The Alabama Crimson Tide have had a good history of late against Big Ten teams, and they have really dominated their openers, which tend to be against good clubs. They've got a real test on their hands on Saturday against the Wisconsin Badgers though, the same club which came from behind to beat Auburn in the Outback Bowl last season.
WHEN THE ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE HAVE THE BALL
The Crimson Tide have to make some adjustments this season. Blake Sims is gone, as well are the team's top three receivers. That's just fine from our standpoint, though. Alabama will have to go back to more of a running game, particularly without a starting pivot named as of Thursday evening.
Jacob Coker, who was once in a battle with Jameis Winston at Florida State to be the Seminoles' starting quarterback, figures to get the nod, but we aren't sure yet.
However, it shouldn't matter all that much. Derrick Henry is a beast of a running back, and he should make a seamless transition in the ground game to replace T.J. Yeldon.
Dave Aranda's defense for the Badgers was awesome last year in a stout Big Ten, ranking fourth in the nation in total defense and No. 17 in scoring. Vince Biegel and Joe Schobert are awesome outside linebackers who can rush the passer, and you can bet that these men will have a say in how this game turns out.
If during the ABC broadcast, you hear the names Biegel and Schobert a lot, you know that the Badgers have a legitimate chance to win this game outright, which means it's time to do some live betting. If not, the Crimson Tide are likely doing a lot of running the ball into the second level of the defense, which is going to make this a long game for the Badgers.
WHEN THE WISCONSIN BADGERS HAVE THE BALL
Corey Clement is the next in a long line of featured running backs for the Badgers. He has more or less just been the second fiddle to Melvin Gordon last year, but we know that he has the ability to be a 2,000+ yard back just like his predecessor.
The Wisconsin passing attack drives us nuts. Remember at the beginning of last season when the Badgers played against LSU? For two and a half quarters, they jammed the ball down LSU's throat with the running game before giving up on it in the third for some unknown reason with a 24-7 lead. Then QB Tanner McEvoy went just 8-of-24 for 50 yards with two picks, and he's the reason that game was lost.
The ball goes back to Joel Stave for the Badgers this year. He's a fifth year player and a man who has been around the block a ton. However, to keep this as short and as nice as possible, he sucks. He has barely completed 55 percent of his passes in his career, and he has just 37 TDs against 26 picks in spite of the fact that he has been here in Madison since 2011.
If Wisconsin just keeps running it, Alabama's all-world defense is probably going to be able to slow the game down to a halt, making this game a surefire under. If the Badgers try passing though, this game is going to end up being a blowout. If the Tide get ahead and force Stave to put the ball in the air, this game is only going to get worse, something which live bettors must be aware of.
TREND TO TRACK
Neutral site games, for whatever reason, have always trended towards the over for the Crimson Tide. They are 13-3-1 for over bettors in their last 17 neutral site games. This one though, is a tough sell to over backers at seven touchdowns, knowing that both of these teams are just going to grind it out on the ground. Expect to see at least 60 running plays between these two sides, if not more by the time it's said and done with.
The NCAA football betting lines and props were first available at BookMaker Sportsbook. The Alabama Crimson Tide were laying 10.5-points, while the total first appeared at 49.5. Since this game can be seen by anyone with a TV, BookMaker will have a multitude of wagering options available for it. Outside of the normal lines, you can gamble on real-time odds and player props during the game. Live betting is open during every commercial break!
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook! The matchup between the Alabama Crimson Tide and Wisconsin Badgers will take place Saturday, September 6, 2015 at 8:00 p.m. ET at AT&T Stadium. The contest will be televised nationally on ABC.
