[6] In the 2024 CFP National Championship Game, Michigan defeated Alabama's head coach Kalen DeBoer at his previous post with the Washington Huskies.
[8] It was the seventh all-time meeting between the Crimson Tide and Wolverines, with the series tied 3–3 entering the game.
[10] In the following weeks, All-American juniors Mason Graham,[11] Will Johnson,[12] Kenneth Grant,[13] and Colston Loveland,[14] each declared for the 2025 NFL draft, opting to sit out the bowl game as projected first-round picks.
They were joined as opt-outs by Donovan Edwards, Kalel Mullings, Josaiah Stewart, Makari Paige, Tyler Morris and Myles Hinton.
[15] With the opt-outs and the graduating class in 2023, Michigan returned zero starters on offense or defense from the two teams previous meeting in the 2024 Rose Bowl.