For what is the second time this season, the Alabama Crimson Tide are set to face an opponent from the Big Ten conference in the coming days, as the program meets the Michigan Wolverines in Tampa, Florida for the ReliaQuest Bowl.
Yes, after a dominant road win over the Wisconsin Badgers earlier this season, Alabama will play what is their second Big Ten team during the 2024 campaign when they face Michigan in the coming days. This will also be the second consecutive season that the Crimson Tide and Wolverines have met in bowl play, facing off last season in the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Rose Bowl.
A Michigan team that went on to win the national championship, the Wolverines this season have taken a step backwards however, finishing the regular season unranked with a 7-5 overall record, as well as a 5-4 mark in Big Ten play. Even despite that however, make no mistake, the Wolverines do have talent across the roster, and are coming off a regular season finale in which they upset the rival Ohio State Buckeyes in Columbus.
So, ahead of the New Year’s Eve showdown in Tampa, let’s take a look at five Wolverines to know ahead of the ReliaQuest Bowl that will be playing against Alabama.
The Wolverines have two running backs that make significant impacts in 2024, the first of which is graduate student Kalel Mullings. Michigan’s leading rusher, Mullings is in the midst of a career-year that includes 185 rushes for 948 yards and 12 touchdowns, while also having caught six passes for 35 yards, as well as having returned three kickoffs for 74 yards.
Michigan’s leading tackler this season, junior linebacker Ernest Hausmann is arguably the name to know for the Wolverines defense going into this game. The former Nebraska Cornhuskers transfer is enjoying a career-year with the Wolverines in which he has recorded a team-high 82 tackles with seven TFL, two sacks, one interception, and one PD.
The Wolverines also have another linebacker that Alabama fans need to know Jaishawn Barham, a junior as well. Barham, a transfer from the Maryland Terrapins, is Michigan’s second-leading tackler at 65 for the season, while also having recorded four TFL, one sack, and two PD in what is one of the top years of his collegiate career so far.
Michigan’s most productive pass rusher this season has been senior Josaiah Stewart, who is an edge rusher. Stewart is currently leading the Wolverines with 13 TFL and 8.5 sacks on the year, while also having amassed 33 total tacklesLastly, the quarterback position has been a struggle for Michigan at times this season, with senior Davis Warren the name who has seen the most action for the Wolverines in 2024. The senior is likely not a threat to run the ball, and has struggled at times this season with turnovers, completing 63.5% of passes with nine interceptions compared to only six touchdowns.
