Arkansas vs. Alabama Prediction
Without their starting quarterback, is No. 1 Alabama going to be able to cover a big spread at home when the Tide take on Arkansas today at 7PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
177 Arkansas vs. 178 Alabama
Saturday, October 26, 2019
7PM ET – Bryant-Denny Stadium
TV: ESPN
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Public Betting Trends
According to the latest oddsmakers, Alabama is the clear favorite in this game, as the Crimson Tide are getting odds of -32 points against Arkansas. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 55.5 points. The public betting currently has 62 percent going on Alabama as the home favorite. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NCAAF Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Alabama forced into backup
Alabama is coming off a 35-13 win at home over Tennessee last week to stay unbeaten, but the team lost Tua Tagovailoa for multiple weeks due to an ankle injury. Bama is 7-0 on the season, 4-0 in the SEC, 3-4 against the spread and 4-3 with the over.
The Crimson Tide are putting up 48.7 points and 513.7 yards per game on offense this season while the defense is allowing 16.4 points and 321.4 yards per contest. Tua has thrown for 2,166 yards and 27 touchdowns this season. Mac Jones will fill in for him. Jones has thrown for 237 yards with 1 TD and 1 INT. Najee Harris is leading the ground attack with 556 yards and three touchdowns while Devonta Smith has 39 catches for 654 yards and nine touchdowns.
Arkansas struggling
Arkansas is coming off a 51-10 loss at home to Auburn. The Razorbacks have lost four straight games to fall to 2-5 on the season. They are 0-4 in the SEC, 2-5 against the spread and 5-2 with the under.
The Razorbacks are putting up 24.7 points and 385.4 yards per game on offense while allowing 30.7 points and 413.7 yards per contest. The team is going with Ben Hicks at QB right now. He has thrown for 692 yards and two touchdowns in limited action. Rakeem Boyd is leading the offense with 656 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Cheyenne O’Grady is the leading receiver with 29 catches for 359 yards and two touchdowns.
College Football Betting Trends
Alabama
The Crimson Tide are just 2-5 against the spread in their last seven home games and 0-6 ATS in their last six against a losing team.
Arkansas
The Razorbacks have failed to cover in four straight games on grass and in five of their last six conference games.
Prediction:
Alabama has won 11 straight meetings with Arkansas, but the Razorbacks have covered the spread in four of the last five meetings. The Tide haven’t been as great on defense as usual and they now have to rely on an unproven quarterback to come in and lead the way on offense. Arkansas certainly hasn’t been good, but they have been competitive in most games. While they aren’t going to pull off a major upset here, I think they can do enough to cover this big spread. It’s hard to trust a backup to come right in and torch a conference opponent.
College Football Week 9 Prediction: Arkansas +32
Related: Arkansas vs. Alabama Total Prediction