Alabama vs. Michigan final score, results: Blake Corum, Wolverines win overtime thriller to reach CFP championship

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Dan Treacy
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Michigan didn't win a game by fewer than 24 points until Week 11, so there were naturally some questions about how the Wolverines would handle a tight game on a big stage. Consider those questions answered.

Facing a 20-13 deficit late in the fourth quarter after a series of disappointing drives, Michigan saw an opportunity to make a statement and took it. J.J. McCarthy took the Wolverines 75 yards down the field for the game-tying touchdown, on a drive that was kickstarted by an excellent fourth-and-2 play call and capped off by two crucial plays from Roman Wilson.

Michigan's defense got a quick stop on the ensuing drive, setting up the offense with a chance to win in regulation, but a muffed punt pinned the Wolverines just inches from the goal line and erased any chance of avoiding overtime.

MORE: Watch the College Football Playoff semifinals live with Fubo (free trial)

While special teams mistakes cost Michigan all night, Jim Harbaugh's team kept its spirits high. Blake Corum muscled his way into the end zone just two plays into overtime, and a defense that was so dominant throughout the season came up with one of the biggest stops in program history by keeping Jalen Milroe out of the end zone on fourth-and-goal minutes later.

Alabama was thrilled just to end up in the College Football Playoff after a sluggish start to the season, but Nick Saban will spend the offseason wondering how a game they controlled late into the fourth quarter got away from them so rapidly.

Michigan, meanwhile, wins a playoff game for the first time and will play for a national championship against Washington in Houston next Monday. In a season that was often overshadowed by scandal and suspensions, Harbaugh and the Wolverines have a chance to etch their name into the history books.

MORE: Why Michigan will upend Washington in the College Football Playoff championship

The Sporting News tracked live updates and highlights from Alabama vs. Michigan in the College Football Playoff semifinals. Check out all of the key moments you might have missed from the Wolverines' win.Alabama vs. Michigan final score

  1  2 3 4 OT F 
Alabama 7 3 0 10 0 20
Michigan 7 6 0 7 7 27

Alabama vs. Michigan results, highlights from College Football Playoff semifinal

(All times Eastern)

Final: Michigan 27, Alabama 20

8:44 p.m. — The snap is low, Alabama can't go anywhere, and Michigan is going to play for a championship! What a game. What a finish. The Wolverines have broken through in the College Football Playoff.

8:42 p.m. — Alabama takes a timeout...

8:41 p.m. — Michigan takes a timeout...

8:40 p.m. — It may be more than just a cramp for Burton as these two teams wait for this massive play from the 3-yard line.

8:39 p.m. — Jermaine Burton picks up 11 yards and appears to be cramping up. It will come down to one play...

8:38 p.m. — Milroe is SACKED by Mason Graham on second down. It'll be 3rd & Goal from the 14 for Alabama. They need a touchdown.

8:37 p.m. — Milroe takes off to set up 1st & Goal for Alabama...

Michigan 27, Alabama 20

8:34 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — How about that? Corum just barrels his way into the end zone to put Michigan in front two plays into overtime.

8:33 p.m. — Michigan starts with the ball and begins with a solid 8-yard run by Corum. 

End of regulation: Alabama 20, Michigan 20

8:29 p.m. — The Rose Bowl is headed to overtime (rules here).

8:26 p.m. — Michigan seems content to take this to overtime after that disaster. 

8:25 p.m. — Another brutal special teams moment for Michigan as Burnip's punt is muffed. The Wolverines are fortunate not to turn it over, but they have to start at their own 1-yard line...

8:24 p.m. — Michigan makes a huge tackle to prevent the first down, and the Wolverines will have a chance to end this game in regulation. Alabama is punting with 52 seconds left.

8:23 p.m. — Alabama picks up a first down but Milroe tossed a pair of incompletions with just over a minute left. The Tide face a crucial 3rd & 10.

8:21 p.m. — Milroe starts the drive strong with a 7-yard run.

Alabama 20, Michigan 20

8:18 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — Roman Wilson goes untouched into the end zone to tie the game! That was a statement drive by Michigan. It's 20-20 with 94 seconds on the clock.

8:15 p.m. — Roman Wilson goes up and gets a high pass from McCarthy to set up 1st & goal! Where has this Michigan offense been all half?

