ESPN's Desmond Howard picks Michigan, Lee Corso and guest Jerry Jones like Alabama

ARLINGTON, Texas -- The picks are in, and for the most part, everything remains the same.

Michigan is a massive underdog tonight against defending national champion Alabama (8 p.m., ABC).

The Alabama-Michigan game was the featured tilt on ESPN's first "College GameDay" of the season, meaning the traditional pre-game prediction by ESPN's analysts focused on the Wolverines and Crimson Tide.

Former Michigan star Desmond Howard went first early in the broadcast, and to little surprise, he went with his alma mater -- picking the Wolverines to win "a close one."

Howard was alone with his bold prediction, though.

ESPN guest picker Jerry Jones, the Dallas Cowboys owner and host of the "Cowboys Classic" at Cowboys Stadium, said he was glad to have Michigan and its fans in Arlington -- but in the end, he likes Alabama.

Famed ESPN prognosticator Lee Corso went next -- and initially teased a maize a blue selection.

Corso grabbed a Michigan helmet and began singing "The Victors," but eventually dropped his infamous "not so fast, my friend," and placed a giant Alabama elephant hat atop his head and declared his loyalty to the Crimson Tide.

Howard may have been the lone man standing with his Michigan pick, but even the former Wolverine Heisman Trophy winner couldn't resist arguing that it'll be an uphill battle for Michigan.

Especially without suspended running back Fitz Toussaint

"When you look at the preseason magazines, all the hype about Michigan was about Denard Robinson and Fitzgerald Toussaint," Howard said. "Now, you don't have Fitzgerald Toussaint and you don't have that comfort level for Denard.

"(Sitting Toussaint), I thought it was the only decision. I didn't think (Brady Hoke) would let this kid play."