For most of the season, the Alabama Crimson Tide and Utah Utes were involved in the College Football Playoff discussion.
In the last two weeks, both sides suffered defeats that knocked them out of the playoff hunt and the New Year's Six.
On Sunday, the pair of programs were matched up with two of the most recognizable teams in college football.
Alabama faces the Michigan Wolverines on New Year's Day, while Utah earned a meeting with the Texas Longhorns in the Alamo Bowl on New Year's Eve.
How each team responds to deflating losses will be one of the most intriguing storylines of bowl season.