8:14 p.m. — Now McCarthy takes off running for a first down. Michigan still has 35 yards to go.

8:12 p.m. — What a play call by Michigan as Corum gets himself wide open for the first down and much more. An illegal block costs the Wolverines 10 yards, but they'll take it.

8:11 p.m. — McCarthy curiously throws down the middle on 3rd & 2, and Michigan continues to get a little too cute offensively. The Wolverines appear to be going for it here...

8:08 p.m. — This upcoming drive is pretty much it for Michigan, unless they quickly go three-and-out and get a stop of their own. This is the defining moment of J.J. McCarthy's college career.

Alabama 20, Michigan 13

8:03 p.m. FIELD GOAL — Special teams has been the difference. Reichard drills a 52-yard field goal to extend Alabama's lead to seven.

8:02 p.m. — Michigan's defense makes a play and sacks Milroe on third down. That will push Reichard's field goal attempt to 52...

8:01 p.m. — An illegal substitution penalty sets the Tide back five yards. Let's see if that makes an impact here.

8:00 p.m. — Jam Miller picks up a first down and more to take Alabama into Reichard's field goal range. Michigan's defense has taken a major step back in this quarter.

7:58 p.m. — Michigan is having a very hard time containing Jase McClellan, who takes Alabama past midfield. The Tide are leaning on him. 

7:53 p.m. — Michigan's special teams have been an unmitigated disaster today. The field goal attempt misses badly, and Alabama remains in control.

7:52 p.m. — Now Michigan sets itself way back after a botched pitch from Corum back to McCarthy. It's 3rd & 17.

7:51 p.m. — And Michigan starts its drive with a with a nice gain by Roman Wilson to move closer to field goal range...

7:50 p.m. FUMBLE — There's Michigan's break! Milroe gets the ball knocked out after taking off with his legs, and the Wolverines recover right near midfield.

7:45 p.m. — Michigan puts together an abysmal drive and immediately has to punt. The Wolverines dominated all season, but they look lost right now.

Alabama 17, Michigan 13

7:41 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — Jase McClellan runs it in and takes back the lead! The Tide are in front 17-13.

7:40 p.m. — Milroe rumbles his way to 1st & goal. Alabama has a chance for the first touchdown of the second half here.

End of third quarter: Michigan 13, Alabama 10

7:34 p.m. — Alabama is into the red zone after a pass to an open Isaiah Bond.

7:33 p.m. — Milroe turned a near-sack into a first down. That's exactly what the Tide are looking for him to do with his mobility.

7:32 p.m. — Alabama is quickly into Wolverines territory behind some success in the running game. 

7:28 p.m. — Now the Wolverines go nowhere on their drive... McCarthy looks a bit inaccurate in this half, and the running game hasn't been enough to make up for it. It's fair to wonder whether this game will just come down to which team can avoid mistakes over the final 18+ minutes.

7:23 p.m. — Alabama's drive goes nowhere, as Michigan's run defense does a nice job of bottling up McClellan. This is officially a defensive battle between these two heavyweights.

7:18 p.m. — McCarthy's completion to Tyler Morris is a little off, so the freshman isn't able to pick up the first down. The Wolverines will punt it back.

7:15 p.m. — Michigan gets a big break as replay overturns an incompletion and keeps the offense on the field. 

7:09 p.m. — It's a simple run by McClellan on 3rd & 29, so Alabama plays it about as safe as possible. The Tide will punt.

7:08 p.m. — Back-to-back bad snaps for the Tide as they lose more yardage. Alabama needs a huge play to get the first down and salvage this drive.

7:07 p.m. — Alabama has mostly avoided bad mistakes, but Milroe wasn't ready for the snap and just has to fall on it to avoid a turnover. It's 2nd & 23 after that setback.

7:05 p.m. — Alabama is moving the ball very well to start the second half, rumbling up from their own 14 to near midfield with some smart plays.

End of first half: Michigan 13, Alabama 10

6:36 p.m. FIELD GOAL — Will Reichard has an NFL leg. He drills a 50-yard attempt to cut Michigan's lead to three before the half. Michigan goes into halftime with a narrow lead, and the Tide get the ball to start the third quarter. 

6:33 p.m. — What a huge play by Michigan's defense to sack Milroe a fifth time and drive Alabama even farther back ahead of a field goal attempt.

6:31 p.m. — Michigan left way too much room for Milroe to run, allowing Alabama to get the first down after a false start set the Tide back. 48 seconds remaining in the half. 

6:29 p.m. — McClellan makes a play on third down and bursts ahead for a first down.

6:26 p.m. — A really impressive play by Isaiah Bond to catch a pass from Milroe along the sideline. A bit of a dangerous pass, but Alabama is going to need Milroe to take a few risks like that. 

Michigan 13, Alabama 7

6:21 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — Woah! Facing a critical 3rd & 10 outside of field goal range, McCarthy finds Tyler Morris, who accelerates down the sideline for a go-ahead touchdown. What a play. The extra point try was botched, so Michigan only leads by six.

6:19 p.m. — Insanity! Donovan Edwards pitches it back to McCarthy, who barely hangs onto the pass, and he somehow gets it to Roman Wilson for a 16-yard gain to go into Alabama territory. 

6:18 p.m. — The Wolverines are moving, as McCarthy hits Colston Loveland to pick up the second first down of this drive.

6:14 p.m. — Michigan's run defense comes through with another big play to force the punt.

6:11 p.m. — Alabama unsuccessfully turns to the running game on this drive, gaining one yard on two plays. The Tide are hoping to avoid a third consecutive three-and-out. 

6:06 p.m. — It'll be a punt for Michigan. The Wolverines got away from the running game on that drive, and it resulted in a quick three-and-out. 

6:04 p.m. — McCarthy had an open receiver on 2nf & 6, but his pass sailed too high. A big third down coming for Michigan. 

6:00 p.m. — Milroe makes up some yardage on 3rd & 23, but it's not nearly enough. Michigan's defense gets off the field quickly for the second consecutive drive.

5:59 p.m. — Make it FOUR sacks for Michigan, as Milroe gets brought down on back-to-back plays. It's 3rd & 23. 

5:58 p.m. — Michigan's defense gets Milroe again, and it was a direct shot. Alabama's offensive line missed that one. 

5:57 p.m. — Kool-Aid McKinstry makes a great play to prevent Semaj Morgan from getting the first down, so Michigan punts it back to the Tide.

End of first quarter: Alabama 7, Michigan 7

5:53 p.m. — An unnecessary roughness penalty on Max Bredeson turns what would've been a Michigan first down into a 2nd & 11. 

5:51 p.m. — Right now, Michigan's running game is overpowering Alabama. The Tide have excelled at adjusting in-game, so it will be interesting to see how much longer the Wolverines are able to have this kind of success.

5:50 p.m. — Semaj Morgan picks up a first down to give Michigan a little more breathing room.

5:48 p.m. — Alabama's punter takes a hit at the end of the play, and the Tide faithful are frustrated with no flag on the field. James Burnip walks off gingerly, so that's something to monitor the rest of the way. 

5:47 p.m. — Milroe takes off on 3rd & 11 and appears to slip three yards before the first down marker, so Alabama will be forced to punt. Michigan's defense with a quick response after allowing the touchdown on the last drive.

5:45 p.m. — Welcome to the College Football Playoff, where a touchdown is followed by a commercial break, a fruitless kickoff, and then another commercial break.

Alabama 7, Michigan 7

5:38 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — What a response by Michigan. Corum gets free and walks into the end zone on a pass from McCarthy, and the Wolverines have quickly gone down the field to tie this game. 

5:36 p.m. — McCarthy looks like he's starting to gain some confidence, evading Alabama's pass-rush and finding Kalel Mullings along the sideline for a first down.

5:35 p.m. — Corum leaves no doubt and surges ahead for the first down. Michigan is getting closer to field goal range, but Jim Harbaugh is looking to match Alabama's touchdown. 

5:34 p.m. — A designed run takes J.J. McCarthy right up to about the first down marker, but he didn't get there. Michigan figures to go for it here, needing only a yard.

5:31 p.m. — Blake Corum bullies his way into Alabama territory. Both of these teams seem to be figuring out that running the ball is the path to success offensively.

Alabama 7, Michigan 0

5:27 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — No one could keep up with Jase McClellan, who goes untouched for a huge early touchdown. Alabama leads, 7-0.

5:26 p.m. — Alabama barely picks up another first down to keep the drive alive. Milroe was pushed just far enough past the marker. 

