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Pregame observations from the Rose Bowl: Michigan football vs. Alabama in CFP

clayton-sayfieby:Clayton Sayfie•01/01/24•

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Michigan Alabama Rose Bowl
(Photo by Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports)

PASADENA, Calif. — Michigan Wolverines football is set to take on Alabama in the Rose Bowl with a national title game berth hanging in the balance. Follow along below for pregame observations from the stadium.

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Pregame observations: Michigan vs. Alabama

NOTE: Updates are listed in reverse chronological order and time stamped in local, Pacific Time.

• 2:07 p.m. — Michigan has taken the field.

• 2:03 p.m. — Stealth bomber flies overhead at the conclusion of the national anghem.

• 1:54 p.m. — The Michigan Marching Band follows up Alabama’s band. The Wolverine faithful are singing along to ‘The Victors’ ‘Let’s Go Blue’ and other hit songs.

• 1:39 p.m. — Michigan is headed into the locker room for the final time before kickoff.

• 1:35 p.m. — As expected, Karsen Barnhart will start at right guard and Trente Jones at right tackle, with Zak Zinter out for the season.

• 1:05 p.m. — Zak Zinter had surgery on his broken leg Nov. 25 and is already out here for warmups walking around on his own — no crutches.

• 1:02 p.m. — Here are some sights and sounds from pregame warmups:

• 12:01 p.m. — Michigan has released its availability report for the game. Senior right guard Zak Zinter, of course, is listed as out (season-ending leg injury suffered against Ohio State). Meanwhile, freshman cornerback DJ Waller Jr. is slotted as ‘questionable.’ Michigan will have everyone else available.

• 11:46 a.m. — Michigan players are walking the field, some casually throwing the ball around, in sweatpants and sleeveless hoodies. It’s a beautiful day in Pasadena, with a hot sun and a nice cool breeze. Special teamers have their maize game pants on and are getting loose.

• 11:22 a.m. — Michigan has arrived at the stadium.

Game information: Michigan football vs. Alabama

Venue: Rose Bowl Stadium (89,702)
Kickoff: 2:10 p.m. PT (5:10 p.m. ET)
TV: ESPN
Stream: fubo — limited time offer: $40 off Fubo’s Pro, Elite and Premier plans today!
On The Call: Chris Fowler (play-by-play), Kirk Herbstreit (color) and Holly Rowe (Michigan sideline) and Laura Rutledge (Alabama sideline)
Radio: LEARFIELD Michigan Sports Network, anchored by WWJ 950 AM in the Detroit area, with Doug Karsch (play-by-play), Jon Jansen (color) and Jason Avant (sideline) on the call. Karsch and Jansen are regular contributors to TheWolverine.com. Click here for the full list of radio affiliates to find the station in your area. The radio broadcast can also be streamed through MGoBlue.com.
Series Facts: This is Michigan’s third consecutive appearance in the College Football Playoff semifinals. The Wolverines lost to Georgia 34-11 in 2021 and 51-45 to TCU a year ago. Michigan has a 2-3 record all time against Alabama. U-M won the first meeting 28-24 in the 1987 Hall of Fame Bowl and 35-34 in the 1999 Orange Bowl. Alabama won 17-14 in the 1996 Outback Bowl and in each of the last two meetings: 41-14 in 2012 and 35-16 in the 2020 Citrus Bowl.

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