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Michigan to play Alabama in Citrus Bowl on Jan. 1

The Wolverines and Crimson Tide will square off on New Year’s Day in Orlando, Florida.

Ohio State State v Michigan Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images

The Michigan Wolverines now know their bowl fate, as they will be heading to to Vrbo Citrus Bowl on Jan. 1 in Orlando, Florida to take on the Alabama Crimson Tide. This had been a rumored potential matchup throughout the week and it was reported on Sunday afternoon just a few hours after the College Football Playoff field was announced. Stadium’s Brett McMurphy had it first and it was confirmed by the bowl later in the afternoon.

Michigan is coming off of a 9-3 regular season that had losses to Wisconsin, Penn State and Ohio State, while Alabama was 10-2 and lost to LSU and Auburn.

This will be the fifth time that the Wolverines and Crimson Tide have met on the field with the all-time series tied at 2-2. The last time they played was in 2012 in the season opener where Alabama beat Michigan 41-14 at Cowboys Stadium. Michigan’s last win over Alabama came in the Orange Bowl in 2000 in a 35-34 overtime victory.

The two others meetings took place in the 1997 Outback Bowl (17-14 Alabama) and the 1988 Hall of Fame Bowl (28-24).

The Vrbo Citrus Bowl kicks off at 1 p.m. ET on Jan. 1 from Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.