Alabama Vs. Football Preview texas prediction

A highly anticipated matchup between traditional college football powerhouses Alabama and Texas is scheduled for this Saturday from Austin.

When these two last met, it was for the national championship after the 2009 season, but since then the shows have gone in different directions.

Alabama became the dynasty of the 21st century, if not forever, by winning five more titles, while Texas has bounced from coach to coach, hoping to find some stability.

Enter Steve Sarkisian: The former Crimson Tide offensive coordinator who helped Bama win the CFP title in 2020 now runs the Longhorn program with a mandate to bring Texas “back” to the national stage.

Here’s what you need to know about the week 2 matchup.

Week 2 College Football Schedule: Alabama at Texas

how to look

When: Saturday, September 10

Time: 12 pm Eastern Time

television: fox

Stream: fuboTV (Start your free trial)

Alabama odds vs. texas, differential, line

Line: Alabama-20

S/U: 65

Money Line: ALA -1786 TEX +800

FPI Pick: Alabama 81.8%

Texas vs. Alabama: What to Watch

1. Texas skill players. When you’re up against players like Alabama’s athletic forward seven, you need speed, agility and athleticism. Texas has that in running back Bijan Robinson and wide receiver Xavier Worthy, a pairing that can claim to be the best in college football at their respective positions. Add inexperienced but stratospheric potential quarterback Quinn Ewers, and the Longhorns should be able to move the ball moderately well early in the game. That’s it …

2. …If the Texas line holds. It’s an understatement to say the Longhorns’ offensive protection struggled a year ago. Texas signed a very impressive group in this year’s draft class, but it might be too much to ask those new guys to go against Tide’s passing rush as a first test. Alabama allowed less than 85 rushing ypg last season and is pushing Will Anderson, arguably the best player in college football, out of bounds against these tackles. Texas will need deception and pace to get Bama off the schedule, because if the Longhorns lose control at the line early, this is going to get ugly.

3. Too much tide. What else can be said about Alabama under Nick Saban? For more than a decade, these teams have more or less perfected the game, and this roster represents another tangible surge of talent on all fronts. Quarterback game? Magnificent. Receivers? Agile and fast. The running game? Efficient and powerful. Line of scrimmage? Dominant and physical. Training? Incomparable. No team has been better prepared for games like this than Alabama under Saban.

Alabama vs. Texas: Fast Facts

+ Texas is 5-11 all-time against teams ranked No. 1, and is 2-2 in last 4

+ Alabama scored on its first 9 possessions in Game 1 and in all 8 series with all starters in

+ Bijan Robinson has 27 plays of more than 20 yards and 6 of 50 or more

+ Tide receivers totaled more than 100 yards in the first half of 18 of the last 42 games

+ Texas is 1-7 when allowing 30-plus points with Sarkisian

+ Alabama has scored 40-plus points in 41 of the last 57 games (71.9% of the time) leading the nation

+ Xavier Worthy set Texas freshman records in 2021 with 62 receptions, 981 yards and 12 TDs

+ Alabama has won 48 of its last 49 games when scoring a TD on the opening drive

+ Texas is 6-3 when leading after the third quarter under Sarkisian and 0-4 when trailing after the third quarter

+ Will Anderson led college football with 17.5 sacks and 34.5 TFL a year ago, and leads a returning Tide defense with 7 starters

+ Texas is 4-0 when winning time of possession under Sarkisian and 2-7 when losing TOP

+ Alabama is 163-9 under Saban when leading at the half and 147-4 when leading by 7 or more at halftime

What happens?

Yes, Texas will get some long winners from the Tide defense. How could they not, with talent from around the world like Robinson and Worthy carrying the ball?

But the Longhorns will have to keep coming, because Alabama won’t stop.

Saban’s offense will make fewer mistakes, connect with the small and medium gains that make up consistent units, and be more efficient overall.

Texas will get one or two highlights, but it doesn’t have the manpower right now to take on the Alabama athletes.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply