Rose Bowl 2024: Latest Odds, Prediction for Alabama vs. Michigan Playoff

The Michigan Wolverines have had no trouble reaching the College Football Playoff in the last three years.

The three-time reigning Big Ten champion experienced difficulties once it reached the playoff, as it suffered losses to the Georgia Bulldogs and TCU Horned Frogs.

Michigan comes into its third CFB Playoff berth as the No. 1 seed for the first time, but it has arguably the tougher matchup of the top two seeds in the Rose Bowl against the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Alabama knocked off the previous top-ranked team in the CFB Playoff rankings, the Georgia Bulldogs, to confirm its playoff position.

The Crimson Tide were one of the most improved teams in the FBS from September to December, and they will challenge a Michigan defense that has been excellent all season.

Michigan knows exactly how it wants to control any game, and if it succeeds at that and takes Alabama out of a rhythm, it will finally find itself in the CFB Playoff National Championship Game.

Spread: Michigan -1.5

Over/Under: 45.5

Money Line: Michigan (-122; bet $122 to win $100); Alabama (+102; bet $100 to win $102)

Michigan produced a 38-1 record in its last three regular seasons, but it is 0-2 in the CFB Playoff.

The Wolverines were outplayed by Georgia two years ago and lost a high-scoring affair versus TCU last season.

Jim Harbaugh's team carries plenty of experience into the Rose Bowl, but it now it needs to follow through on the lofty goals it set for itself.

Michigan has a clear path to victory, and it is one that was followed throughout the regular season.

The Wolverines love to control the clock with a methodical and dominant rushing attack and with a strong defense.

That was a successful strategy for a majority of the season, including in the 26-0 win in the Big Ten Championship Game over the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Michigan had the ball for 36 minutes and 22 seconds and it forced three turnovers out of the Hawkeyes.

The Wolverines had the ball for 33 minutes in their biggest conference triumphs over the Penn State Nittany Lions and Ohio State Buckeyes.

Blake Corum ran for two touchdowns in each of the wins over Ohio State and Penn State. He will relied on to move the ball down the field once again on New Years' Day.

J.J. McCarthy will be asked to make a few clutch throws as well, but if he gets dragged into a pass-heavy battle with Jalen Milroe, the Wolverines will be at a disadvantage because they would be pulled out of their style of play.

Alabama turned in its best performance of the season in the SEC Championship Game.

The Crimson Tide contained the Georgia offense to 321 yards, and they forced the former top-ranked team to come from behind in the fourth quarter.

Alabama's defense allowed just 10 points in the first three quarters, and it rushed out to a 10-point lead at halftime.

The Crimson Tide defense needs to play at that same level in the Rose Bowl to force Michigan out of an offensive rhythm.

Nick Saban's team is capable of that type of performance, but it has not been on display all season.

Alabama was in difficulty against the Auburn Tigers in the Iron Bowl because of a 24-point concession and it was ripped apart by Jayden Daniels and the LSU Tigers offense on November 4 before the quarterback suffered a fourth-quarter injury.

Saban knows what it takes to prepare his team for a playoff game, and that is what makes Alabama so scary of an opponent to Michigan.

Jalen Milroe also displayed improvement over the season. He delivered the most important throw of Alabama's season on the game-winning touchdown against Auburn and he completed at least 65 percent of his passes in five of the last six games.

Milroe has the potential to lead Alabama to a victory, but if Michigan's defense takes over, the quarterback may not have a chance to lead another comeback.

Michigan 24, Alabama 20

Michigan has been the more consistent of the two Rose Bowl participants all season.

The Wolverines asserted their will against all of their opponents, and that is what makes them so dangerous not just against Alabama, but in the CFB Playoff National Championship Game as well.

Michigan should use a heavy dose of Corum and benefit from a few clutch throws out of McCarthy to pull off a Rose Bowl victory.

Alabama should keep the contest close, but it may not see enough of the ball in the second half to conquer Michigan.

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