With so much talk about three-loss playoff teams and potential draftees playing in its bowl game, Alabama had a chance to make a statement against Michigan in Tuesday’s ReliaQuest Bowl. Instead, the Crimson Tide washed up on the beaches of Tampa and receded with a loss against the shorthanded Wolverines.
Alabama turned the ball over on downs and then turned it over on three straight consecutive possessions to put itself into a 16-0 hole from which it would never recover. Kalen DeBoer ultimately lost his first bowl game with the Crimson Tide 19-13, ending a 9-4 season that was marked with high highs and extremely low lows.
Jalen Milroe in particular struggled against Michigan, going 16 of 32 for 192 yards, a touchdown and an interception. But two lost fumbles and an offense that struggled to move the ball all game ended up spelling doom for Alabama, which now goes into an incredibly important postseason for one of college football’s most prestigious programs.
GOODBREAD:Alabama football was a no-show in ReliaQuest Bowl loss to Michigan | Goodbread
After all of the talk about strength of schedule and the dancing on the graves of Indiana and SMU following their ignominious exits from the College Football Playoffs, the college football world took some joy in giving Alabama a taste of its own medicine.
Here’s what people had to say about Alabama’s loss to Michigan, which had several key players sitting out.
Social media reactions to Alabama ReliaQuest Bowl loss
Kalen DeBoer also drew some ire, with Alabama suffering its first four-loss season since 2007.
Alabama will have a lot to prove next year, starting with a game at Doak Campbell Stadium against Florida State. Chief among those with chips on their shoulders will be DeBoer.
