The first round of the College Football Playoff and most of FBS bowl season has already wrapped up. It's time for some of the best teams in college football to shine as we head into 2025.

Alabama and Michigan might not have made the College Football Playoff, but they're still two of the most talented rosters in the nation. Kalen DeBoer and his Alabama Crimson Tide are set to face off against Sherrone Moore and the Michigan Wolverines in the Reliaquest Bowl in what should be a fun match between two of the biggest brands in the sport.

Betting markets and experts all over college football have Alabama running away with this one, favored by 12.5 points as of this writing, but is that fair? What's with that? Didn't Michigan just beat Ohio State in their latest game? Yes. However, the Wolverines are likely going to be without some of their best players headed to the NFL Draft like Mason Graham, Colston Loveland, Will Johnson, and Kenneth Grant. Will the remaining players be able to hang with the perceived superior talent set of Alabama?

Heading into this exciting matchup between two powers, media members of A to Z Sports who cover both teams decided to weigh in, sharing their somewhat surprising predictions for this big game. The picks are in. Enjoy!

Alabama 27, Michigan 16

Both teams will be missing a few opt outs in this game, but Michigan's defense will be without the most talent. Sherrone Moore and the Wolverines likely try and slow this game down, ugly things up, and keep the overall point total down. That will be their only way to keep this close. Force a turnover or two and hope for the best since their offense certainly won't score more than one touchdown otherwise. Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe's mobility and Ryan Williams' separation skills at wide receiver prove enough to score a few touchdowns as the Tide win by 11, surprisingly failing to cover the point spread. – Travis May

Alabama 31, Michigan 13

Neither roster wants to be in this bowl game, but each staff has plenty to prove as they look to create momentum heading into 2025. Michigan, even being without its best players on both sides of the ball, will have more success draining the clock than expected. However, with Jalen Milroe giving one last push before making his draft plans known, the Tide pull away in the second half. – Ian Valentino

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Alabama 35, Michigan 15

The tide were left out of the College Football Playoff in a decision that the committee probably regrets after round one of the playoff. While they tended to play down to their competition all season, they will look to put a hurting on Michigan. Jalen Milroe may be playing his final game in Crimson and White and he and the coaching staff will look to send him out on top against a lesser Michigan team. Expect a lot of running and deep shots as the team features Milroe against the Wolverines. – Rob Gregson

Alabama 31, Michigan 6

The Alabama Crimson Tide and Michigan Wolverines will get a rematch from their Rose Bowl showdown last year, but the Wolverines could not be any more different than they were then. Last season, the Wolverines led the way with 20+ NFL players in their matchup. Now, none of those players will be playing in this one.

The Wolverines have been decimated by opt-outs, with all of their key playmakers on both sides of the ball declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft. They run head first into an Alabama team largely unaffected by opt-outs who are hungry to prove themselves after being left out of the College Football Playoff.

Without any of their playmakers from a team that already struggled to move the ball, I’m not sure how Michigan stays in this game. While Alabama doesn't boast quite the same level of talent that we’ve seen from their prime Nick Saban era teams, they still have elite playmakers everywhere. This one might be over quick. Alabama 31, Michigan 6. – AJ Schulte

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The Michigan Wolverines' roster has been decimated by players opting out of the bowl game. With most of their older talent heading off to the NFL, this opens the door for the younger players to step up and enter the 2025 season with momentum behind them to start next season. Who are some players to […]

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On average the A to Z Sports team of beat writers has Alabama winning by 18.5 points, a full touchdown more than the spread. That might seem surprising, but Michigan's four potential first round prospects are all out. That's a big deal. Hopefully Sherrone Moore and company can keep this one close and prove us all wrong.

We'll be back with more Alabama Crimson Tide and Michigan Wolverines coverage here at A to Z Sports all year long! Follow me (@FF_TravisM) and A to Z Sports (@AtoZSportsNFL) on X for all the latest football news!