Texas vs Alabama Preview: Tide Look to Make Statement

The Texas Longhorns get their shot at redemption against Alabama, visiting the Crimson Tide on Saturday night. Alabama didn’t miss a beat coming out of the gate against Middle Tennessee State. But the Longhorns labored a bit in the early going against Rice. In fairness to the Longhorns, they probably had their minds on this game. And you can’t blame them. How the Longhorns are viewed nationally will probably be determined by the outcome of this game. The Texas vs Alabama preview shows the No. 4 Crimson Tide are favored by 7 over No. 11 Texas. The total is 54.5.

Longhorns With Slow Start Against Rice

After hearing how good the Texas Longhorns were going to be this year, people had to be surprised to see them leading Rice just 16-3 at halftime. But Texas turned it on in the third quarter, scoring three touchdowns to make it 37-3. The Owls scored the only points of the fourth quarter, which was enough to preserve the point spread cover. The Longhorns were favored by 35.5 points. The game finished well under the total of 58.5.

Quinn Ewers threw for 260 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for another score. Texas gained 458 yards of total offense, while limiting the Owls to 176 yards. But sixty-two of Rice’s yards came in the fourth quarter on their touchdown drive.

It’s hard to knock the Longhorns for their subpar performance. Even though it’s a non-conference game, Alabama could very well be the biggest game on their NCAAF schedule this year. The Longhorns can still win the Big 12 with a loss to the Crimson Tide. But a victory would be a huge momentum boost. Not to mention how Texas would shoot up in the NCAA football rankings.

Jalen Milroe Runs With QB Job for Alabama

Alabama was supposed to have a quarterback controversy. But Milroe took a giant step to putting an end to all of that against Middle Tennessee State. Milroe threw for 194 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for two more in the Tide’s 56-7 dismantling of the Blue Raiders. Alabama was favored by 39.5 and easily covered the spread. The Tide’s 56 points was more than the total of 52.5.

The Crimson Tide held a 431-211 yardage advantage, which is a little less than you would expect considering the final score. Alabama rushed and passed for more than 200 yards, although probably kept things simple ahead of this game. There was no reason to show too much in a lopsided game. And Nick Saban made sure the Crimson Tide didn’t.

Alabama 20, Texas 19 (2022)

The Crimson Tide and Longhorns went toe-to-toe in a game Alabama was supposed to breeze in. The college football line had Alabama -21 over Texas. It took Will Reichard’s 33-yard field goal with 10 seconds remaining to give Alabama the victory. Alabama gained 374 total yards. The Longhorns had 371 in a back-and-forth game that exceeded expectations.

What to Expect

The Texas vs Alabama preview expects the Longhorns to come out better than they did against Rice. But getting motivated to play Alabama isn’t going to be a problem. Texas has the more proven quarterback in Ewers. So it wouldn’t be surprising to see Texas throw the ball early. The Longhorns have one of the best wide receiver units in the country. But the Crimson Tide’s secondary is pretty special itself. The Texas receivers against the Alabama secondary make this a game worth watching.

Despite Milroe’s impressive game against the Blue Raiders, he’s still pretty inexperienced back there. Putting up numbers against Middle Tennessee State is one thing. Doing it against Texas is completely different. Alabama will likely work on running the ball first. If the Crimson Tide can establish any type of ground game it will take some of the pressure off the quarterback. The Alabama offensive line will have to live up to its billing.

Who to Bet On?

The Texas vs Alabama preview notes the point spread on this one is right where it should be. The NCAAF power ratings have the Crimson Tide 4.5 points better on a neutral field. Accounting for home field advantage will set the number pretty much where it’s at.

There isn’t a whole lot of value either way on the side. The best bet in this one could be to take the game under the total. The Crimson Tide will run the ball. And their secondary is enough to slow down the Texas receivers. It may not be 20-19 again, but the value here rests with the game landing under the total.

For NCAAF betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.

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