7. U.S. Rep. Jerry Carl (R-Mobile) reflected on his tenure representing Alabama’s First Congressional District, as he leaves Congress after losing a primary to U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise), expressing gratitude for the opportunity to serve. Highlighting his achievements, Carl points to successes in energy policy, infrastructure funding, rural healthcare, and support for veterans, among other accomplishments. While bidding farewell, he expresses optimism for the future of south Alabama, the state, and the nation, emphasizing his pride in their shared values and resilience.

6. With an expanded playoff and legalized player payoffs, some argue that college football is in disarray amid changing rules and a lack of centralized leadership; and the idea of a “commissioner of college football” has gained traction. Penn State head coach James Franklin champions Nick Saban as the ideal candidate, citing his unparalleled leadership and deep understanding of the game. Franklin and others see the role as essential to unifying conferences, establishing consistent rules, and restoring stability to the sport’s rapidly shifting landscape, but Saban really seems to be enjoying his role on ESPN.

5. The National Weather Service confirmed three tornadoes touched down in Alabama Saturday night, including two EF1s in Limestone and Lamar counties and an EF0 in Mobile County. The EF1 tornado in Athens caused significant damage to the town square and tossing an anchored helicopter 50-60 feet at Veterans Memorial Park, while no injuries have been reported from any of the storms. With additional surveys underway in multiple counties, the NWS anticipates identifying more tornadoes amid widespread storm reports across the Southeast.

4. Former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away at 100, is remembered for his journey from peanut farmer to the presidency and his lifelong commitment to faith and service, his record as president is less fondly remembered. Alabama officials, including U.S. Sens. Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) and Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn), praised Carter’s post-presidency humanitarian work, especially his contributions to Habitat for Humanity and the Carter Center. While his presidency remains an example of a failed administration, his compassion, charity, and dedication to public good continue to inspire across the political spectrum.

3. There is apparently overwrought concern as Auburn University and Auburn University at Montgomery are reportedly the only predominantly white colleges in Alabama with decreases in black student enrollment over the past five years, despite overall enrollment gains. Auburn saw a 12% increase in total enrollment but a 2% decrease in Black students, a trend attributed to more selective admission criteria aimed at improving rankings. In contrast, the state’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities are seeing record enrollment and the University of Alabama and other institutions increased Black student enrollment, with UA highlighting scholarship accessibility.

2. Debate over the H-1B visa program continues with some Republicans arguing for the program while the base is seen as wanting to rein in all types of immigration. X and Tesla CEO Elon Musk and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy championing it as essential for attracting top global talent, while immigration hardliners criticize it for undermining American jobs and wages, there seems to be some agreement on reforms to better balance innovation with protection of American workers. In Alabama, 273 companies employed 1,129 H-1B workers in 2024, with major employers including UAB, Auburn University, and Shipt Inc.

1. Alabamians flock to neighboring states like Tennessee and Florida to buy lottery tickets as the Mega Millions jackpot soared past $1 billion, highlighting the state’s ongoing loss of potential lottery revenue. Many residents and lawmakers like Alabama State Rep. Andy Whitt (R-Harvest) expressed frustration over Alabama’s lack of a lottery, pointing out missed educational opportunities and economic benefits enjoyed by states with legal gaming, adding, “the people in Alabama overwhelmingly support the lottery and the right to vote on it, and they deserve that.” Despite bipartisan support, Alabama’s latest gaming legislation narrowly failed in the Senate, but lawmakers are hopeful for renewed efforts to bring a lottery to the state.

Dale Jackson is a thought leader for Yellowhammer News and hosts a talk show from 5-9 a.m. weekdays on WVNN and from 10-11 a.m. on Talk 99.5 and News Radio 1440, with a rebroadcast Talk Radio 103.9 FM/730AM WUMP from 3-4 p.m.

TAMPA, Fla. — Alabama football’s 2024 season is about to come to a close.

The Crimson Tide will face Michigan in the 2024 ReilaQuest Bowl in the final game of the Kalen DeBoer era, the team that beat Alabama in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Rose Bowl in 2023 before beating DeBoer’s Washington Huskies in the CFP National Championship.

After the ReliaQuest Bowl, Alabama will turn its attention to its Aug. 30, 2025 season opener at Florida State.

Here is what you need to know ahead of the 2024 ReliaQuest Bowl.

What channel is Alabama football vs Michigan on today?

TV channel: ESPN

Livestream: Fubo (free trial)

Alabama kicks off against Michigan at 11 a.m. CT Tuesday in the 2024 ReliaQuest Bowl from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. Dave Flemming and Brock Osweiler will call the game from the booth with Stormy Buonantony reporting from the sideline.

Alabama vs Michigan: ReliaQuest Bowl time today

Date: Tuesday, Dec. 31

Start time: 11 a.m. CT

Location: Raymond James Stadium; Tampa, Florida

Alabama vs Michigan predictions, picks, odds

No. 11 Alabama 35, Michigan 17: With a fully-loaded roster that includes NFL draft-eligible players like Jalen Milroe, Tyler Booker and Jihaad Campbell, Alabama has a significant advantage over Michigan, who is scrambling to fill holes left by players such as All-American cornerback Will Johnson, defensive tackle Kenneth Grant, running backs Donovan Edwards and Kalel Mullings and tight end Colston Loveland, who have each declared for the NFL draft. Alabama should get its 10th victory with relative ease.

