It’s more likely that Nick Saban is named the president of the United States at some point than No. 1 Alabama losing its home opener on Saturday vs. Arkansas State. The Red Wolves aren’t pushovers, though. Can they cover a big NCAAF Spread?
The Crimson Tide had 11 players make their first career starts vs. Louisville, including four on offense, four on defense and three specialists. Getting their first career nod on offense was offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood, wide receivers Henry Ruggs III and DeVonta Smith and Tagovailoa. Making their first starts on defense were defensive lineman Quinnen Williams and defensive backs Saivion Smith, Xavier McKinney and Shyheim Carter. Placekickers Austin Jones and Joseph Bulovas and punter Skyler DeLong started for the first time on special teams.
Alabama has won 16 straight games when scoring a touchdown on its first offensive possession of a game. The Tide’s last loss after finding the end zone on its first drive was to Oklahoma in the 2014 Allstate Sugar Bowl.
Josh Jacobs’ 77-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and Shyheim Carter’s 45-yard interception return for a score were Alabama’s 62nd and 63rd non-offensive touchdown of the Nick Saban era. It marked Alabama’s first multi-non-offensive touchdown game since recording two against Florida in the 2016 SEC Championship Game.
The Tide are 12-0 under Saban in season openers, has outscored its opponents 486-141 (40.5-11.7) and outgained them, 5,231-2,481 (435.9-206.7). Alabama outscored its last three opening day opponents – USC, Florida State and Louisville – 127-27 and allowed just three touchdowns.
How to Bet Arkansas State at Alabama NCAA Football Week 2 Odds & Game Info
• Came off the bench for @AlabamaFTBL to catch three passes for 66 yards, including a long of 49 yards; returned four punts for 80 yards.@D1__JW is the #SECFB Freshman of the Week. pic.twitter.com/gCpn8JFikY
— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) 3 de septiembre de 2018
- When: Saturday, 3:30 PM ET
- Where: Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa
- TV: ESPN2
- Stream: WatchESPN
- Radio: TuneIn
- NCAA Football Odds: Alabama Crimson Tide -37 (Total 65.5)
Rutgers at Ohio State 2018 NCAA Football Week 2 Odds
Why Bet on Arkansas State?
Justice Hansen threw three of his six touchdown passes in the third quarter and Arkansas State blew the game open in the second half to defeat Southeast Missouri State 48-21 Saturday night in the season opener for those teams. Hansen finished the night 26-of-36 passing for 423 yards and six touchdowns (a school record) to six different receivers. Hansen became the first Sun Belt Conference quarterback to throw for six or more touchdowns in a game since Giovanni Vizza of North Texas had eight against Navy on Nov. 10, 2007. Sophomore quarterback Logan Bonner was 2-of-3 for 74 yards and a touchdown to give A-State seven scores through the air to seven different receivers. Understandably, Hansen – who will get drafted by an NFL team – was named Sun Belt Conference Player of the Week. In addition to his single-game performance, Hansen c now stands in third place on the all-time A-State total yardage list with 7,693, surpassing Cleo Lemon’s (1997-2000) mark of 7,309. Hansen also became the fourth quarterback in school history to surpass 7,000 passing yards in a career on Saturday. He currently has 7,109 career passing yards and has now thrown for at least 300 yards 10 times in his career and has surpassed the 400-yard mark five times. A-State finished the night outgaining the Redhawks 685-285 with a 497-163 edge through the air. The 685 total yards rank third in single-game history, while the 8.7 yards per play ranks the effort seventh. Murray led A-State on the ground with 10 rushes for 54 yards, while adding two catches for 75 yards and a score. Defensively, A-State was led by Justin Clifton and Tajhea Chambers who logged six tackles each. The unit posted 11 tackles for loss, including three sacks.Why Bet on Alabama?
The Tide weren’t challenged by Louisville on Saturday in Orlando, winning 51-14. Tua Tagovailoa threw for two touchdowns and ran for a third in his first college start. Tagovailoa scored on a 9-yard run while also completing 12 of 16 passes for 227 yards without an interception. He got the start over the starter the past two years, Jalen Hurts, but Hurts also played. Nick Saban said that Tagovailoa will start again here, and it’s pretty clear that’s the case going forward. Monday marked the first time Saban verbalized the pecking order on the depth chart since he benched Hurts for Tagovailoa at halftime of the College Football Playoff title game. Hurts, who had started 28 straight games before Saturday night and had a 26-2 record, didn’t see the field until the game was well in hand during the second quarter. The junior and former SEC Offensive Player of the Year completed 5 of 9 passes for 70 yards, with no touchdowns and no interceptions. Hurts committed to staying at Alabama, through December, when he’s scheduled to graduate, but if he were to appear in four or fewer games, he could take a redshirt and keep a year of eligibility.
The Crimson Tide had 11 players make their first career starts vs. Louisville, including four on offense, four on defense and three specialists. Getting their first career nod on offense was offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood, wide receivers Henry Ruggs III and DeVonta Smith and Tagovailoa. Making their first starts on defense were defensive lineman Quinnen Williams and defensive backs Saivion Smith, Xavier McKinney and Shyheim Carter. Placekickers Austin Jones and Joseph Bulovas and punter Skyler DeLong started for the first time on special teams.
Alabama has won 16 straight games when scoring a touchdown on its first offensive possession of a game. The Tide’s last loss after finding the end zone on its first drive was to Oklahoma in the 2014 Allstate Sugar Bowl.
Josh Jacobs’ 77-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and Shyheim Carter’s 45-yard interception return for a score were Alabama’s 62nd and 63rd non-offensive touchdown of the Nick Saban era. It marked Alabama’s first multi-non-offensive touchdown game since recording two against Florida in the 2016 SEC Championship Game.
The Tide are 12-0 under Saban in season openers, has outscored its opponents 486-141 (40.5-11.7) and outgained them, 5,231-2,481 (435.9-206.7). Alabama outscored its last three opening day opponents – USC, Florida State and Louisville – 127-27 and allowed just three touchdowns.
2018 NCAA Football Week 2 Odds & Expert Top Picks
Latest NCAA Football Betting Trends for Arkansas State at Alabama
- Arkansas State is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games
- Arkansas State is 16-6 SU in its last 22 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Arkansas State’s last 11 games on the road
- Alabama is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games at home
- Alabama is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
