKings. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. ET on New Year’s Eve.
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Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
