Texas’ Opening Victory and Offensive Potential:
Texas, led by head coach Steve Sarkisian, enters this matchup with a talented team and high expectations. In their season opener against Rice, the Longhorns secured a convincing 37-10 victory. Quarterback Quinn Ewers, who passed for 260 yards and three touchdowns in the opener, will aim to replicate his strong performance from last year’s game against Alabama before leaving with a shoulder injury. The Longhorns possess a potent offense that has the potential to challenge the Crimson Tide’s defense.
Alabama’s Dominance and Defensive Improvements:
The Crimson Tide, under the leadership of Nick Saban in his 18th season, started their campaign with a resounding 56-7 victory over Middle Tennessee. Quarterback Jalen Milroe shone in this game, passing for three touchdowns and rushing for two more. The Crimson Tide showcased improvements on the defensive side as well. However, the status of defensive backs Malachi Moore and Jaylen Key, who are both considered “day to day” with injuries, could impact the team’s performance and should be closely monitored.
Head-to-Head History and Series Advantage:
This matchup marks the 11th meeting between Texas and Alabama. Texas currently holds a 7-2-1 advantage in the series. However, Alabama has emerged victorious in the last two encounters. It is important to note that despite Texas’ recent success against Alabama, the Crimson Tide, under Saban’s guidance, have established an impressive home record. Alabama has won 21 consecutive games at Bryant-Denny Stadium, boasting the nation’s longest home win streak. Their last home loss was to No. 1 LSU in 2019.
Betting Trends to Consider:
When assessing betting trends, it is crucial to analyze the historical performance of both teams. Under Sarkisian’s tenure, Texas has struggled as an underdog, going 0-5 straight up and 1-4 against the spread (ATS). However, it is worth mentioning that the lone cover came in last season’s closely contested 20-19 loss to Alabama. Additionally, Texas has not fared well as a road underdog in recent seasons, going 0-3 straight up and 0-3 ATS.
On the other hand, Alabama boasts an impressive record in non-conference regular-season games, having won 57 consecutive matchups. This streak, the longest in the AP Poll era, dates back to their loss against Louisiana-Monroe in 2007. These statistics highlight Alabama’s dominance and consistency in non-conference matchups.
Prediction: +7 Texas
Main Markets:
Texas ML: +230
Alabama -280
O/U 54.0 -110
Texas +7
Alabama -7
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