Michigan 19, Alabama 13: Notes, quotes, and observations — it sure felt like it mattered

by:Chris Balas•12/31/24•

Balas_Wolverine

Sherrone Moore after ReliaQuest bowl win — Dec 31, 2024; Tampa, FL, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Sherrone Moore celebrates after beating the Alabama Crimson Tide in the ReliaQuest Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

With five minutes remaining in a 19-13 Michigan win over Alabama in the ReliaQuest Bowl (the Wolverines’ second victory over the vaunted Crimson Tide this year — but who’s counting?), media was allowed to make their way to the field. Dominic Zvada had just nailed his latest field goal, a 37-yarder that gave U-M a 19-10 lead, but there was still a sense that there was a lot of football to be played, drama to play out.