Michigan vs Alabama CFP Semifinal Early Odds and Preview: Oddsmakers Give #1 Wolverines the Edge for Rose Bowl

The College Football Playoff semifinals are set, and in the first semifinal, two of the biggest names in the game will meet in the Rose Bowl. But instead of Michigan meeting undefeated Florida State in Pasadena, the #1 Wolverines will meet Alabama on New Year's Day after the SEC champion Crimson Tide got the nod over the ACC champion Seminoles.

With a 12-team playoff set to begin next year, the committee's deliberations will be a bit different going forward.

But Alabama's SEC Championship Game upset of Georgia, combined with FSU's loss of star quarterback Jordan Travis to a broken leg two weeks ago, led to an unprecedented decision that resulted in delight in Tuscaloosa and devastation in Tallahassee.

Prior to this year, no undefeated Power 5 champion had been left out of the CFP, and no team had made up as much ground in the final rankings as Alabama, who was ranked eighth in the penultimate rankings release.

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So, the 12-1 Tide, who have won 11 straight games since a home loss to fellow playoff participant Texas on September 9, will face Michigan, who moved from second to first in the final rankings due to Georgia's loss to Alabama.

This showdown will be the sixth all-time meeting between the top two winningest programs in college football and the first since the 2020 Citrus Bowl.

Early odds for the matchup have the Wolverines, who are in the CFP semis for the third straight season, favored by a slight margin over the Tide, who will be making their eighth semifinal appearance and attempting to win their seventh national championship under head coach Nick Saban.

Michigan vs Alabama Early Odds

Odds are courtesy of Bovada.

Spread

• Michigan -2 (-110)
• Alabama +2 (-110)

Over/Under

• Over 46 (-110)
• Under 46 (-110)

Moneyline

• Michigan -120
• Alabama +100

Michigan vs Alabama All-Time Head-to-Head History

• 1/1/2020 (2020 Citrus Bowl): 35-16 Crimson Tide
• 9/1/2012: 41-14 Crimson Tide
• 1/1/2000 (2000 Orange Bowl): 35-34 Wolverines
• 1/1/1997 (1997 Outback Bowl): 17-14 Crimson Tide
• 1/2/1988 (1988 Hall of Fame Bowl): 28-24 Wolverines

Top Players for Michigan

Michigan Offense

• QB J.J. McCarthy: 213 of 287 (74.2%), 2631 yards, 19 TD, 4 INT passing; 57 attempts, 146 yards (2.6 YPA), 3 TD rushing
• RB Blake Corum: 218 attempts, 1026 yards (4.7 YPA), 24 TD rushing; 14 catches, 82 yards (5.9 YPC)
• WR Roman Wilson: 41 catches, 662 yards (16.1 YPC), 11 TD

Michigan Defense

• LB Junior Colson: 79 tackles
• DB Mike Sainristil: 30 tackles, 4 TFL, 2 sacks, 5 INT, 2 forced fumbles, 2 TD
• DL Jaylen Harrell: 28 tackles, 8 TFL, 6.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles

In the Big Ten Championship Game, Michigan blanked Iowa 26-0. That might not move the needle for many, given that the Hawkeyes are not exactly an offensive juggernaut. But it was the ninth time this season that the Wolverines allowed ten or fewer points, and they rank first in the FBS in scoring defense.

Offensively, McCarthy has established himself as a potential first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

But after having one of the leading rushing attacks last season, Michigan is only 60th in the FBS in rushing yards per game this season. Corum has racked up the touchdowns again, but yards have been harder to come by for both he and Donovan Edwards, who is averaging less than half as many yards a carry this season (3.5) as he did last season (7.1).

Top Players for Alabama

Alabama Offense

• QB Jalen Milroe: 171 of 261 (65.5%), 2718 yards, 23 TD, 6 INT passing; 140 attempts, 468 yards (3.3 YPA), 12 TD
• WR Jermaine Burton: 35 catches, 777 yards (22.2 YPC), 8 TD
• RB Jase McClellan: 166 attempts, 803 yards (4.8 YPA), 6 TD rushing; 13 catches, 126 yards (9.7 YPC)

Alabama Defense

• S Caleb Downs: 99 tackles, 3.5 TFL
• CB Terrion Arnold: 61 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 5 INT, 11 pass breakups
• LB Dallas Turner: 50 tackles, 13.5 TFL, 9 sacks, 2 forced fumbles

What a turnaround it has been for Milroe, who found himself benched after the loss to Texas.

The sophomore from Katy, Texas responded to the benching as well as Saban would have hoped and made numerous big plays to put Alabama in position to reach the CFP, including his 4th and 31 toss to Isaiah Bond to win the Iron Bowl at Auburn.

Where to Bet on College Football

Most top online sportsbooks offer a wide variety of college football odds throughout the season, including on the two CFP semifinal matchups between Michigan and Alabama and Washington and Texas.

In addition to being able to make weekly college football picks all the way from Week Zero to the College Football Playoff National Championship, you can also bet on Heisman Trophy odds, conference championship odds, win totals, and much more.

There are plenty of sports betting sites you can choose from that are good for college football betting. Below are some of the books that we highly recommend:

• BetDSI
• BetOnline
• BetUS
• Bookmaker
• MyBookie
• Sportsbetting.ag

If you don't have an account at a book on this list, check out our reviews to help you determine if it is worth your interest and your betting funds.

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