The Alabama Crimson Tide are 6-1 SU and ATS in their last seven games against Big Ten opponents. With Tua Tagovailoa still out with a dislocated hip, Mac Jones will be under center when the Crimson Tide square off against the Michigan Wolverines.
- Spread: Alabama -7
- Total: 59
- Date/Time: January 1, 1 p.m. ET
- Location: Orlando, Florida
- Stadium: Camping World Stadium
- TV Coverage: ABC
- Michigan vs Alabama Matchup Report & Updated Odds
Citrus Bowl Odds Analysis
The line on the Citrus Bowl has remained steady with the Crimson Tide still going off at -7, which is what they opened at. The total has seen a 2-point jump from its Sportsbook line of 57 up to 59 points. Michigan is 1-6 SU in its last seven games as a postseason underdog.
Michigan News & Notes
In their first four seasons under head coach Jim Harbaugh, the Michigan Wolverines had three 10-3 SU seasons and one 8-5 SU season, losing to the Ohio State Buckeyes in all four of those campaigns. The 2019 season was more of the same, with Michigan going 9-3 SU and 7-5 ATS with a lopsided 56-27 loss to the Buckeyes. Each of the last three seasons has ended in a bowl loss.
Michigan is a staggering 0-16 SU and 7-9 ATS in its last 16 games as an underdog. Harbaugh has built the Wolverines back up into a consistently winning program, but at some point, Michigan needs to start winning tough games if it hopes to become a real national contender again.
Alabama News & Notes
Alabama went 10-2 SU and 6-6 ATS in 2019. Tua Tagovailoa may not have been 100 percent in the team’s 46-41 home loss to the LSU Tigers, and he missed the Crimson Tide’s 48-45 loss to the Auburn Tigers with his hip injury. But it wasn’t the offense that was the issue in either of those games, it was an uncharacteristically beatable defense.
The Crimson Tide ranked 15th in scoring defense and 17th in total yards allowed – great by most schools’ standards, but terrible by Nick Saban’s.
Mac Jones has played well in relief of Tagovailoa this season with 1,176 passing yards, 11 passing touchdowns and only three interceptions. After falling short against Auburn despite a four-touchdown performance, he’ll get another shot at a signature win in the Citrus Bowl.
Betting Pick: Alabama -7
With the Crimson Tide missing the College Football Playoff for the first time in four years, people are starting to wonder if this is the end of Alabama’s reign of dominance. Look for a hyper-focused and dominant effort from the Tide as the team looks to build momentum heading into 2020.
- The OVER has hit in 8 of Michigan’s 12 games this season.
- Alabama is 2nd in the NCAA in points scored per game.
- Alabama is 6-2 SU in its last 8 bowl games.
