Checking in on latest Vegas odds for Michigan vs. Alabama Rose Bowl
The Michigan Wolverines and Alabama Crimson Tide meet in the Rose Bowl semifinal of the College Football Playoff on Jan. 1 in Pasadena with a trip to Houston on the line. 11 days after the game was announced, the Vegas odds have changed very little on the matchup of national powers.
According to the FanDuel Sportsbook, Michigan still has the edge as a 1.5-point favorite over Alabama with the over/under set at 45.5 total points scored between the two teams. U-M opened as a 2.5-point favorite with the over/under set at 46 when the initial odds were revealed almost two weeks ago.
FanDuel has the first-half spread set at Michigan -1.5, so a tight game is expected from wire to wire. The first half point total is sitting at 23.5 between the two squads as of Dec. 14.
Touchdown scorers odds have Michigan running back Blake Corum at the top at -195 to find the endzone at any time during the contest and +330 to be the first player who scores in the game. He is followed by Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe at -135 anytime or +500 to score first.
Corum’s rushing yardage total over/under is set at 78.5 with teammate Donovan Edwards at 29.5.
Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy’s passing yards are set at over/under 185.5 with Milroe’s at 204.5. Both quarterbacks are set at 1.5 touchdown passes. McCarthy and Milroe’s rushing yardage totals are set at 15.5 and 32.5, respectively.
Alabama’s receiving duo of Jermaine Burton and Isaiah Bond lead the receiving yardage totals at 53.5 and 49.5, respectively, followed by Michigan’s Roman Wilson at 39.5 and Cornelius Johnson and Colston Loveland each with 36.5.
The matchup pits two teams against each other who have taken care of business against the spread of late. Alabama is 5-1 against the number in its last six games, while Michigan is 7-2 ATS over its last nine contests.
Of course, the most notable aspect of the game might be postseason success, or lack thereof, between opponents. Alabama has won its last six College Football Playoff semifinal appearances by an average of around 19 points per contest. When they get to this spot, they have a habit of decidedly handling business. Michigan, on the other hand, is 0-6 in its last six bowl games, including a pair of losses in the College Football Playoff over the last two years.
Alabama also has the most recent victory in the series over Michigan, a 35-16 decision in the Citrus Bowl on Jan. 1, 2020. The Crimson Tide hold a 3-2 all-time mark against Michigan with the 2020 victory, in addition to a win in the season opener in 2012 (41-14) and the Outback Bowl in 1997 (17-14). Michigan’s wins in the series have come in 2000 in the Orange Bowl (35-34) and a 1988 victory in the Hall of Fame Bowl (28-24).
The Rose Bowl is set for 5 p.m. ET on Jan 1 from Pasadena. The winner will take on either Texas or Washington in Houston on Jan. 8.
