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.
The Alabama Crimson Tide will face the North Dakota Fighting Hawks in this college basketball matchup on Monday at Coleman Coliseum, and you can catch all the action with ESPN Unlimited.
How to Watch Alabama vs North Dakota
- Date: Monday, November 3, 2025
- Time: 8:00 PM ET
- Channel: SEC Network+
- Stream: ESPN Unlimited (watch now)
The Alabama Crimson Tide tip off the 2025‑26 season with plenty of momentum and transition under coach Nate Oats. After making a deep NCAA Tournament run last year, the Tide reload with young lead guard Labaron Philon Jr. stepping into a starring role and rising forward Keitenn Bristow bringing hype on the front line. Alabama’s roster also adds size and versatility through transfers like Noah Williamson, while returning shooters and athletes across the lineup support Oats’ up‑tempo, high‑spacing system. With their core freshened and expectations still high in the SEC, the key question is: can they take the next step and turn deep-tournament potential into a title-contending run?
The North Dakota Fighting Hawks enter the 2025‑26 season with a blend of rebuilding and hope under seventh‑year head coach Paul Sather. Fresh off a 12‑21 season (5‑11 in the Summit League), they’ll lean heavily on senior guard Eli King for leadership while integrating seven newcomers into the rotation. The schedule opens with a tough road game at Alabama Crimson Tide, setting the tone early for a season shaped by growth more than expectation. With only one returning starter, chemistry will take time—but if the freshmen acclimate and the Hawks tighten defensively, they could surprise in Summit League play.
This is a great college basketball matchup that you will not want to miss; make sure to tune in and catch all the action.
Live stream Alabama vs North Dakota on SEC Network+ with ESPN Unlimited: Start your subscription now!
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Alabama women’s basketball embarks on its non-conference schedule with a season opener against Stetson, but how much the Crimson Tide’s opponents make from the University of Alabama before SEC play begins in January?
The Tuscaloosa News obtained contract information via an open records request to determine the amount of money that UA will be paying out during the 2025-26 non-conference slate.
Fourteen non-conference foes are on the docket for Alabama, including teams that the Crimson Tide will face during the Pink Flamingo Championships in Nassau, Bahamas, over Thanksgiving. The only contract that wasn’t provided was Alabama’s SEC/ACC Challenge game against Clemson, scheduled for Dec. 4.
Here’s what to know:
Stetson will receive $30,000 from the University of Alabama to travel to Tuscaloosa from DeLand, Florida. Sam Houston is Alabama’s other highest-paid opponent, bringing in $30,000 for the team’s trip from Huntsville, Texas.
Alabama A&M, Alcorn State, McNeese State and Troy will receive $25,000 each. The guaranteed amount that Tulane will be paid is $24,000. Kennesaw State and Samford will receive $20,000 each. Receiving $10,000, the University of Louisiana-Monroe is the lowest-paid opponent Alabama will face.
The Crimson Tide is paying $37,500 to compete in the Pink Flamingos Championship, in which it will meet Harvard and either Minnesota or the University of South Florida.
Per contract agreement, six of Alabama’s non-conference opponents will also receive 15 hotel rooms per night, including Alabama A&M, Alcorn State, Jackson State, Kennesaw State, McNeese State and Tulane. Alabama A&M, Jackson State and Kennesaw State are approximately three hours away from Tuscaloosa, or less.
Minus hotel room costs, Alabama will pay a total of $296,500 to the aforementioned visiting non-conference opponents and to participate in the Pink Flamingos Championship.
Alabama and Stetson will tip off at 4 p.m. CT on Monday, Nov. 3 in Coleman Coliseum ahead of Alabama men’s basketball’s season opener against North Dakota at 7 p.m. on the same day.
How Nate Oats, Alabama basketball is preparing for North Dakota opener
Here’s how Alabama basketball is preparing for its opener against North Dakota.
Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for The Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at esmarr@gannett.com.
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