Look for the Tide to Roll
No. 1 Alabama begins its defense of its national championship Saturday at 7PM ET when the Crimson Tide hosts San Jose State.
Oddsmakers from online sports book BroburySports.com currently list Alabama as 37-point favorites at home against the San Jose State. The over/under has been set at 51.
Alabama was 9-4 against the spread last season while hitting the over in 7-of-12 lined games. The Crimson Tide is 18-9 ATS over the last two seasons and 17-7 ATS in Saturday games the last two years. Since 1992, the Crimson Tide is just 1-4 ATS as favorites of 31 points or more, but that has improved to 1-1 the last two seasons.
San Jose State was just 2-10 against the spread in 2009 while hitting the over in 6 of 11 games. The Spartans are 0-2 as 31-points or more underdogs the last two years and just 6-16 ATS since 2008. Too add to the trouble, San Jose State is 4-13 ATS in games played on a grass field since the 2008 season.
There are a lot of big spreads this weekend that are hard to take, but the stats support the Tide as San Jose State has been very poor at covering while Alabama has been strong. The Tide have an explosive offense, even with Mark Ingram out. Look for the Alabama offense to roll while the defense just keeps San Jose State in check as the Tide covers with the under.
OUR COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK 1 PICK: ALABAMA -37 and UNDER 51
Week 1 San Jose State at Alabama Odds
San Jose State Spartans +37 Over 51
Alabama Crimson Tide -37 Under 51