The Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Florida State Seminoles Chick-fil-A NCAA football betting kickoff game is being billed as the G.O.A.T (Greatest Opener of All Time, if you’re not into the whole brevity thing).
New season. New stadium. New GOAT.
Fans, you ready for #CFAKickoff? pic.twitter.com/CTuGRud144
— #CFAKickoff (@CFAPeachBowl) August 10, 2017
- Date: Saturday, 2nd September
- Time: 8:05 PM
- Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta GA
- Online sportsbook college football betting lines:
Florida State +7½ (-120) +235
Alabama -7½ (EV) -275
You should get tested for that
The Seminoles have a seminal defense. Earlier this year Derwin James, Tarvarus ‘Gates’ McFadden, Derrick Nnadi, Josh Sweat, Brian Burns, and Matthew Thomas were named preseason All-ACC defensive team selections. McFadden and the secondary expect to be put to the test by Calvin Ridley and the rest of ‘Bama’s offense. “When people say you’re the top dog, teams want to see if you’re the top dog. We’re going to see,” the cornerback said. McFadden allowed four TDs in the first six games of the 2016 season but once he found his footing he became key to FSU’s success. Five of his eight interceptions came during a period in which the Seminoles won seven of their last eight games. McFadden’s performance earned him the Touchdown Club of Columbus’ Jack Tatum Trophy to the top collegiate defensive back. “He’s one of those guys that is instinctive. His length helps him,” defensive coordinator Charles Kelly said. “When he puts his arms up, he has a long wingspan. He has gotten better using his hands in bump and run.” Tarvy has been working on his coverage and tackling, which should make FSU’s already formidable secondary even more fearsome – especially with a healthy Derwin James, who played in just two games before a knee injury ended his 2016 season. “We starting with Alabama, but it ain’t only about Alabama. We’ve got to play Miami, Clemson, and everyone else that comes in the way,” McFadden said.
Keep on rollin’ baby, you know what time it is
It’s time for the Roll Tide to return to the College Football Playoff National for the fourth straight time (‘Bama is the only program to have appeared in all three editions of the CFP). Like last season, the Crimson Tide is the NCAA Football Betting favourite to win the National Championship. Last season, though, they lost the CFP Championship game to the Clemson Tigers, in a rematch from 2016. This year the Tide hopes new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll will rub off on the team some of the New England Patriots’ penchant for winning titles. “There’s obviously a lot of success here that they’ve had in the past,” Daboll said. “So, it’d be foolish to just take one offense that you’re accustomed to running and try to adapt it to another team. Some of the plays suit, some of the plays don’t suit. So, your job is to go ahead and mix and match and really find the best results for the guys that you’re working with for that particular year.” Daboll and head coach Nick Saban had previously worked together in Michigan State, but does their reunion bode well for ‘Bama’s NCAA Football Betting odds? Not if you ask Paul Finebaum.