The last time Michigan football played in Tampa, in what was then the Outback Bowl, all of the hype surrounding the team was about a quarterback who was incoming. Apparently, the more things change, the more they stay the same.

Alabama football held its first ReliaQuest Bowl practice in Tampa on Friday at Berkeley Preparatory School. The Crimson Tide is preparing for a matchup against Michigan on Tuesday at 11 a.m. CT at Raymond James Stadium. Reporters had a chance to view a brief portion of practice Friday, which mainly included individual drills.

Michigan took the field for its first ReliaQuest Bowl practice in sunny Florida on Friday, and there were some notable absences. Every Wolverines player who has declared for the upcoming NFL draft — tight end Colston Loveland,

TAMPA, Fla. — Jaylen Mbakwe is back on offense. In Alabama football's first practice ahead of Tuesday's ReliaQuest Bowl against Michigan, the freshman cornerback is practicing with the wide receivers, a position he played at Clay-Chalkville High School in Pinson, Alabama.

The Wolverines also have another linebacker that Alabama fans need to know Jaishawn Barham, a junior as well. Barham, a transfer from the Maryland Terrapins, is Michigan’s second-leading tackler at 65 for the season, while also having recorded four TFL, one sack, and two PD in what is one of the top years of his collegiate career so far.

FOX 13's Evyn Moon reports on the impact, both culturally and economically, that the Reliaquest Bowl being played in Tampa Bay is having on the city.

The Wolverines signed just one top-100 recruit the previous two cycles, while Alabama finished with consecutive top-2 classes.

In a decision that comes with a mix of pride and concern for Michigan football, star defensive tackle Kenneth Grant officially declared for the NFL draft on December 26.

The 2024 ReliaQuest Bowl kicks off at 11 a.m. on New Year’s Eve at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. ESPN will broadcast the game live.

Michigan's 2024 football season will come to an end on Tuesday when the Wolverines face Alabama in the ReliaQuest Bowl on New Years Eve. It was an up-and-down season for Sherrone Moore during his first full season as the Wolverines' head coach.