Michigan picked up a transfer portal commitment from former Northwestern offensive lineman Josh Priebe on Thursday morning, he announced via his social media feeds. His addition gives the Wolverines their second transfer portal commitment of the process this offseason; he joins fellow Big Ten standout Jaishawn Barham (linebacker/Maryland).
Sherrone Moore and company are expected to lose a few interior linemen this offseason with Zak Zinter, Trevor Keegan and Drake Nugent all unlikely to return at this juncture. Priebe gives them a quality player alongside expected returners like Giovanni El-Hadi, Greg Crippen, Raheem Anderson and Amir Herring among others.
The NCAA transfer portal cycle for the 2024 college football season has officially opened. The portal has fully cranked into gear with the FBS transfer window beginning Dec. 4 and ending Jan. 2, 2024. Though some players announced their intentions to transfer prior to Monday, they could not officially enter the portal until it opened.
Given that thousands of FBS players enter the portal each cycle and NIL has become a differentiating factor in player acquisition, expect to see plenty of movement this offseason in what has become one of the most important periods on the college football calendar.
In addition to the notable transfer players that will be listed below as the process continues over the next month, keep it locked here as CBS Sports and 247Sports cover the transfer portal window from top to bottom with a live tracker, updated rankings and much more. Hit the key links below and keep scrolling for live updates.
By the numbers preview: How No. 1 Michigan, No. 4 Alabama stack up statistically ahead of Rose Bowl game
We break down how the two teams stack up out of 133 FBS teams and discuss what it all means for the game in our By the Numbers story below.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — After nearly a month of buildup, it’s officially game week for the Michigan football team. The undefeated and first-ranked Wolverines arrived in Los Angeles Tuesday, as they prepare to take on No. 4 Alabama in the Prudential Rose Bowl as part of the College Football Playoff.
There is no shortage of storylines surrounding the star-studded matchup, but what do the numbers say about the contest? As we do for every game, we break down how the two teams stack up out of 133 FBS teams and discuss what it all means for the game in our By the Numbers story below.
Getting started
For all the consternation nationwide about Alabama not deserving to get in to the College Football Playoff, the Crimson Tide line up on paper as the second-best team in the four-team College Football Playoff field. Alabama is fresh off a win over previously unbeaten Georgia in Atlanta, has 14-point wins over ranked foes LSU, Mississippi and Tennessee) and has played the third-toughest schedule in the country this season.
And as is seemingly always the case for Alabama, the Crimson Tide are loaded with talented recruits. According to 247Sports’ team talent composite, the Crimson Tide have a whopping 18 former five-star recruits and 56 former four-star recruits, giving them the highest number of former four- or five-star recruits since at least the beginning of the 21st century.
The public discourse around Alabama was about this season being a bust after a home loss to Texas. But a win over Georgia capped what was an impressive turnaround after that loss for the Crimson Tide.
Michigan offense vs. Alabama defense
Though Penn State And Ohio State weren’t slouches in this department, Alabama may have the most impressive combination of pass-rushers and defensive backs in the country this season. Up front, Dallas Turner and Chris Braswell rank among the top 10 edge rushers in power-five football in quarterback pressures, pass-rushing production and pass-rushing win rate, per Pro Football Focus. Though they “only” have 17 combined sacks, their advanced pass-rushing metrics, including 106 quarterback pressures, compare to Michigan’s duo of Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo in 2021. Both are former top-40 recruits and projected top-40 NFL Draft picks and have more than enough size and athleticism to cause problems in any down or distance.
It isn’t much easier for the Wolverines downfield, where Kool-Aid McKinstry and Terrion Arnold are projected first-round NFL Draft picks and Caleb Downs was one of the nation’s top freshmen this year.
The Crimson Tide don’t have the disruptive pass-defense numbers that Penn State, Ohio State and Iowa did — Alabama is 32nd in interceptions, 59th in passes defended and 43rd in completion percentage allowed — but has also faced far more proficient passing offenses. Alabama has already faced four top-30 passing offenses in yards per game in No. 4 LSU, No. 10 Georgia, No. 18 Texas and No. 27 Ole Miss, while Michigan has faced just two passing offenses in the top 50 all season (No. 20 Maryland, No. 22 Ohio State), and five ranked 123rd or lower out of 133 FBS teams. It is worth noting that Alabama’s pass defense hasn’t looked superhuman in those tougher challenges. Against those four aforementioned top-30 passing offenses, the Crimson Tide have allowed an average of 277.3 passing yards per game, 8.1 yards per attempt and five touchdowns to two interceptions.
