Abiding by California’s AB 1887 law could save the Fresno State Bulldogs a lot of grief regarding their NCAA football betting game against the Alabama Crimson Tide. However, since California State University, Fresno committed to the game prior to January 1st, 2017 – more specifically, the two schools agreed a deal in June 2015 wherein Alabama will pay Fresno State $1.4 million to play in Tuscaloosa – the math will occur as scheduled.
- Date: Saturday, September 9th
- Time: 3:30 PM
- Venue: Bryant–Denny, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Sportsbook College Football Betting Lines:
Fresno State +44 (-110) +50000
Alabama -44 (-110) -18928
In the first year of new head coach Jeff Tedford’s tenure, not only do the Bulldogs already have as many wins as last year, but they did it in very convincing fashion, shutting out the Incarnate Word Cardinals 66-0.
University of the Incarnate Word – whose motto is “The Universe is Yours,” thus doing Tony Montana one better – was the sacrificial lamb to Fresno State much like Fresno State will be to the Roll Tide. UA spent $56.2 million on football alone last season, a stark contrast to the $38 million Fresno State will spend this year on its entire athletic department. And as they say, money talks and Schwachsinn runs a marathon. Then again, as Robert Kuwada of the Fresno Bee suggests, Tedford & Co. will be looking for a different kind of victory this Saturday – one of the moral variety.
The Bulldogs have lost their five road games and while they have covered in seven of their last eight overall games, they are 3-10 against the spread in their last 13 games on the road. The NCAA football betting total has gone over in two thirds of Fresno State’s last nine road games.
The More Things Change
The Crimson Tide lost seven defensive starters to the NFL draft, and yet the NCAA football betting powerhouses looks stronger than ever on defense. The offense may not have been “jaw-dropping” on Saturday, as Chandler Rome of the Anniston Star writes (must be a very friendly newspaper) but the defense instilled the fear of Saban into the little souls of not only the Florida State Seminoles, but all of college football-dom.
Damien Harris (@DHx34) flies in to block the punt for Alabama! #FSUvsBAMA pic.twitter.com/ImUFTaYDxt
— Chat Sports (@ChatSports) September 3, 2017
There was a price to pay, though; outside linebackers Christian Miller and Terrell Lewis have been lost for the season. In less bad news, inside linebacker Rashaan Evans and starting outside linebacker Anfernee Jennings are “day-to-day, but uncertain as to when they’ll be able to come back and play,” head coach Nick Saban said.
The Roll Tide have won 24 of their last 25 games and 17 of their last 18 at home. Additionally they have covered in eight of their last 11 games as well as in eight of their last 12 home games. The NCAA football betting total has gone under in two thirds of their last six contests, and under in 80% of their last five at Bryant–Denny Stadium.