Rose Bowl will be latest in short but historic rivalry

When the Alabama Crimson Tide and Michigan Wolverines face off in the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day, many will simply consider the game yet another matchup between two of college football's blue bloods. 

After notching the program's 1,000th victory this year, Michigan is the winningest program in the sport's history. And who's that ranked second? None other than the Crimson Tide with 965 wins.

So why did the Michigan team and their supporters seem to gasp when Alabama was announced as their opponent in the College Football Playoff? It's likely a matter of recent history.

The two programs first met on the field in 1988 and have only played five times. Alabama holds a slim 3-2 advantage, but those last two games were both Crimson Tide wins that came in demoralizing fashion.

To kick off the 2012 season, Alabama and Michigan met in Dallas, where the Tide cruised to a 41-14 win over the then-No. 8 Wolverines.

And then on Jan. 1, 2020, a Tide squad that fell short of its national title hopes faced off against No. 14 Michigan in the Citrus Bowl, and unfortunately for the Wolverines, Alabama's pent-up frustration was focused on them.

The game's first play from scrimmage was an an all-too-easy 85-yard touchdown catch and run by Jerry Jeudy, and Alabama ended up winning by three scores, 35-16.

While the Michigan players likely don't remember it, the Wolverines have a heartbreaking win of their own. In the 2000 Orange Bowl, a Tom Brady-led Michigan upset the No. 5 Tide 35-34 in overtime.

If Michigan takes down the Tide in Pasadena on New Year's Day, they'll do more than just tie a young rivalry between storied programs. They'll reset the recent narrative that Michigan (and, by extension, the Big Ten) can't hang with Alabama (and, by extension, the SEC). 

So don't be surprised if this one's as close as Michigan vs. Alabama was at the turn of the millennium. Not only are both teams playing for a shot at a national title, but this is the Granddaddy of Them All. One way or another, history will be made.