No. 2 Alabama vs. Michigan

<p><i>Gatorsports.com counts down the top 25 games in the SEC for the 2012 season.</i></p><p><b>No. 2 ALABAMA VS. MICHIGAN</b></p><p><b>When:</b> Sept. 1</p><p><b>Where:</b> Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas.</p><p><b>Why it's No. 2:</b> A big-time non-conference matchup to start the 2012 season. Michigan is coming off a Sugar Bowl appearance and is favored to win the Big Ten this year. Defending national champion Alabama lost some underclassmen to the NFL draft, but the Tide always find a way to rebuild. </p><p><b>Series history:</b> Michigan leads 2-1.</p><p><b>Rivalry on scale of 1-100:</b>20. Both schools are traditional powers, but haven't played against each other often enough to merit any significant rivalry. The last time the two teams played, Michigan-turned-New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady led the Wolverines to a 35-34 comeback win over Alabama in the 2000 Orange Bowl.</p>