3:35 pm
September 4

#1 Alabama v. #14 Miami

Who will WIN this matchup?

#1 Alabama Crimson Tide

#14 Miami Hurricanes

 

Current odds:

Alabama Crimson Tide: (-1100)

Miami Hurricanes: (+700)

 

• The spread for the game is Alabama by 19.5 points.

• The Hurricanes, ranked 14th, aren’t given much of a shot against the mighty Tide, who have been No. 1 at some point in every season since 2008, one season after coach Nick Saban arrived in Tuscaloosa. Saban has named Bryce Young as the quarterback to replace Mac Jones, drafted in the first round by the New England Patriots.

• On offense, Alabama has to replace wide receivers Jaylen Waddle and DeVonta Smith as well as offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood and running back Najee Harris — all first-round picks. Center Landon Dickerson (second-round pick) and guard Deonte Brown (sixth-rounder) also bolted for the NFL. Senior Brian Robinson Jr., who ran for 483 yards and a 5.3 average, is likely the go-to playmaker heading into the season. John Metchie III is the top receiver, and tight end Jahleel Billingsley could be dangerous.

• But while the Tide’s offense may be down from their great 2020 unit — with just three starters back — the defense could be Alabama’s best in years. There are seven starters back on defense, led by linebackers Will Anderson Jr. and Christian Harris and cornerback Josh Jobe, who is from Miami. Other Tide defenders to watch are safety Jordan Battle, who is also from South Florida, and nose tackle DJ Dale.

• Meanwhile, Miami’s offense returns every starter except for tight end Brevin Jordan, the Houston Texans’ fifth-round pick. The Hurricanes have a ready-made replacement for Jordan in Will Mallory, a 6-foot-5 target who caught four TD passes last season. Miami finished 8-3 last season, including a 37-34 bowl-game loss to Oklahoma State. But Miami’s record seemed worse than what it was due to blowout losses to ACC rivals Clemson and North Carolina by a combined 61 points.

7/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
#1 Alabama Crimson Tide
Previous Pick
Next Pick