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No. 11 Alabama’s Three First-Quarter Turnovers Doom Crimson Tide in ReliaQuest Bowl Loss to Michigan
In a game billed as a clash of titans, No. 11 Alabama’s early mistakes proved catastrophic. The Crimson Tide’s hopes of closing out the season with a statement win crumbled under the weight of three devastating first-quarter turnovers, leading to a 34-21 defeat at the hands of No. 7 Michigan in the 2025 ReliaQuest Bowl.
The Wolverines, coming off a narrow loss in the College Football Playoff semifinals, played with something to prove—and it showed from the opening kickoff. Alabama, meanwhile, looked disjointed and rattled early, setting a tone they would struggle to shake the rest of the afternoon at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.
Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, making his fourth career start in place of Jalen Milroe, struggled to establish rhythm under Michigan’s relentless pressure. On the Crimson Tide’s second offensive play of the game, Simpson’s short pass was deflected and picked off by Michigan linebacker Junior Colson, who returned it 27 yards to the Alabama 18-yard line. Two plays later, Michigan running back Donovan Edwards punched it in from five yards out to put the Wolverines ahead 7-0.
On the very next possession, disaster struck again. Alabama wide receiver Kendrick Law, trying to gain extra yardage after a short reception, fumbled the ball at the Tide’s 35-yard line. Michigan safety Rod Moore recovered, and Michigan again capitalized with a 41-yard field goal from James Turner, stretching their lead to 10-0 before Alabama’s offense had even recorded a first down.
And then came the knockout punch.
With just under two minutes remaining in the first quarter, Simpson was strip-sacked by Michigan edge rusher Jaylen Harrell. The ball popped free, and defensive tackle Kenneth Grant scooped it up and rumbled to the Alabama 12. One play later, quarterback J.J. McCarthy found wideout Roman Wilson on a quick slant for a touchdown. Just like that, it was 17-0, and Alabama was shellshocked.
Head coach Nick Saban, visibly frustrated on the sideline during the opening quarter, didn’t mince words postgame.
“You can’t turn the ball over three times in the first quarter against a team as good as Michigan and expect to win,” Saban said. “We shot ourselves in the foot, and credit to Michigan—they capitalized. But our execution was unacceptable.”
Saban also took time to credit the Wolverines’ defensive effort, particularly their ability to pressure Simpson without sending extra blitzers.
“They did a great job up front. We couldn’t get anything going because we were behind the chains all game. And when you’re playing catch-up, mistakes become magnified.”
For Michigan, the win was a statement of resilience and redemption. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy, playing in what many believe will be his final college game before declaring for the NFL Draft, was composed and precise throughout the afternoon. He completed 24-of-32 passes for 271 yards and two touchdowns, adding another 38 yards on the ground.
His chemistry with Roman Wilson was on full display, as the pair connected six times for 91 yards and a touchdown. Tight end Colston Loveland added five catches for 72 yards, stretching the Alabama defense and creating mismatches all over the field.
McCarthy’s highlight-reel moment came early in the third quarter when he rolled right under pressure and delivered a 28-yard strike on the run to Wilson, converting a critical third-and-17 and setting up another Michigan touchdown.
“We had a chip on our shoulder coming into this one,” McCarthy said. “We didn’t want to end the season on a loss, and we knew Alabama was going to be physical. But we believed in our game plan and executed when it mattered.”
Despite the early disasters, Alabama did not go quietly. After trailing 24-0 midway through the second quarter, the Crimson Tide finally put together a sustained drive. Simpson connected with Isaiah Bond on a deep 43-yard bomb, and running back Jase McClellan capped the possession with a six-yard touchdown run.
After forcing a rare Michigan punt, Alabama added another touchdown just before halftime, as Simpson hit tight end Amari Niblack from 12 yards out. The score cut the deficit to 24-14 at the break and injected some life into the Alabama sideline.
But the Tide’s second-half comeback bid sputtered. A promising drive to open the third quarter stalled inside the red zone after a false start on third-and-goal forced Alabama to settle for a 37-yard field goal attempt—which kicker Will Reichard pushed wide right.
