The Wolverines tied the game on their next drive on an 8-yard touchdown pass from quarterback J. J. McCarthy to running back Blake Corum.

A McCarthy touchdown pass to wide receiver Tyler Morris for 38 yards gave Michigan their first lead with less than four minutes remaining in the first half, and the Wolverines maintained this advantage into halftime.

An Alabama field goal with less than five minutes to play extended their lead to seven points, though a Michigan touchdown by Roman Wilson with ninety-four seconds remaining tied the game and ultimately sent it to overtime.

On Alabama's possession, they were ultimately stopped short on fourth and goal from the 3-yard line, giving Michigan a 27–20 victory and a berth in the national championship game.

[11] Prior to the game, Cliff Montgomery, Kirk Herbstreit, and Lincoln Kennedy were inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame.

[17] Michigan finished the regular season with a perfect 12–0 record, having concluded their Big Ten schedule with a rivalry win over Ohio State, 30–24.

Connor Stalions, a Michigan football staffer, was cited by allegations as having attended more than 35 games to scout future opponents.

He had previously served a suspension for the team's first three games of the season, against East Carolina, UNLV, and Bowling Green, as the result of a self-imposed sanction regarding recruiting violations.

[24] They finished the season with a defeat of Auburn in the annual Iron Bowl rivalry game; this win came by way of a 31-yard touchdown pass on 4th & Goal.

[31] The game was broadcast on ESPN, with play-by-play commentary from Chris Fowler, analysis from Kirk Herbstreit, and sideline reporting from Holly Rowe and Laura Rutledge.

[16] The ESPN Radio broadcast featured Joe Tessitore on play-by-play, with analysis from Dusty Dvoracek and sideline reporting from Quint Kessenich.

[16][17] The pregame coin toss was won by Alabama, who deferred their choice to the second half, thereby giving Michigan possession of the ball to begin the game.

[35] On the game's first play, Michigan quarterback J. J. McCarthy threw a pass which was initially ruled on the field to have been intercepted by Alabama safety Caleb Downs.

After two plays with no yardage gained, McCarthy passed to Tyler Morris for a 38-yard touchdown, giving Michigan their first lead of the game.

Doman's kickoff that followed was returned by Kendrick Law to the Alabama 16-yard line, giving the Crimson Tide the ball with 3:44 remaining in the first half.

On the ensuing fourth down, Reichard made a 50-yard field goal to pull the Crimson Tide within three points.

Michigan converted 3rd & 9 on their following drive with a 12-yard pass from McCarthy to Cornelius Johnson, though they gained only eight yards on their next three plays and punted on fourth down.

Alabama, taking possession at their own 31-yard line, extended their lead as the result of a nine-play drive which saw several first downs gained on rushing plays.

The Wolverines reached the red zone after consecutive gains of 16 and 29 yards immediately afterwards, and a McCarthy-to-Wilson touchdown pass two plays later brought Michigan within one point.

[35] Alabama ran a quarterback keeper with Milroe, which failed when he was stopped for a 1-yard gain by Josiah Stewart, ending the game and giving Michigan a 27–20 victory.

The win improved Michigan's record to 14–0 and gave them a berth to the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship, where they faced Sugar Bowl champions Washington.

It ranked in the top ten audiences for cable telecasts all-time and was the highest for any sporting event, apart from the National Football League, since 2018.

[44] This game was the last for Nick Saban as the Alabama head coach, as he retired on January 10, 2024, after seventeen years in the position.

[45] The game marked the 70th consecutive Rose Bowl played in Pasadena to be attended by San Francisco-based sports columnist Art Spander.