Just as JJ McCarthy, Roman Wilson and Michigan’s offensive line are facing so-called “money games” against touted draft prospects, Alabama’s edges and defensive backs are out to prove their abilities against a talented passing attack, too.
In run defense, it’s odd to see an Alabama defense rank outside the top 30 in tackles for loss, yards per game and yards per carry allowed, but here we are. In its last five games, including an FCS matchup against Chattanooga, Alabama has allowed 749 rushing yards on 4.8 yards per carry with 10 rushing touchdowns. The Crimson Tide are outside the top 30 in carries of at least 10 yards allowed, outside the top 50 in carries of at least 20 yards allowed and outside the top 70 in carries of at least 30 yards allowed.
Alabama is a good tackling team in run defense (10.5 percent), but does seem to lose on the line of scrimmage. The Crimson Tide record a non-sack tackle for loss on 11.0 percent of opponent carries, allow a first down on 22.5 percent of carries and allow 12.5 of carries to go for at least 10 yards. By comparison, Michigan records a TFL on 11.3 percent of carries, but holds opponents to first downs on 18.9 percent of carries and only 9.9 percent of carries have gone for at least 10 yards.
Alabama offense vs. Michigan defense
After losing quarterback Bryce Young, offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien and three of their top four receivers to the NFL, the Crimson Tide’s passing game opened the season looking to reload. And after a so-so first five games games — 195.4 yards per game, 9.0 yards per attempt, six touchdowns and three interceptions — Alabama largely did that. Jalen Milroe has improved all season, and is one of the nation’s best deep-ball passers; he ranks third nationally in touchdowns on passes at least 20 yards downfield, fourth in passing rating on such passes and fifth in yards per attempt on those attempts.
Jermaine Burton has been a big part of that downfield success, as the senior ranks third nationally with 22.2 yards per reception with 484 yards on 20 deep-ball targets with zero drops. The same player who had a 57-yard touchdown reception against Michigan for Georgia in the 2021 Orange Bowl ranks second out of 357 qualified receivers this season with an average depth of target of 21.0 yards, headlining a pass-catching room that is down compared to recent seasons.
If there’s a weak point in Alabama’s passing game, it the group’s pass-protection. Ranking 118th in sacks allowed per game, 95th in PFF’s pass-blocking efficiency and 46th in PFF’s pass-blocking grade, this is a weak point for the Crimson Tide. So far this season, Milroe has been under pressure in 36.5 percent of his drop backs this season. The redshirt sophomore is still averaging a healthy 10.0 yards per attempt when under pressure, compared to 10.6 in a clean pocket. But Michigan getting pressure can still make a difference. His completion percentage drops from 71.1 percent to 45.8 percent and his interception rate drops from 2.0 percent to 3.4 percent.
In the run game, Milroe is once again the star. Lead back Jase McClellan is seen as a mid-round prospect and is a former top-100 recruit, but also is averaging 4.8 yards per carry this fall, and that includes 4.6 yards per carry and four touchdowns in nine games against Power-Five opponents. He’s also coming off injury sustained against Auburn Nov. 25.
As a team, Alabama is averaging 3.8 yards per carry and 152 yards per game against Power-Five opponents. Big plays have been there — the Crimson Tide are 10th in runs of at least 10 yards and 25th in carries of at least 20 yards — and Milroe is among the best rushing quarterbacks in the country (more on that below). But Alabama also has a first-down rate of just 24.1 percent, and ranks outside the top 80 nationally in rushing average on second downs (107th) and third downs (86th).
The Crimson Tide’s ground game has been battle-tested, facing four top-25 run defenses (Texas, Texas A&M, Tennessee and Georgia). But against those defenses, Alabama totaled just 382 yards in four games, with two touchdowns and 2.65 yards per carry. PFF likes the quality of the Crimson Tide’s run-blocking, but they are averaging just 2.3 yards before contact per carry, more of an average to below-average clip nationally.
Arguably the biggest strength of Alabama’s run game is Milroe’s ability to make plays in the run game. With legitimate speed and improving vision and elusiveness, the quarterback has 693 non-sack rushing yards (eighth among power-five quarterbacks), 12 rushing touchdowns (second), 30 carries of at least 10 yards (third) and 44 rushing first downs (fifth). He has been effective this season when the rest of Alabama’s run game wasn’t, making containing him one of the biggest keys of this matchup for Michigan.
