Arkansas vs. Alabama Prediction
No. 2 Alabama shouldn’t have much trouble punching its ticket to the SEC title game with a win over No. 21 Arkansas on Saturday but will the Crimson Tide cover as nearly a three-touchdown home favorite? Kickoff for this SEC matchup is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS.
Game Snapshot
395 Arkansas Razorbacks (+20.5) at 396 Alabama Crimson Tide (-20.5); o/u 58
12:00 p.m. ET, Saturday, November 20, 2021
Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, AL
TV: CBS
Arkansas Razorbacks Game Notes
Arkansas redshirt sophomore QB KJ Jefferson completed 18-of-25 passes for 142 yards and a touchdown in a 16-13 overtime victory over LSU on Saturday. Jefferson (6’3/240) didn’t have his best game, but Arkansas’ defense was stiff enough to give them a chance to win. In addition to a rather restrained passing performance, he rushed 15 times for 41 yards while converting a paltry three-of-16 third down situations. There weren’t a lot of offensive highlights in the contest, but by far Jefferson’s best play came when LSU brought a blitz, which he somehow avoided despite taking a big hit, that flushed Jefferson from the pocket allowing him to reset and find Dominique Johnson who managed to leak out behind the defense for a 43-yard touchdown reception. The Razorbacks then took advantage of an interception in overtime to play it safe and kick the game winning field goal to win the “Battle of the Boot”. Arkansas travels to play SEC West leading Alabama next Saturday.
Alabama Crimson Tide Game Notes
Alabama redshirt freshman QB Bryce Young has the best odds to win the Heisman trophy according to PointsBet. Young (6’0/194) needed to play well against bad New Mexico State defense to stay on top of the Heisman race, and he came through. He was efficient with a 91.3% completion rate and threw for an impressive five touchdowns in a 59-3 blowout win on Saturday. His odds slightly got better from +185 to +165, but this is not a runaway race for the Bama QB. Michigan State running back Kenenth Walker continues to play well and his ascension has him with the second-best odds in the Heisman race at +225. Young and the Crimson Tide will host Arkansas next Saturday. Young can still control his own destiny if he can play well against a good Arkansas defense, then get to the SEC championship to play against Georgia and their the No. 1 defense.
Arkansas vs. Alabama Betting Prediction
The Razorbacks are 0-3-1 against the spread in their last four games overall and are 4-12 at the betting window in their last 16 games after allowing less than 20 points in their previous game. On the other side, the Crimson Tide are 5-2 against the spread in their last seven games overall, are 10-4 against the number in their last 14 conference matchups and have cashed in 12 of their last 15 home games.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK 12 PREDICTION: ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE -20.5