Note: Odds were available on BetMGM as of Monday, Dec. 30

Odds: Alabama -14

Over/Under: 43.5 points

Alabama football schedule 2024

• Aug. 31: Alabama 63, Western Kentucky 0
• Sept. 7: Alabama 42, South Florida 16
• Sept. 14: Alabama 42, Wisconsin 10
• Sept. 28: Alabama 41, Georgia 34
• Oct. 5: Vanderbilt 40, Alabama 35
• Oct. 12: Alabama 27, South Carolina 25
• Oct. 19: Tennessee 24, Alabama 17
• Oct. 26: Alabama 34, Missouri 0
• Nov. 9: Alabama 42, LSU 13
• Nov. 16: Alabama 52, Mercer 7
• Nov. 23: Oklahoma 24, Alabama 3
• Nov. 30: Alabama 28, Auburn 14

Michigan football schedule 2024

• Aug. 31: Michigan 30, Fresno State 10
• Sept. 7: Texas 31, Michigan 12
• Sept. 14: Michigan 28, Arkansas State 18
• Sept. 21: Michigan 27, USC 24
• Sept. 28: Michigan 27, Minnesota 24
• Oct. 5: Washington 27, Michigan 17
• Oct. 19: Illinois 21, Michigan 7
• Oct. 26: Michigan 24, Michigan State 17
• Nov. 2: Oregon 38, Michigan 17
• Nov. 9: Indiana 20, Michigan 15
• Nov. 23: Michigan 50, Northwestern 6
• Nov. 30: Michigan 13, Ohio State 10

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Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@gannett.com or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter. 

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The stakes aren’t as high as they were when No. 11 Alabama and Michigan last met in the postseason, however the Crimson Tide and Wolverines say they’re excited about their New Years Eve matchup in the ReliaQuest Bowl.

Tuesday’s game at Raymond James Stadium is a rematch of last year’s College Football Playoff semifinal won by eventual national champion Michigan at the Rose Bowl.

And while some of the big names have changed, highlighted by the departures of Nick Saban and Jim Harbaugh, there’s still plenty of star power on the marquee.

Former Washington coach Kalen DeBoer, who lost to Michigan in last season’s CFP final, moved to Alabama after Saban retired and is completing his first season with the Crimson Tide.

Sherrone Moore, meanwhile, replaced Harbaugh when the former Wolverines coach left Michigan for the NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers and has experienced some ups and downs in 2024, too.

Despite losing three times and failing to get to the Southeastern Conference championship game, Alabama (9-3) was disappointed to be left out of the expanded 12-team CFP field.

Michigan (7-5) finished seventh in the Big Ten, but enters the ReliaQuest Bowl on a high note after defeating archrival and CFP participant Ohio State.

“Our players are excited. It’s going to be a great challenge with a great team, great opponent,” Moore said Monday. “Ready to kick this thing off.”

It’s not an easy task to follow Saban or Harbaugh, and the ReliaQuest Bowl is not where the Crimson Tide and Wolverines hoped to wind up when the season began.

Still, DeBoer and Moore say it’s good to be in warm weather Florida with an opportunity to finish a year filled with challenges.

“You want to win them all, right? That’s a given. But I think just finishing this year off with a positive would be big for just the direction, for this team to kind of put an end to it, but also to help us just moving forward and the trajectory,” DeBoer said.

“It’s been a whirlwind of 11 months,” the Alabama coach added. “But I like where we’re at with the mindset, like where we’re at with how things are coming together, and looking forward to taking those next steps.”

Nice to see you again

This will be the seventh all-time meeting between the tradition-rich programs. The Crimson Tide and Wolverines have each won three.

It’s also Michigan’s seventh appearance in the ReliaQuest Bowl, which was called the Hall of Fame Bowl from 1986 to 1995 and the Outback Bowl from 1996 to 2022.

This will be the third time Alabama has played in the game.

10 wins

Jalen Milroe will start at quarterback for Alabama as the Crimson Tide try to get their 10th victory and extend an impressive streak of 16 consecutive seasons with double-digit wins.

“It means a lot,” offensive lineman Tyler Booker, a second-team AP All-American, said.

“We had a lot of goals set out before this year took place, and obviously we can’t achieve all or most of our goals now,” Booker added. “But one of the goals we can still achieve is reaching 10 wins. And that’s at the forefront of our minds.”

Replacing Malachi

Alabama must replace second-team All-America safety Malachi Moore, who had surgery for an unspecified injury. The Tide were already missing injured safety Keon Sabb.

Candidates to fill the role could include King Mack, Kameron Howard and freshman Zavier Mincey.

Receiver depth

Injuries and transfers have left Alabama with just four healthy scholarship wide receivers. Two are established starters, Ryan Williams and Germie Bernard. Redshirt freshman Jaren Hamilton has no catches in his first two seasons and freshman Rico Scott has four catches for 37 yards and a touchdown.

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AP Sports Writer John Zenor in Birmingham, Alabama, contributed to this report.

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