If you’re fired up about the quickly approaching 2018 college football championship game and you’re looking for reasons why you should bet on the perennially powerful Alabama Crimson Tide (12-1 SU, 6-7 ATS), then look no further! I’ve got a laundry list full of reasons on why you should bet on the Nick Saban’s squad to win this season’s national championship beyond their NCAAF odds.
With the start of the 2018 title tilt less than a week away, let’s get started.
Cornerback Minkah Fitzpatrick was a consensus AP All-American this season that won the prestigious Jim Thorpe award as the nation’s top defensive back while linebacker Rashaan Evans earned All-American honors for the American Football Coaches of America.
While the Tide didn’t have three of four All-Americans like they do almost every year, they were as stout this season defensively as they ever have been.
Why Bet on Alabama to Win the 2018 College Football Championship?
See you in Atlanta, @AlabamaFTBL!#RollTide|| #NationalChampionship pic.twitter.com/emGOni7n9W
— College Football Playoff (@CFBPlayoff) 2 de enero de 2018
- When: January 8
- Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
- TV: ESPN
- Radio: 95.3 FM (Alabama) / 92.5 FM (Georgia)
- Live Streaming: Watch ESPN
- College Football Championship Odds: Alabama Crimson Tide -4.5 (Over/Under at 45)
Alabama Records
- All: 12-1
- Home: 8-0
- Away: 4-1
- ATS: 6-7
- Over/Under: 5-7
2018 NCAAF Championship Betting Preview: Alabama vs. Georgia
Latest College Football Championship Betting Trends
- Alabama is 12-1 SU in its last 13 games
- Alabama is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Georgia
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Alabama’s last 6 games when playing Georgia
Five Reasons to Bet on the Crimson Tide
The Offense
While Alabama isn’t generally known as an offensive juggernaut, maybe they should be. The Tide ranked 25th in total offense this season (454.7 ypg), a more modest 87th in passing (198.9 ypg), a stellar 10th in rushing (255.8 ypg) and an equally impressive 12th in scoring by putting up 37.9 points per contest. As is always the case under Saban, Alabama has a powerful rushing attack that features three prolific runners that all put up terrific numbers heading into the national championship. Rushing leader Damien Harris rushed for 983 yards and 11 touchdowns while averaging stupendous 7.6 yards per carry. Dual-threat quarterback Jalen Hurts added 808 rushing yards and eight scores while averaging 5.5 yards per carry and last but not least, powerful running back Bo Scarborough chipped in 573 rushing yards and eight touchdowns while averaging 4.8 yards per carry.Dual-Threat Quarterback
While some football ‘experts’ believe that sophomore quarterback Jalen Hurts is the weak link that could derail Alabama’s championship hopes, I completely disagree. While Hurts passed for modest 2,125 yards this season, he also tossed 17 TD passes and just one interception. His added rushing ability gives opposing defensive coordinators nightmares and he can clearly throw the ball – when allowed (which just isn’t often enough if you ask me). Case in point, Hurts completed 16 of 24 passes for 120 yards while tossing two TD passes and no interceptions in Alabama’s 24-6 semifinal win over Clemson this past weekend while adding 40 rushing yards on 11 carries.Defense
Okay, let’s get to the best reason why you should be on Alabama to win the 2018 national championship and once again, it’s their phenomenal defense. Alabama ranked first in the nation in total defense (253.5 ypg), third against the pass (160.6 ypg), first against the run (92.8 ypg) and first in points allowed (11.1 ppg). With numbers like those, I’m surprised the Tide didn’t run the table. I mean, really, it’s kind of hard to beat a team when you can’t score on them.
Cornerback Minkah Fitzpatrick was a consensus AP All-American this season that won the prestigious Jim Thorpe award as the nation’s top defensive back while linebacker Rashaan Evans earned All-American honors for the American Football Coaches of America.
While the Tide didn’t have three of four All-Americans like they do almost every year, they were as stout this season defensively as they ever have been.
Experience
Their appearance in this season’s College Football Playoffs marked Alabama’s fourth straight appearance in the College Football Playoff and their appearance in the 2018 national championship game will be their third straight. That means that any player on this year’s roster that isn’t a true freshman already has at least one title game of experience under their belt.The Coach
While I’m not real fond of Nick Saban (Hey, I’m a Miami Dolphins fan) I’ve got to give credit where credit is due and right now, Saban can lay claim to being arguably the greatest head coach in college football history. Saban led LSU to the 2003 national championship and has won four more championships at Alabama since taking over in 2007 (2009, 2011, 2012 and 2015). Love him or loathe him, Nick Saban is one helluva’ collegiate head coach and he’s proven very difficult to beat by going 126-20 with Alabama while recording one unbeaten season (2009) and five one-loss seasons, including three straight and counting.Last 10 College Football Champs
- 2016: Clemson Tigers
- 2015: Alabama Crimson Tide
- 2014: Ohio State Buckeyes
- 2013: Florida State Seminoles
- 2012: Alabama Crimson Tide
- 2011: Alabama Crimson Tide
- 2010: Auburn Tigers
- 2009: Alabama Crimson Tide
- 2008: Florida Gators
- 2007: LSU Tigers
