What a weird season.

Michigan rounded out 2024 with a 19-13 win over Alabama. While the Wolverines finished the season 8-5 overall, I can’t say I’m unhappy. Michigan didn’t fix things on offense, but its defense stepped up time and time again in the ReliaQuest Bowl. Even without Kenneth Grant, Mason Graham and Josaiah Stewart, the Wolverines pressured Jalen Milroe on nearly every down.

Here are four winners and two losers from Michigan’s bowl victory.

Winner: The Moores

Michigan relied on a well-equipped defensive front to pressure Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe, and edge Derrick Moore was a pretty impressive part of that unit. He finished with four tackles, including two sacks, and a fumble recovery. Without him, it’s tough to see Michigan having the same dominant first-quarter performance.

Wide receiver Fred Moore is also a winner in this one. He finished with three catches for 37 yards, including one impressive touchdown reception. He didn’t show that kind of fight for most of the season, but it’s still nice to see it finally in this game. With no Colston Loveland, the connection between him and Davis Warren was nice to see and proved to be the difference-maker in the game.

Loser: Jadyn Davis

Michigan’s staff made the safest decision putting Alex Orji in the game when Warren got hurt. Yes, the Wolverines won the game, but true freshman Jadyn Davis is certainly on the losing end of the decision.

Orji finished with 13 rushing yards, two passing yards and one interception. Alabama felt comfortable bringing everyone to stop the run, and most of what Orji did was hand the ball off to his running back. It would have been nice to see what Davis brings to the table at the position considering he will be around next season while Orji is playing somewhere else.

Winner: Jordan Marshall

Running back Jordan Marshall probably had the most expectations ahead of this game, and he showed up. Carrying the ball 23 times for 100 yards, including an impressive 24-yard carry, Marshall impressed right off the bat. While he only averaged 4.3 yards a carry, that is impressive when you’ve got an offense as one-dimensional as this one, especially for a true freshman who just got his first start. He’ll be a guy to lean on in 2025.

Loser: Michigan’s red-zone offense

Dominic Zvada is amazing, we get it! But when you get the ball back with a short field, it was mildly annoying to see the Wolverines walk away with so many field goals. The offense was missing some components and shifted things on the offensive line, but the play calling and plays themselves should’ve been better. It would have been nice if they had at least one more touchdown when it all was said and done. Here’s to 2025, and hoping Chip Lindsey can make some adjustments on that side of the ball.

Winner: Dominic Zvada

One of the best parts of the television broadcast was the commentators speculating if Zvada would be “automatic” when weather conditions were less than ideal. Turns out he was. Zvada went 4-for-4, with a long of 45 yards. He scored 13 of the Wolverines’ 19 points, so it’s really nice he will be back next season as well.

Winner: Aamir Hall

Michigan’s secondary had a huge impact in this game. Unlike a few other teams I can think of, those few big plays didn’t cost the Wolverines the game. Cornerback Aamir Hall topped the list of contributors in the secondary with a team-leading nine tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and a huge pass breakup in the end zone.

Might I also add — we’re all winners for not having to watch a score, a commercial break, a kickoff, followed by another commercial break. Yes, I’m talking about you, FOX.

Who are your winners and losers after Michigan’s performance against Alabama? Let us know in the comments!