Michigan has arrived in Tampa, Florida, for its New Year’s Eve kick against the Alabama Crimson Tide in what will be a rematch of last season’s epic Rose Bowl showdown, a game the Wolverines won, 27-20, in overtime.

The Wolverines held their first practice of the trip on Friday after arriving the day after Christmas. Excitement surrounding Michigan’s borderline elite recruiting class is certainly palpable — five-star QB Bryce Underwood is leading the way in that regard — but the team is still preparing for a battle against Alabama.

Before practice began on Friday, key players of the Michigan offense met with reporters to discuss the ReliaQuest Bowl. Starting quarterback Davis Warren talked about the transition from Michigan’s 13-10 win over Ohio State to now preparing for the game against the Crimson Tide.

“You get those couple weeks between Ohio (State) and this game, and you get a chance to reflect a little bit on the season, but I think we’ve taken it in stride and taken it as a real opportunity to get better at football and thinking about things you did during the year, things you did well, things you can improve on, and how you can work on them over these next two to three weeks of practice that we’ve had. … That’s been the goal — just getting better at football and preparing for our opponent while doing it,” Warren said.

Notably, Warren began the year as the starter, but lost his job to Alex Orji after throwing three interceptions against Arkansas State in Week 3. But after experiments with Orji and Jack Tuttle failed, Warren was reinserted as a starter ahead of the Michigan State game.

Warren finished out the regular season strong, capping it off with an emphatic 13-10 win over Ohio State in Columbus.

Still, though, this season marks the first time in four years that the Wolverines are not playing for a national title, and with a star-studded recruiting class coming in, it’s hard for fans not to look ahead to 2025.

But ignoring what fans might be thinking about, Warren says the team isn’t looking past Alabama at all.

“I don’t think we’re overlooking (the game) at all. … As a group, we’re focused on winning this football game,” Warren said. “Michigan needs us to win this game, we want to win this game and we plan on winning this game. So, I know we’re going to take that approach. It’s a really good opportunity for all of us. Man, we’re going to fight tooth and nail to go get a win.”

Michigan will practice on Saturday and Sunday ahead of the 2024 ReliaQuest Bowl, which will kick off at Noon ET on Tuesday, Dec. 31.

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TAMPA, Fla. – Thousands in Tampa Bay will ring in the new year differently: the ReliaQuest Bowl game at Raymond James Stadium at noon on Dec. 31st. 

The Michigan Wolverines will face off against the Alabama Crimson Tide, and both teams arrived in Tampa on Thursday night, welcomed by fans. 

“These are two marquee teams with great college traditions. We are expecting very good crowds, and the Tampa Bay area is great at hospitality,’ said Greg Orchard, the Board of Directors Chairman for the Reliaquest Bowl. “We are excited to be really entertaining fans, teams, and the administration of both schools that are gonna be here.”                

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Fans showed up at the hotels of each team to wish them well as they arrived on Thursday. 

“It would be very nice to meet the coach. We are very impressed with him and have been fans forever,” said Tammy and Mark Germain, Michigan fans. “I am so excited. We had no idea they’d be here, and we have never been to a game, so we are going to the game, our first actual game.” 

“Although it’s not in the playoffs, I do hope it is a very intense game,” said Marco Pratico, an Alabama fan. “It brings more viewers to Tampa; these two teams were in the Rose Bowl, too, so it’s great to have two high-level teams in Tampa.”

The Michigan football team arriving in Tampa ahead of the ReliaQuest Bowl.

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This will also have a huge economic impact on businesses, hotels, and restaurants, and it is expected to bring in over a billion dollars to the Tampa Bay area. 

“It’s a huge deal for Tampa, with the TV exposure — ESPN at noon on New Year’s Eve — and the exposure of fans coming to the Tampa Bay area and seeing that, yes, we are open after the hurricanes we’ve had.” 

Both teams will enjoy sunshine-filled festivities before the game next week. 

“Well, the teams are here to play football, so there are a few practice sessions, but there will also be a day for them at Busch Gardens and a beach day on Sunday, where thousands of the fans will be at Clearwater Beach, and hopefully they can enjoy warmer weather than Michigan.”

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TCU transfer wide receiver JoJo Earle signed with UNLV under new head coach Dan Mullen, On3’s Pete Nakos has learned. He started his career at Alabama before spending two seasons at TCU.

Earle entered the transfer portal earlier this month following his second year with the Horned Frogs. He only appeared in four games in 2024, totaling seven receptions for 37 yards and a touchdown. That came after he played in all 12 games as a junior when he had 16 receptions for 239 yards and two touchdowns after transferring from Alabama.

During his two years at Alabama, Earle appeared in 20 games. He totaled 303 yards and two touchdowns during that time before taking his talents to TCU. He will have one year of eligibility remaining.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire. 

The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and X account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.

Earle played high school football at Aledo (TX), where he was a four-star prospect. He was the No. 44 overall player from the 2021 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

JoJo Earle is the latest high-profile transfer to commit to UNLV under Mullen, who is returning to the sidelines as Barry Odom’s replacement. The Rebels have been active in the portal market since the transition, notably making a splash at quarterback.

Former Virginia quarterback Anthony Colandrea is also making his way to Las Vegas next season after announcing his commitment Dec. 21. He arrives as the No. 340 overall player and No. 30-ranked quarterback to enter the portal so far this cycle, according to the On3 Industry Transfer Rankings.

Colandrea played in 11 games last season with Virginia, throwing for 2,125 yards 13 touchdowns, along with 11 interceptions. He chose UNLV over suitors such as Pitt, Syracuse and Ole Miss, which were all in pursuit.

Mullen is making his return to the sidelines after two years as an ESPN analyst. He previously worked as the head coach at Florida, amassing a 34-15 record, including a 21-14 mark in SEC play. That came after nine seasons as the head coach at Mississippi State, where he went 69-46 and led the Bulldogs to a 10-win season in 2014.