Over the years, we’ve seen plenty of Dec. 31 or Jan. 1 bowls in Florida affected by inclement weather.
The Citrus and Gator Bowls in Orlando and Jacksonville have seen their share of wet conditions, and we can’t forget the ReliaQuest Bowl, formerly known as the Outback Bowl, which gave us this rain-soaked classic on New Year’s Day 2007. In this year’s ReliaQuest Bowl on Tuesday, Michigan and Alabama are closing out 2024 in a torrential downpour.
It has been raining heavily in Tampa since this morning, and shows no signs of stopping. Almost one full year to the day since they met in the Rose Bowl in sunny Pasadena, the Wolverines and Crimson Tide are mucking it up this afternoon.
The rain is coming down here in Tampa
Might be a “run the ball” type of game pic.twitter.com/CdqM9XrS6t
— Wyatt Fulton (@FultonW_) December 31, 2024
“We ain’t in Pasadena right now” — Dave Flemming pic.twitter.com/6ZzDbFtNmY
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) December 31, 2024
We’ll see if the rain continues all game long, but it has already had an impact.
After Michigan took a 3-0 lead on a 45-yard Dominic Zvada field goal with 8:15 left in the first quarter, Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe mishandled the shotgun snap on the first play of his team’s ensuing possession. Michigan recovered, leading to another Zvada field goal, this one from 30 yards out.
The Wolverines had a disappointing encore to their 2024 national championship campaign, but could finish on a high note with back-to-back wins over Ohio State and Alabama if they are able to pull this game out today.
The Wolverines just intercepted Milroe, and are on the verge of taking a two-score lead. Thus far, everything is breaking right for the Maize and Blue.
Alabama-Michigan is the first of five bowl games to be played today. The slate commences with the first of four College Football Playoff quarterfinals tonight, featuring Boise State and Penn State in the Fiesta Bowl.
You can stay dry and watch the ReliaQuest Bowl from the comfort of your own home on ESPN.
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