3 questions about Alabama football ahead of the ReliaQuest Bowl against Michigan

3 questions about Alabama football ahead of the ReliaQuest Bowl against Michigan

Alabama’s 2024 football season comes to a close on Tuesday as the Crimson Tide end the year the way it began: against Michigan. Unlike the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1, which turned out to be Nick Saban’s final game, the ReliaQuest Bowl matchup has no College Football Playoff stakes.

The game still represents a chance for the Tide to extend its 10-win season streak that began in 2008. Kalen DeBoer’s first postseason game as UA head coach is scheduled to kick off at 11 a.m. CT on Tuesday at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, and will be broadcast on ESPN.

Before that, here are three questions Alabama must answer in the season finale.

How will the depleted wide receiver group perform?

Alabama was already a bit thin at wide receiver due to injuries before the transfer portal opened. The departures of Kobe Prentice, Kendrick Law, Caleb Odom and Emmanuel Henderson certainly didn’t help.

Jaylen Mbakwe, who spent the regular season at cornerback, is moving to wideout for the ReliaQuest Bowl and beyond. He joins just four other scholarship players, including Ryan Williams, Germie Bernard, Jaren Hamilton and Rico Scott.

Williams and Bernard carried the load for the Crimson Tide throughout the regular season. It will be interesting to see who else comes forward.

Mbakwe has received rave reviews so far since his move to attack.

“He definitely has the skills and is really excited about what he can do for us at this position,” DeBoer said. “He’s got the speed. “He had the ball in his hands throughout high school and ran the offense there at that level, and then we used him in the punt return game and the return games. We’re just really happy with what he can bring to the table.”

Will we see a motivated Crimson Tide?

In the past, Alabama teams have been accused of shutting down and losing focus when there was nothing left to play for. This year’s Crimson Tide faces a Michigan team that should be overmatched, but UA has lost to worse teams this season.

Without a playoff bid, Alabama will have to look elsewhere for motivation. Both players and coaches have downplayed any notion of the ReliaQuest Bowl as a revenge game.

“It comes down to unfinished business,” quarterback Jalen Milroe said. “How can we end up on top in the last game of your season?”

Alabama also has a streak on the board. The Crimson Tide has won no fewer than 10 games since 2007, which players say is important moving forward.

“That’s definitely one of our jobs,” Milroe said. “That’s definitely one of our missions, to have a 10-win season. And that’s something we have to get, it’s not something that’s given to us.”

Who is playing their last college games?

Milroe’s upcoming NFL Draft decision is an interesting one. He could very well play his final game for Alabama in the ReliaQuest Bowl.

The redshirt junior did not share any final decisions before the game.

“I think for me right now it’s just about getting the best out of myself,” Milroe said. “Take care of everything now, because given the future prospects, it is difficult to get to this point if you don’t take care of it right away. I’m enjoying the moment when I’m playing with my boys. Prepare as best you can, practice and take care of it now.”

Other Alabama players facing a draft decision in the near future include Tyler Booker, Germie Bernard, Jihaad Campbell, Deontae Lawson, Domani Jackson and more.

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