A clear difference certainly exists between Alabama and Louisville. Accordingly, Alabama is coming off their fifth national championship season since 2009. At the same time, they are reloading as the favorite to win it all yet again. Balanced against that is rebuilding Louisville. More emphatically their Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Lamar Jackson has moved on to the NFL. Most of all this transition makes them a large dog with the college football betting lines. As a consequence, the betting public will be screaming “Roll Tide!” However, the sharps will be taking a long look at comparable wagering value.
Louisville Cardinals vs. Alabama Crimson Tide
Date and Time: Saturday, September 1, 2018, 8 p.m. ET
Location: Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Florida
College Football Betting Online Odds at SBG:
| Team | Spread | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville | +24½ (-110) | 62½ (-110) |  |
| Alabama | -24½ (-110) | 62½ (-110) | |
| |||
Louisville vs. Alabama TV Coverage: ABC
Alabama Crimson Tide
Balanced against all of Alabama’s national championship hype is their quarterback controversy. Certainly, head coach Nick Saban has been quite coy about it. Tua Tagovailoa came off the bench to save the national championship game as a freshman last January. Yet original starter Jalen Hurts was a big-time award-winning signal caller with championship cache. While most Bama players and experts rate Tagovailoa with superior skills Hurts has valuable experience. Consequently, no other topic has mattered at Crimson Tide camp this summer. However, a look at the Bama roster reveals a deep and loaded team.
Louisville Cardinals
As a consequence of just two starters returning the Louisville defense faces intense pressure. Of great concern is its ability to stand up to a powerhouse like Alabama. In particular this unproven defense has made the Cardinals a major college football betting odds dog. Additionally, breaking in a new quarterback against the Tide defense will not be fun. Jawon Pass takes over under center for The Ville. Not withstanding experience, Pass has an outstanding corps of receivers to utilize. Certainly Jaylen Smith, Dez Fitzpatrick and Seth Dawkins can break defenses. Dee Williams adds a legitimate ground threat.
Cardinals Stats
Louisville has been an exceptional sports betting value as a road dog. To be exact the Cardinals have paid in 12 of their last 13 in that role. Additionally, six of their last nine as away dogs have gone over the total. In the same way Louisville has covered seven of their last nine as dogs of 14 or more points. Just one of their last five in that situation went over the total.
Crimson Tide Stats
By contrast the Crimson Tide is 7-4 vs. the line as road favorites. Five of their last eight as road chalks have gone over the total. Alabama has gotten the cash in four of their last six as road chalks of 14 or more points. Further, four of their last five in that place have gone over the total.
Matchup to Watch
The outcome of this game straight up has little doubt. It follows that the real question is value with the college football betting odds. For one thing the number is huge. In like manner Louisville coach Bobby Petrino is a creative game planner. Equally important is the Cardinals have enough weapons to stay within the huge number.
Louisville vs. Alabama Betting Odds Picks
Summing up Louisville has an impeccable record as a road dog.
Louisville vs. Alabama Online Betting Pick: Louisville Cardinals
Louisville vs. Alabama Online Betting Score Prediction: Louisville 21, Alabama 38
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