And that’s why Horton may be Alabama’s most significant transfer portal addition from the winter cycle. The former Miami wide receiver has 56 receptions for the Hurricanes this season, more than Ryan Williams, Germie Bernard, or anybody else on the Crimson Tide. He is 6-foot-4 and weighs 210 pounds, making him a huge target who could provide physicality to a receiving corps that could use a reliable option on third downs and in the red zone. Most importantly, he will add game experience, which is desperately lacking beyond Williams and Bernard.
Michigan has three returning running backs in sophomore Benjamin Hall, freshmen Jordan Marshall and Micah Ka’apana, and two 2025 signees in Jasper Parker and Donovan Johnson. Justice Haynes, a 5-foot-11, 200-pounder, has a prior relationship with Michigan running backs coach Tony Alford, who was previously the position coach at Ohio State.
ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI) has changed its forecast for the winner of the ReliaQuest Bowl game between Alabama and Michigan.
The Crimson Tide are the clear favorite in this game, according to FPI, with an 80.8% chance of winning outright. This game is a replay of last year’s Rose Bowl, which Michigan won to finish 15-0. That game marked the end of Nick Saban’s famous coaching tenure.
The rematch will be the last season of Kalen DeBoer’s first season at Alabama. The Crimson Tide finished 9-3 this season, just missing out on the College Football Playoff. They were the first team pulled out of the 12-team tournament, in favor of an SMU squad that had previously gone 11-2.
Yes, Alabama’s offense is superior to Michigan’s, but the Tide has lost games this season to Vanderbilt, Oklahoma, and a Tennessee team that was just exposed in a game against Ohio State, which Michigan defeated. The only thing keeping Alabama relevant is its victory over Georgia.
Looking at the overall records, these teams don’t appear to belong in the same category, but Alabama’s strength of schedule was the 22nd toughest in the country, according to ESPN, while Michigan’s was the seventh toughest. Alabama may have a better record than Michigan, but I don’t believe it is one of the hardest teams in the country. Pro Football Focus puts the Tide’s offense at No. 23 in the country
Michigan has faced numerous more explosive offenses this season.
Alabama also defeated South Carolina and blew away Missouri at home and Wisconsin on the road. SP+ is significantly more positive on Alabama’s offensive, placing it third overall and the strongest Michigan will play. Of course, Alabama is rated fourth overall, with four playoff teams ranked outside the top 12, but I digress.
Meanwhile, Michigan’s offensive has been absolutely terrible this season.
Michigan’s passing offense has been among the worst in college football.
The Wolverines average 133.6 passing yards per game, which ranks fifth in the FBS after Iowa, Navy, Air Force, and Army. Michigan quarterbacks have thrown 11 touchdowns, tied for ninth-fewest in NCAA football (with Florida State, Central Michigan, Louisiana Monroe, and Wyoming), and 12 interceptions.
Davis Warren, who has 1,126 passing yards, six touchdowns, and nine interceptions, has been Michigan’s starter for much of the season. Alex Orgi and Jack Tuttle both started for the Wolverines in 2024.
Michigan’s offense averages 22.3 points per game, which ranks fifth worst in the Big Ten.
SP+ ranks Michigan’s offense 89th. This game will come down to whether Alabama shows up.
