Michigan opened and closed 2024 with wins over Alabama.
The Wolverines toppled the Crimson Tide 19-13 in Tuesday's ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, despite playing without several starters and entering the game as more than two-touchdown underdogs.
It marks the first time ever that the same school has beaten Alabama twice in a calendar year. Michigan first took down Alabama in the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day in 2024 on its way to the national championship.
On Tuesday, the Wolverines jumped out to a 16-0 lead and held on in the second half while playing without three potential first-round draft picks on defense in cornerback Will Johnson and defensive lineman Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant.
They were among several players from both sides who opted out of the game to prepare for the draft, along with Michigan's star tight end Colston Loveland and leading rushers Kalel Mullings and Donovan Edwards.
Freshman running back Jordan Marshall rushed for 100 yards in their stead, while sophomore wide receiver Fredrick Moore caught the first touchdown of his career to help Michigan build its early lead.
Michigan's defense sacked quarterback Jalen Milroe five times, forced him into two fumbles and picked him off once, while holding Alabama's running backs to just 33 yards on the ground.
The Wolverines both started and ended the game by turning Alabama over on downs, forcing Milroe into four straight incompletions in the red zone to seal the game with under a minute to play. It was reminiscent of Michigan's goal-line stand against Milroe and the Crimson Tide in the Rose Bowl.
While it was a generally disappointing season for Michigan (8-5) in year one under Sherrone Moore, the Wolverines closed with signature wins over Ohio State and Alabama and head into the offseason with significant momentum for 2025.