Alabama football is days away and again are on the hunt to capture another national championship under HC Nick Saban. It is without a doubt in Tuscaloosa, football seasons are either national championships or bust. The Tide fans do not want to hear about Georgia Bulldogs anymore, time for the Tide to roll again.
Alabama Season Preview
Year after year, the Crimson Tide never seem to rebuild, but reload. The Aggies are the first team on the seven-game home schedule for the Tide this season. Without a doubt there are no questions about what the Tide will bring to each game. QB Bryce Young is coming off a Heisman season and DE Will Anderson is a candidate to win this year’s Heisman. So, where are the holes for Nick Saban and the Tide?
The departures of RB Brian Robinson, and WR’s John Metchie and Jameson Williams to the NFL are huge, but expected when you go to Alabama. Who will come in and fill those holes?
Expected to fill those holes are the small, but elite group of transfers this offseason: RB Jahmyr Gibbs (GT), CB Eli Ricks (LSU), WR Jermaine Burton (UGA), and WR Tyler Harrell (Louisville). All are expected to make an immediate impact who will give the Tide a major boost at tailback, who doubles as a capable receiver.
Utah State Season Preview
The Aggies have one game under their belt as they defeated UCONN 31-20 last week during Week 0. A win is a win to any football program, but the Aggies struggled for most of the game against the Huskies. Utah State entered as a 27-point favorite last Satrday. Once down by 14 points to what many consider a “basketball school”, the Aggies rallied back scoring 24 unanswered before sealing the victory late in the fourth.
The Aggies offensively were highly effective against the Huskies defense. QB Logan Bonner was 20-of-29 for 281 yards and three TD’s, while the run game was led by graduate senior, Calvin Tyler Jr., led with 161 yards on 33 carries. The only sore part about the offense is the ability to hold the ball, as the Aggies lost two fumbles last week.
The defense for the Aggies had some highs and lows last week against the Huskies. A defense which only returned 47% production ranking 119th, was expected to have some hiccups. You can say the highs last week was the pass defense (119 yards) and committing turnovers (3). The biggest problem last week for the Aggies were their run defense allowing 245 yards on 39 carries (6.3 ypr).
Now, they come to Tuscaloosa to face the No.1 team in the nation. Who will be WAY MORE explosive on both sides of the ball than UCONN.
Utah State vs. Alabama odds
- Line: Alabama -41.5
- O/U: 62
- Moneyline: N/A
- FPI pick: Alabama 99.3%
- Utah State: 1-0 SU, 0-1 ATS, 0-1 O/U
Prediction: Over 37.5 1H
I expect a steamroll by the Tide quick and early. With the big road matchup against Texas, I see the Tide wanting to knock out the Aggies quick and put the 2nd string guys in. Bama should score either 35 or 42 points in the 1H and anything Utah State scores will be a bonus.
Looking at past, lower-tier talent the Tide have faced before a HUGE matchup (2021 (Mercer & NMST) & 2019 (Western Carolina)), the tide average total arounds 64 points.
I am never a fan of betting HUGE spreads like this one. So, I will wait until 1H lines or even totals appear. These are my picks for the Tide, ROLL TIDE!
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