This bowling season is big for Kalen DeBoer and Alabama. The Crimson Tide narrowly fell out of the playoff picture with their 9-3 record without Nick Saban for the first time in 17 years. So the New Year’s eve’s ReliaQuest Bowl is the farthest Alabama will be going this season. It’s a chance for DeBoer to round up a 10-win debut season in Tuscaloosa. Despite a couple of heartbreaks along the way, their roster going into their bowl game proved that star QB Jalen Milroe and co. still has that coveted culture instilled in them. 

The Athletic‘s staff writer Kennington Smith III joined David Ubben in the new YouTube episode on Until Saturday on December 29. According to him, Alabama’s culture still remains intact despite Kalen DeBoer taking over the reins for the Crimson Tide. He said, “I think at this point today, the culture is actually in a pretty decent spot and I think it’s because, I think you can point to the fact that their entire team is playing in this bowl game which is not happening across the country.” 

Earlier this month, Kalen DeBoer told the media that they’re “in a place where most of those guys are planning on playing” in the upcoming ReliaQuest Bowl game. That’s something even Sherrone Moore and Michigan didn’t qualify for. Smith didn’t have a similar positive forecast for Alabama’s bowl opponent. He said, “I mean, even the team that they’re playing – Michigan. I know they had their emphatic win over Ohio State but a lot of their NFL guys aren’t playing in this game.” 

The Wolverines will be missing several key players including CB Will Johnson and DL Mason Graham, who have both opted out of the bowl game against Alabama on December 31. RB Kalel Mullings, who is entering the 2025 NFL Draft, also announced his decision that he will not be playing in the bowl game. He reportedly didn’t travel to Tampa for the game at Raymond James Stadium. As Smith added, “So I think the influence of past leaders like Bryce Young, Will Anderson and [Nick] Saban influence is still there in that regard that they want to see the rest of the season through. So I think that’s a good sign.” It seems DeBoer is ready to begin a new slate with Michigan after Nick Saban’s final fall to the Wolverines. 

Can Alabama fulfill bowl expectations?

The last time Alabama and Michigan met was in the 2023 Rose Bowl game which was played this new year. That was when both Nick Saban and Jim Harbaugh were HCs. Still, the Crimson Tide fell 27-20 in an overtime defeat, paving the way for the Wolverines’ National Championship path. So, this is a chance to wrap the season up with an epic comeback. And signs are pointing out that this year’s bowl game is going to be in the favor of Jalen Milroe and co. 

Given their schedule and record this season, it’s not difficult to pick a winning team between Alabama and Michigan. The 3-loss Crimson Tide suffered unbelievable losses to Vanderbilt and Oklahoma but they’re still holding on with a better record than 7-5 Michigan who came off a surprising win against Ohio State in their last game. Alabama enters the ReliaQuest Bowl as a 13.5-point favorite over Michigan. 

The decision of Jalen Milroe and the Crimson Tide players to return for the bowl game only shows the standard that Alabama football holds. But it’s not a deciding factor in the game. Anything could happen on New Year’s Eve. So, let the countdown begin!