Alabama
Game Thread: No. 2 Michigan vs. No. 4 Alabama
It’s finally here — the Michigan Wolverines are set to take on the Alabama Crimson Tide this afternoon in the Rose Bowl.
The Wolverines are looking for their first ever playoff victory, but will have a challenge in stopping the Crimson Tide from making their seventh title game in the history of the CFP.
The Crimson Tide are led by quarterback Jalen Milroe who went from benched to the star of the SEC champion. Will Michigan be able to stop him and make the National Championship?
Before we get to the facts of the game, here are some stories our own Trevor Woods has whipped up this week while covering for Maize n Brew in Pasadena:
Now, let’s get to the important stuff you need for today’s game.
Game Info
Teams: No. 1 Michigan Wolverines vs No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide
Date: Monday, Jan. 1, 2024
Location: Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA
Kickoff: 5 p.m. EST
Television: ESPN
Radio: WWJ-AM (950), WTKA-AM (1050)
Spread: Michigan -1.5; O/U: 44.5
Today’s question: Can Michigan finally get that elusive first CFP win?
The Wolverines were overmatched in their first playoff game against Georgia and were upset last season against TCU. This year they are ranked No. 1 and enter the game as a slight favorite, but many are picking them to lose.
Will Michigan finally get over the hump and get that first playoff win? The team has been able to go undefeated despite all the obstacles that have been thrown its way. The Wolverines have never wavered, and this game shouldn’t be any different.
They have already dealt with great defenses this year, but the Crimson Tide are a different animal. They have the name and the legacy, but the Wolverines have taken care of everyone on their schedule up to this point. They will need to play an elite game to make it to the National Championship.
Alabama
2025 NFL, CFB Odds: Best Bets for Seahawks-Panthers, Indiana-Alabama
Now that we’re all blissfully overfed and overserved from the holidays, wearing sweatpants around the house all weekend, let’s make some bets.
What a life.
There are five football games I’ve bet, including a College Football Playoff wager, since those games are Wednesday and Thursday.
Remember, this isn’t the place for “locks” or five-team parlays. These are the games I love the most.
Let’s go to work.
This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.
2025 record: (34-47-6, -17.4 units)
Seahawks (-7, O/U 42.5) @ Panthers
The Seahawks hype machine is flying at full speed after last Thursday night’s overtime win over the rival L.A. Rams. Now everybody understands Seattle is good enough to string some playoff victories together. I still don’t think they’re seven points better than Carolina in Charlotte. We’ll see. I love this Bryce Young-Tet McMillan combo and do think the Panthers battle here.
PICK: Panthers (+7) to lose by fewer than 7 points or win outright
Steelers (-3, O/U 34) @ Browns
Wise guys bet Cleveland +4 and +3.5 earlier this week when pessimistic news surfaced about T.J. Watt’s status for Pittsburgh. Watt will officially be sidelined again, and the market is now painted 3 with one of the lowest totals all season. If that’s not a Browns’ script, nothing is. It’s also worth noting that if Baltimore loses Saturday night, this game means nothing for Pittsburgh.
PICK: Browns (+3) to lose by fewer than 3 points or win outright
LSU vs. Houston (-1.5, O/U 42)
First off, this is a glorified home game for Houston at NRG Stadium. The Cougars are very healthy and nearly fully staffed heading into this one, while LSU is down a ton of players and being coached by an interim staff. We get the better quarterback in Connor Weigman and, assuming you don’t mind fading an SEC team in bowl season, this bet should make your slip.
PICK: Houston (-1.5) to win by more than 1.5 points
Vanderbilt (-5, O/U 47) vs. Iowa
Ready to bet against Diego Pavia? The Commodores made people money this year, but Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz is historically profitable in this role. The Hawkeyes were a perfect 4-0 ATS as an underdog this season, and they’ve covered at a near 60% clip when catching points since 2003. I wouldn’t be surprised one bit if Iowa’s style and physicality led to an outright W.
PICK: Iowa (+5) to lose by fewer than 5 points or win outright
Indiana (-6.5, O/U 48.5) vs. Alabama
That is not a typo — Indiana is almost a touchdown favorite against mighty Alabama in a Playoff game. What planet are we on? It’s truly a sign of respect for the Hoosiers, a complete team with Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza leading the charge at quarterback. A Herculean performance from Tide quarterback Ty Simpson is always possible, but I think Indiana is too good. I trust Curt Cignetti to deliver a win and cover.
PICK: Indiana (-6.5) to win by more than 6.5 points
Sam Panayotovich is a sports betting analyst for FOX Sports and the BetMGM Network. He previously worked for WGN Radio, NBC Sports and VSiN. Watch him on FOX Sports’ Bear Bets and follow him on X @spshoot.
Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!