Special teams and miscellaneous
The Crimson Tide have a high-quality special teams unit. Reichard has kicked like a future NFL kicker this season, with a 10-for-13 clip on attempts of at least 40 yards and the nation’s No. 15 field-goal percentage. Burnip leads the nation in punting hang time (he and Tommy Doman are in battle for the crown, at 4.39 seconds to 4.37, while no one else is above 4.25), and gets plenty of distance, too, helping Alabama rank 12th in net punting average. Law is an above-average kickoff returner, with plenty of strong returns even if he doesn’t have a touchdown yet.
Really, the only weak point has been punt returns, where the Crimson Tide switched from Kool-Aid McKinstry after his third muffed punt (and 95 total yards on 14 returns) for Downs, who had a touchdown, but not much else in his other three returns.
Alabama is better at avoiding self-inflicted penalties this season, but that remains a problem, especially on defense, and stands out against a Michigan team that really doesn’t commit penalties of its own.
Pro Football Focus grades
PFF likes these two teams as arguably the cleanest, most consistent defenses in the country, though both offenses have a few holes. The Crimson Tide are led by stellar play both in the pass-rush and in the secondary, while pass-blocking is a problem Michigan will have to correct.
When it comes to advantages the Wolverines could exploit, we’re keeping an eye on Alabama’s pass-protection. Combined with the sack and pressure rates allowed mentioned above, and Michigan has a serious opportunity to limit the Crimson Tide’s offensive abilities in ways a lot of SEC defenses were unable to do.
Still, it’s clear by these numbers and all the ones above it that this will be a battle between some of the best five defenses and best five overall teams in the country. A New Year’s playoff game set in Pasadena would deserve nothing less.
100 quick thoughts on 100 college basketball teams before conference play heats up
Conference play heats up in a hurry. 100 takes on 100 teams!
We’ve been given a little taste of conference play, but it starts in earnest across the country this week. 100 takes on 100 different college basketball teams. What have we learned?
Let’s start with the Big East.
Here. We. Go.
1. I think Villanova needs to get to the rim more. Less than a third of Villanova’s shots come at the rim. That shouldn’t happen with all the mismatches Villanova’s wings can create. In short: Drive. The. Ball.
2. I think the shooting jump for Devin Carter is all the way real. The Providence junior has hit at least three 3-pointers in eight games this year. That happened just twice in the two previous seasons.
3. I think UConn is a bit unlucky defensively. Opponents are shooting nearly 40% on 86 guarded catch-and-shoot 3-pointers this season against the Huskies. That won’t be sticky.
4. I think an aggressive, assertive David Joplin changes the equation for Marquette. The 6-foot-8 junior wing is being asked to do more defensively this season, so his conditioning is paramount. Marquette desperately needs him to have juice in his tank for the offensive end.
5. I think Xavier has a gem in Quincy Olivari. The Rice transfer leads all Big East players in transition points (84) this season.
6. I think RJ Luis makes Rick Pitino’s rotation wildly more competent. St. John’s has something in the UMass transfer.
7. I think Butler coach Thad Matta is doing an incredible job. Butler has the third-best offense in the Big East so far this year, and it doesn’t look flukey at all.
8. I think Jaden Bediako is Seton Hall’s best option at the 5 by a wide margin. The Pirates have a +18 net rating with Bediako on the floor and a -8.39 net rating when he sits. He’s so good at what he does best (chase offensive rebounds, protect the rim).
9. I think opponents will constantly keep targeting Creighton’s Steven Ashworth. The 6-foot-1, 170-pound veteran has some big tests on the way if he wants to stay on the floor during crunch time.
10. I think DePaul isn’t giving itself a real chance right now. The Demon Deacons are shooting a Big East-worst 55% at the rim.
11. I think Georgetown has no chance to be competitive unless the rim defense gets much better in a hurry. Opponents shoot nearly 62% at the rim against the Hoyas which is one of the worst marks nationally.
Pac-12
12. I think it’s a bit concerning that Kylan Boswell is shooting just 10 for 34 (29%) from 3-point range in Arizona’s six toughest games this season. That can’t be a bugaboo all year if Arizona wants to win the National Championship.
13. I think Eddie Lampkin, the passer demands your attention. The TCU transfer big man has multiple dimes in nine of Colorado’s 11 games this season. His assist rate has nearly doubled.
