Michigan Football Favored Over Bama, Yet Remains An Underdog

According to Las Vegas, No. 1 Michigan football (13-0, Big Ten Champions) is favored by around two points against No. 4 Alabama (12-1, SEC Champions) in the 2024 Rose Bowl game, which will decide who advances to the national title game and who goes home. Yet, despite the fact that Michigan is currently the betting favorite, analysts and fans alike are largely counting the Wolverines out — enough so that, despite being the favorite on paper, there is no doubt that the Maize and Blue still feel like an underdog in the College Football Playoff.

Michigan football “favored” on paper, yet remains the underdog

After beating Iowa 26-0, many fans thought that Michigan football would move up to No. 1 and face Florida State (13-0, ACC Champions) in the Rose Bowl. Yet, when the final College Football Playoff rankings were released, FSU was at No. 5 in favor of Alabama (previously No. 8), which jumped up eight spots despite its 12-1 record. While the move was shocking, to say the least, Michigan remained unphased — it’s ready for whatever team it’s pitted against on January 1.

When the initial Rose Bowl betting lines were released, Michigan football came into the matchup against Alabama as a 2.5-point favorite. While that line has regressed down to about 1.5 as of right now, and most of the money is on Bama, Michigan is still favored, according to Vegas.

Rose Bowl bettors overwhelmingly taking Alabama

When I say most of the money is on Alabama, I mean it. As of today, 89% of bets and 93% of the money being placed is on Alabama to cover as an underdog. Of course, this comes as no surprise, seeing as Michigan is only favored on paper, not in the public eye.

89% of bets and 93% of money is on Alabama ML for the upcoming playoff game against Michigan 😳

Via @johnewing pic.twitter.com/N3FcAQ69Fc

— College Football Report (@CFBRep) December 6, 2023

CBS College Football Playoff picks do not favor Michigan, either

In addition, CBS Sports just has a pannel of 11 college football analysts release their picks for the College Football Playoff and Rose Bowl game. Of these 11, nine of them have Alabama beating Michigan football. The other two? Well, they both have Michigan losing to Texas in the national title game.

So yes, technically, Michigan football is the favorite to win its first College Football Playoff game in the Rose Bowl against Alabama; however, that is not how the Wolverines are being treated. In fact, nearly everyone is counting the Maize and Blue out against Nick Saban and his Crimson Tide heading into the CFP race.

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