Michigan responded with a 13-play, 75-yard drive that chewed over seven minutes off the clock and ended with a Blake Corum touchdown plunge. That drive all but sealed the win, pushing the Wolverines’ lead back to 31-14 early in the fourth quarter.
Alabama added a late touchdown on a 24-yard pass to Jermaine Burton, but it was too little, too late.
- Turnovers: Alabama 3, Michigan 0
- Time of Possession: Michigan 36:22, Alabama 23:38
- Total Yards: Michigan 412, Alabama 355
- First Downs: Michigan 23, Alabama 18
The Crimson Tide outgained Michigan after the first quarter but spent the rest of the game trying to dig out of the hole those early giveaways created.
Simpson finished 19-of-31 for 238 yards and two touchdowns but also had two costly turnovers. McClellan rushed for 77 yards on 12 carries, but Alabama largely abandoned the run game after falling behind by multiple scores.
The ReliaQuest Bowl loss marked Alabama’s third defeat of the season—joining setbacks against Texas and LSU—and added to the growing chorus of questions surrounding the program’s trajectory.
For the first time since 2010, Alabama failed to make a New Year’s Six bowl or the College Football Playoff. While most programs would consider an 11-win season a triumph, the standard in Tuscaloosa is different.
“We’re going to reevaluate everything,” Saban said postgame. “From how we practice to how we prepare, and yes, who we put on the field. Because clearly, what we did today isn’t the standard.”
That evaluation could extend to the quarterback position. With Milroe transferring and Simpson’s uneven play, Alabama may again explore the transfer portal for experience under center. There’s also five-star freshman Julian Sayin waiting in the wings.
The defense, long a staple of Saban’s reign, was also underwhelming. Despite individual standouts like Dallas Turner and Kool-Aid McKinstry, the unit struggled to generate pressure and got bullied in the trenches, allowing 176 rushing yards.
The Wolverines finish the season at 13-2 and ride into the offseason with momentum. After a bitter semifinal exit to Washington, this win over Alabama provides a statement victory and a building block for 2025.
Head coach Sherrone Moore, who officially took over after Jim Harbaugh’s NFL departure, praised his team’s toughness and focus.
“This group showed unbelievable character. They didn’t sulk after the playoff loss—they got back to work. And today, they earned everything.”
With McCarthy likely NFL-bound, Moore will turn to backup Alex Orji or hit the transfer portal for a veteran presence. But the Wolverines return a strong core on defense and along the offensive line, and they’ll once again be favorites in the Big Ten next year—especially with USC and Oregon entering the conference.
The ReliaQuest Bowl felt like a symbolic game. It may be the final college appearance for McCarthy, one of the most successful Michigan quarterbacks in recent memory. It may also be the last bowl game for Nick Saban, though the legendary coach has not given any indication of retirement.
But one thing is clear: the college football landscape is shifting.
With NIL money, the transfer portal, and conference realignment, stability is becoming rare—even for dynasties like Alabama. Michigan has adapted swiftly, while Alabama, for all its past dominance, appears to be searching for answers.
If this truly is the twilight of the Saban era, the loss to Michigan may go down not just as the end of a season—but as the end of an era.
For Alabama:
- QB Room: Is Ty Simpson the guy? Or does Saban bring in another high-profile transfer?
- Coaching Staff: Will there be shakeups, especially on the offensive side?
- Portal Needs: Offensive line depth, linebacker help, and maybe another wideout.
- Spring Ball Outlook: Expect intense competition, especially at quarterback and in the secondary.
For Michigan:
- Quarterback Future: All eyes on Orji or potential transfers.
- Defensive Identity: With Colson and Grant likely gone, new leaders must emerge.
- Big Ten Expansion: Can Michigan maintain dominance with Oregon, USC, and Washington entering the fray?
The 2025 ReliaQuest Bowl may not have been a playoff game, but its consequences will ripple deep into the offseason for both programs.
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