14. I think Utah has a legit shot to finish second in the league. An already-old team got a boost with now-freed, Georgia Tech transfer Deivon Smith bolstering the backcourt. Gabe Madsen, Cole Bajema and Branden Carlson are net strippers Smith desperately needed to play with.
15. I think USC needs whatever Vince Iwuchukwu has in the tank. The five-star sophomore big man has been a major difference-maker when he can avoid foul trouble.
16. I think I’m all the way in on Oregon freshman Jackson Shelstad. The bursty, 6-foot guard is simply good at basketball. Even when the Ducks get healthy, Shelstad might need to stay on the floor for 35+ minutes.
17. I think Washington has to get Paul Mulcahy going. The Rutgers transfer was stapled to the bench for the final 26ish minutes in Washington’s double-overtime win over Seattle. The fifth-year senior can be a helpful part of UW’s rotation, but the turnovers have been crippling.
18. I think Washington State forward Isaac Jones is a flat-out dude. The 6-foot-9, 245-pound big man has super soft hands which has helped him shoot over 77% at the rim.
19. I think there’s a good team somewhere in Westwood, but UCLA is struggling to win the math. The Bruins have lost the 3-point battle in all five losses to high-major programs.
20. I think I like the idea of Kanaan Carlyle and Jared Bynum on the floor together for Stanford. The Cardinal lacks that on-ball creation, and Carlyle and Bynum feel like Stanford’s only perimeter options who can consistently beat their defender off the bounce.
21. I think Arizona State is missing Shawn Phillips. The Sun Devils’ offense is in dire straights (276th nationally) with no low-post threat.
22. I think California wing Jaylon Tyson will finish as the Pac-12’s best wing this season.
23. I think Oregon State desperately needs to win against either UCLA or USC at home to kick off Pac-12 play or the writing will be on the wall. But this halfcourt offense feels broken. The Beavers are averaging just 0.882 points per possession.
Big 12
24. I think Houston’s Jamal Shead has quietly become the Big 12’s best point guard this year.
25. I think BYU big man Aly Khalifa is a delight. He has 30 assists and just two turnovers since stepping into the lineup for Fousseyni Traore.
26. I think the heat over Iowa State’s NET ranking is a bit overblown. The Cyclones might just be 2-2 against top-100 teams, but they pass the eye test in a big way.
27. I think the new shooting stroke from Kevin McCullar is legit and will stick all year for Kansas.
28. I think Baylor’s Yves Missi won’t win Big 12 Freshman of the Year, but he should get a really long look.
29. I think Oklahoma needs a little more out of Milos Uzan to reach its ceiling, but the numbers look a little worse than the tape.
30. I think TCU’s Micah Peavy is one of the most improved players in the country.
31. I think Texas’ rotations are a bit weird. Texas needs to let Ith Horton get a bit more run if he holds up his end of the bargain on defense.
32. I think Simas Lukosiu is a huge key for everything Cincinnati wants to be offensively.
33. I think Texas Tech’s best guard has been Joe Toussaint. The fifth-year senior has been one of the most efficient guards in ball screens in the country.
34. I think the numbers say Kansas State shares the ball (58% assist rate), but the eye test doesn’t always back that up.
35. I think UCF might be way more frisky than most initially expected. Johnny Dawkins has some dudes with major athleticism, and UCF uses its depth to create havoc defensively. UCF is one of the top turnover-forcing teams in the country.
36. I think Oklahoma State will play hard all year, but the ceiling is low unless Eric Dailey is the best freshman in the league.
37. I think West Virginia wing RaeQuan Battle could lead the Big 12 in scoring if Jesse Edwards can’t return quickly from his wrist injury.
SEC
38. I think Tennessee center Jonas Aidoo is playing like an All-League guy for the first time in his career. He rocks.
39. I think an improved handle would take Alabama’s Rylan Griffen to the next level.
40. I think this might end up being Auburn’s best team under Bruce Pearl.
41. I think Kentucky is the deepest team in the league. Bringing Rob Dillingham and Reed Sheppard in off the bench is absurd.
42. When healthy, I think Texas A&M needs to trim down its rotation significantly and ride with its seven top players as much as possible.
43. I think I’m kinda in on Mississippi State’s “hot hand” approach toward its backcourt on a day-to-day basis, but man, that’s tough to build consistency.
44. I think Florida has a chance to be really, really good and make a run from any seed line in March, but it