5:22 p.m. — Milroe scampers for a first down, and Michigan has a player down.  

5:20 p.m. FUMBLE — What a disaster for the Wolverines, as Semaj Morgan muffs the punt with no one around him and Alabama recovers. This game has been defined by mistakes so far. 

5:19 p.m. — Michigan's pass-rush gets Milroe again on third down! This game has been dominated by defense on the opening drives. Alabama will punt.

5:17 p.m. — Milroe is sacked for a huge loss on Alabama's first offensive snap. Michigan's defense brought the pressure, and the Tide's offensive line just couldn't hold up.

5:16 p.m. — McCarthy throws incomplete on third down, so the Wolverines will start the day with a punt. Preventing Alabama from gathering momentum with a scoring drive will be critical for Michigan.

5:14 p.m. — The ruling is NO interception, as Downs was out of bounds before coming back in and intercepting the ball. A huge break for Michigan just seven seconds in.

5:12 p.m. — McCarthy is picked off by Caleb Downs on the first play of the game! If McCarthy is going to make mistakes like that, this is going to be a long day for Michigan.

5:10 p.m. — Michigan will start with the ball, looking to make an early dent in Alabama's defense.

5:00 p.m. — We're still about 10 minutes from kickoff as the festivities take place. 

4:57 p.m. — Alabama is a popular pick in this game, but there was a large portion of the season when the Tide just didn't look the part offensively. The big test will be whether the offense can get into an early rhythm against one of the nation's toughest defenses.

4:45 p.m. — The Harbaugh brothers have a chance to make 2024 a magical year, as this appears to be Jim's best shot at a national championship while John has led the Ravens to the best record in the NFL. 

4:35 p.m. — Michigan didn't have Blake Corum during last year's CFP loss to TCU. Expect the running back to be the focal point of the Wolverines' offense today, if they can keep this game where they want it.

11 a.m. — Michigan's pregame video is voiced by Lions star and former Wolverine Aidan Hutchinson: 

10:31 a.m. — Alabama is first with the game-day hype video, narrated by former running back Mark Ingram. He won a title and a Heisman Trophy with the Tide in 2009 and, coincidentally or not, grew up in Michigan. 

Alabama vs. Michigan start time

  • Kickoff: 5 p.m. ET (2 p.m. PT)

The Rose Bowl is set to kick off at 5 p.m. ET on Monday, Jan. 1. It is the first of the two Playoff games, with the Sugar Bowl between No. 2 Washington and No. 3 Texas kicking off at 8:45 p.m. ET.

What channel is Alabama vs. Michigan on today?

  • TV network (national): ESPN

Alabama vs. Michigan will be broadcast nationally on ESPN. Chris Fowler (play-by-play) and Kirk Herbstreit (color analyst) will be on the call from the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.

ESPN is also rolling out its Megacast for the College Football Playoff, once again providing alternate broadcasts across its family of networks with just about the same setup as last season's semifinals.

Telecast  TV channel 
Field Pass with The Pat McAfee Show ESPN2
Command Center ESPNU
Skycast ESPN News
Spanish-language ESPN Deportes

How to live stream College Football Playoff games 

  • Live streams: ESPN App, Fubo

Both College Football Playoff semifinals will be available to stream live on all of the network's digital platforms, including ESPN.com and the ESPN App. 

Cord-cutters have several live streaming options, including Fubo, which offers a free trial:

Streaming option  Cable subscription needed?  Free?  Cost  Free trial? 
ESPN.com/ESPN App Yes Yes - -
Fubo No No $75/month Yes
AT&T TV Now No No $70/month Yes
Hulu Plus Live TV No No $76/month Yes
Sling TV No No $40/month No
YouTube TV No No $73/month Yes

College Football Playoff schedule

Date Bowl Matchup Time (ET) TV
Jan. 1 Rose Bowl (CFP semifinal) No. 1 Michigan vs. No. 4 Alabama 5 p.m. ESPN, Fubo
Jan. 1 Sugar Bowl (CFP semifinal) No. 2 Washington vs. No. 3 Texas 8:45 p.m. ESPN, Fubo
Jan. 8 CFP National Championship Game TBD vs. TBD 7:30 p.m. ESPN, Fubo
Author(s)
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Dan Treacy

Dan Treacy is a content producer for Sporting News.

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