Alabama
Kitchen Cops shut down two north Alabama restaurants during Christmas week
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAFF) – The Kitchen Cops around north Alabama are not taking a break this holiday season. They were out, making their list and checking it twice, finding out who was naughty and who was nice. Two different businesses were actually shut down days before Christmas due to overwhelming problems that needed to be fixed right away before any more customers could be served.
DeKalb County
The first business to get on the naughty list this week was La Tienda Ideal in Albertville. This is actually a restaurant and a grocery store in one location, and they were scored separately.
The restaurant had a 64 due to roaches in the building, mold in the ice machine and mold on cooked meat in the cooler. There was also an issue with medication found near food items, no paper towels at one sink and several items in different coolers without date markings.
The La Tienda Ideal market was also inspected during this visit and got a higher, but still failing grade of 77. The roaches noted in the restaurant were present here as well. There was also a problem with chemicals not stored properly and one sink with no hot water. The roach issue was cited on the state website confirming La Tienda Ideal was closed until the issues were fixed.
Elsewhere in DeKalb County, the Fyffe Stop & Go on Main Street got an 83 due to mold in the soda nozzles.
DeKalb County Scores and Inspection Notes
Limestone County
The Krystal on Highway 72 near the I-65 interchange was shut down on December 22nd, due to “Inoperable toilets and sewage back up in the restrooms.” We called the phone number listed for this restaurant to confirm whether it has reopened, but the number redirected to another number, which was disconnected. We expect to learn more about this inspection next week.
On this week’s score sheet, there were no failing grades noted in Limestone County.
Madison County
The Burger King on Jeff Road in Harvest was given a 79 due to dirty storage containers, a blocked sink and broken fryer baskets.
Madison County Scores and Inspection Notes
Morgan County
The Citgo on Old Moulton Road has an 81 thanks to no soap at a sink and multiple food temperature violations.
Morgan County Scores and Inspection Notes
Click Here to Subscribe on YouTube: Watch the latest WAFF 48 news, sports & weather videos on our YouTube channel!
Copyright 2025 WAFF. All rights reserved.
Alabama
Alabama defensive standout headed to Senior Bowl
Alabama defensive end LT Overton has accepted his invitation to the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl, game officials announced Friday.
Overton makes it seven Crimson Tide players confirmed for the Senior Bowl, which is set for Jan. 31 at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile. Wide receiver Germie Bernard, tight end Josh Cuevas, running back Jam Miller and linebackers Deontae Lawson and Justin Jefferson and defensive lineman Tim Keenan previously accepted invitations for the annual college football all-star game and NFL draft showcase.
Overton (6-foot-5, 278 pounds) has 20 tackles and four sacks in 12 games this season heading into the Jan. 1 Rose Bowl vs. Indiana. The Milton, Ga., native — who played his first two seasons at Texas A&M before transferring to Alabama in 2024 — sat out the SEC championship game and the College Football Playoff opener vs. Oklahoma for medical reasons, but has been cleared to return for the Rose Bowl.
In addition to the seven Alabama players, other players with in-state connections confirmed for the 2026 Senior Bowl include the Auburn duo of offensive lineman Jeremiah Wright and defensive end Keyron Crawford, Texas Tech defensive lineman Lee Hunter (Blount High School), Clemson edge rusher T.J. Parker (Central Phenix City), Texas A&M linebacker Scooby Williams (Ramsay) and Louisville wide receiver/return specialist Caullin Lacy (Faith Academy).
Other notable players set to participate in Senior Bowl week are Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, Baylor tight end Michael Trigg, Florida center Jake Slaughter, LSU wide receiver Barion Brown, Missouri defensive end Zion Young and Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey, Texas safety Michael Taaffe and Texas A&M offensive lineman Trey Zuhn, edge rusher Cashius Howell and cornerback Will Lee.
More players will be added to the 2026 Senior Bowl roster as game week approaches. A full listing of accepted invites can be found HERE.
The 2026 Panini Senior Bowl kicks off at 1:30 p.m. Central on Jan. 31, with television coverage via NFL Network.
-
Connecticut2 days agoSnow Accumulation Estimates Increase For CT: Here Are The County-By-County Projections
-
Entertainment2 days agoHow the Grinch went from a Yuletide bit player to a Christmas A-lister
-
Entertainment3 days agoPat Finn, comedy actor known for roles in ‘The Middle’ and ‘Seinfeld,’ dies at 60
-
Milwaukee, WI4 days ago16 music and theater performances to see in Milwaukee in January 2026
-
World1 week agoPutin says Russia won’t launch new attacks on other countries ‘if you treat us with respect’
-
Science1 week agoChina’s Clean Energy Push is Powering Flying Taxis, Food Delivery Drones and Bullet Trains
-
Alabama1 week ago4 Takeaways From Alabama’s Comeback, Oklahoma’s Collapse in CFP First-Round Game
-
Education1 week agoHow Trump’s Policies on Tariffs, Health Care, Immigration and More Impact You