1 Alabama heads to Oxford to take on 19 Ole Miss. According to OddsShark, Alabama is favored by 11 points while the over-under is set at 54.5 points.
If Alabama has a nemesis, it dresses in blue and red. Hugh Freeze has been able to create a gameplan to defeat the Crimson Tide for two straight years. Can they make it a third?
The OddsShark computer not only likes Alabama to win 43-30 but to cover the spread as well. The computer is taking the over on the point total.
Despite their lack of recent success against Ole Miss, there is reason to like Alabama in this game. The biggest difference for the Crimson Tide is they finally have a playmaker at quarterback. Jalen Hurts is a quarterback unlike the “game managers” of years past. Hurts has the ability to throw the ball downfield but also hurts defenses with his legs.
The Ole Miss defense will look to pressure him, but he is much more mobile than the Alabama quarterbacks the Rebels have been able to harass in years past. Chad Kelly played great last season at Alabama, but has been inconsistent to start the season. Something tells us Nick Saban has been watching the tape of his second half against Florida State where the Seminoles pressured Kelly and forced him into making bad decisions.
There is little doubt this game will be close starting out. In the fourth quarter, look for Alabama to do what Alabama does and put the game away. There’s no chance Saban lets a team this talented lose three straight times to Ole Miss.
Heavy’s Pick: Alabama 34 Ole Miss 20. Alabama -11. Under on the Point Total.