Last Updated on September 4, 2010 7:00 pm by drew
Alabama favored by 37 Points
No. 1 Alabama begins its defense of its national championship Saturday at 7PM ET when the Crimson Tide hosts San Jose State.
Alabama hasn’t lost a home opener since 2001 and is 19-2 in its last 21 openers. Surprisingly the Crimson Tide is just 4-4 against current members of the Western Athletic Conference. This is the first meeting between these two teams.
Oddsmakers from online sports book BroburySports.com currently list Alabama as 37-point favorites at home against San Jose State. The over/under has been set at 51.
Alabama brings back just 10 starters from the national championship team of 2009, eight of which are on offense. Heisman winner Mark Ingram is back, but will miss Saturday’s game with a knee injury. Trent Richardson is expected to have a bigger impact at tailback this year and will shoulder the load on Saturday. Greg McElroy improved at quarterback throughout 2009 and Alabama will look to throw the ball down the field more under their senior leader. On defense, the Tide have just two starters back from a group that allowed 11.7 points and 244 yards per-game. The Tide have just one of its seven tacklers back. Alabama was built on defense last season, as it had a +19 turnover margin.
San Jose State was 2-10 last season and the Spartans have dropped their last seven road openers by an average score of 46-10. San Jose State has 16 starters back under new coach Mike MacIntyre. Quarterback Jordan La Secla is back for his senior year, as is running back Lamon Muldrow. The Spartans averaged just 13.8 points and 284 yards per-game on offense, which should improve this season. On defense, the Spartans gave up 34.5 points and 443 yards per-game and have seven back from that unit.
College Football Week 1 Betting Trends
The total has gone OVER in 6 of San Jose State’s last 8 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Jose State’s last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of San Jose State’s last 21 games on the road
San Jose State is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games
Alabama is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Alabama is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Week 1 College Football Injury Report
SAN JOSE STATE
No Injuries Reported
ALABAMA
OL Taylor Pharr Out For Season (concussion)
DE Milton Talbert Out For Season (shoulder)
RB Mark Ingram Out Week 1 (knee)
Week 1 San Jose State at Alabama Odds
San Jose State Spartans +37 Over 51
Alabama Crimson Tide -37 Under 51
Line Movement:
Date/Time Odds (Line) Over/Under (Total)
08/04/10 10:40:06 PM -39/-110 (Open) OFF
08/06/10 12:10:03 AM -39/-105 OFF
08/07/10 12:10:04 AM -39/-110 OFF
08/10/10 10:00:03 AM -39.5/-110 OFF
08/13/10 12:20:05 AM -39.5/-105 OFF
08/14/10 12:10:07 AM -39.5/-110 OFF
08/17/10 4:40:05 PM -39/-110 52 -110 (Open)
08/20/10 12:10:06 AM -39/-105 52 -110
08/21/10 12:10:07 AM -39/-110 52 -110
08/23/10 5:25:05 PM -40/-110 52 -110
08/26/10 9:00:05 AM -39/-110 52 -110
08/27/10 12:05:07 AM -39/-105 52 -110
08/27/10 1:05:05 PM -39.5/-105 52 -110
08/28/10 12:05:09 AM -39.5/-110 52 -110
08/28/10 11:30:10 PM -39/-110 52 -110
08/29/10 11:55:03 AM -39/-110 53.5 -110
08/31/10 12:20:02 PM -38/-110 53 -110
08/31/10 12:25:03 PM -38/-110 51.5 -110
08/31/10 1:35:04 PM -38/-110 51 -110
08/31/10 6:45:03 PM -38/-110 51.5 -110
09/01/10 6:40:05 PM -37/-110 51 -110
09/01/10 10:20:05 PM -37/-110 52 -110
09/02/10 6:05:03 AM -37.5/-110 52 -110