There are no unanimous opinions about college football. One of the few things that comes close to unanimity is the national disdain for the Alabama Football program. With so many Bama-Haters, it should be easy to find predictions for Michigan to beat the Alabama Crimson Tide in the ReliaQuest Bowl. Not only is it not easy, but checking out Michigan fan sites and Google searches revealed zero predictions of a Michigan upset.
The SB Nation, Maize N Brew site offered four staff predictions. Not only were all four predictions of a Crimson Tide win, but the four staff members agreed that they did not care which team won. To the question, “Do you truly care if Michigan wins or loses this game?” summarized answers are listed below.
- “… it would be nice if they won, but my day won’t be ruined if they lose”
- “I only care because it’s Alabama. Alabama’s fans have been the most annoying all season long for constantly playing the hypothetical game and dunking on the Indiana’s and SMU’s of the world with a results-based argument.”
- “No. The CFP ruined non-playoff bowl games.”
- “I will always want a Michigan win. Nonetheless, the win is meaningless in the grand scheme of things.”
Alabama football fans would not be wrong to describe the responses as a loser’s mentality. Still, if the Crimson Tide were missing half of its starters, as is Michigan, at least some Alabama fans would jump on a gloom and doom bandwagon.
The score predictions from the Maize N Brew staff have the Wolverines losing by a margin of 17 to 25 points.
Chris Peterson, writing for GBM Wolverine, predicts a similar outcome: a 28-13 win for the Crimson Tide. Peterson provides optimism that the game will be competitive: “Even without four projected first-round picks on defense, Michigan football still has enough to make it interesting. … It will stay tight for a half or so, but Alabama will pull away in the fourth quarter. Michigan is just too short-handed.”
It could be a mistake to think Alabama, having something to prove, has a big motivation advantage. Michigan’s many backups have something to prove as well. There should be plenty of fight in the Wolverines. Alabama’s talent advantage should be enough for a two (or more) touchdown win, but a deep rotation at several positions might limit the Crimson Tide’s superiority.
Alabama Football vs. Michigan Wolverines ReliaQuest Bowl Prediction
Alabama Crimson Tide 31 – Michigan Wolverines 13
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