Editor’s Note: Get an edge with our premium College Football Betting Tools that are packed with live odds, betting trends, predictions, player prop projections, our extensive Edge Finder and much more. Click here to learn more!
Alabama (-18.5) at Texas: O/U 61.5
Week 2 will be a true test for the Texas Longhorns and one I do not expect them to pass with flying colors.
Since Nick Saban‘s takeover, Alabama is 13-2 ATS and 14-1 on the ML versus Power 5 opponents outside the SEC, per NBC’s Edge Finder. The Tide have covered six straight and 13 of the last 14.
Alabama lost and did not cover versus Florida State in 2007 as +2 point underdogs, Saban’s first game versus a power-5 opponent outside the SEC, plus Alabama did not cover as -24 point favorites versus West Virginia in 2004.
That’s it. Everyone else was smoked and covered by Saban and company.
Play CFB Pick’em on the NBC Sports Predictor app for a chance at $10,000 every week. It’s free and easy to play. From first downs to touchdowns you can win big! Click here to get started.
Texas has failed to cover three-straight times versus SEC opponents. They do not play the SEC often, but failed to cover against Arkansas and LSU in 2021 and 2019 as recent performances.
To make matters worse, Texas is 0-3 ATS and on the ML in the last three as a home underdog and Head Coach Steve Sarkisian is 0-4 ATS and on the ML as an underdog since taking over Texas.
Sarkisian used to coach Alabama as the OC in 2019-2020, so Saban will likely know not only how to beat his former OC, but destroy him. Saban is 25-2 versus former assistants with both losses coming last year to Jimbo Fisher of Texas A&M and Kirby Smart of Georgia in the National Championship.
They both had something Texas doesn’t -- a defense.
This year, Quinn Ewers takes over at quarterback for Texas, but the defense will be no match for Alabama’s offense.
Similar to how Georgia marched down the field over and over on Oregon, that’s how I see Alabama and Bryce Young walking over Texas.
I won’t spend much time telling you why Alabama is more talented than Texas, but Alabama is three-touchdowns more talented than Texas on any field.
Let’s Roll Tide at -18.5 and -19.5 for 1.5 units. Once it’s at -20.5 I would play for 1 unit.
Pick: Alabama -18.5 (1.5u)
PointsBet is our Official Sports Betting Partner and we may receive compensation if you place a bet on PointsBet for the first time after clicking our links. CO, IL, IN, IA, MI, NJ, NY, PA, WV, and VA. only. 21+. T&C apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
