Both USC and Alabama will be looking to build upon impressive winning streaks in season openers with the Trojans looking to rattle off their 19th straight and the Crimson Tide their 15th. Each of these teams has glaring question marks entering Week 1. The defending champs lost a number of players from last year’s championship team to graduation and the NFL, while the Pac-12 reps have a fresh new coaching staff in place. Regardless, this is a matchup of two of the most athletically gifted teams in the country, and it’s one you’ll certainly want to tune into Saturday night.
Watch this regular season Week 1 matchup live on Saturday, September 3, 2016, at 8 p.m. ET at AT&T Stadium.
College Football Odds at BookMaker.eu
USC +11.5
Alabama -11.5
Over/Under 54
Odds Analysis
Per usual, the Crimson Tide is getting love from the betting public. And why not? They’ve been nothing but money in season openers taking down Wisconsin, West Virginia, Virginia Tech and Michigan all by double digits the last four seasons. They initially opened up as 10 point chalk for this neutral field bout, but have garnered enough action in the days leading up to kick off to raise it to -11.5.
Though each of these defenses lost integral pieces up front from last season, the total hasn’t seen much movement with it dropping to 54 from the 54.5 point opener. With each squad breaking in new quarterbacks for this one, it’s likely the total trickles down even further as we get closer to game time.
Player to Watch
Max Browne played the role of backup his first two seasons with the team behind Cody Kessler. Now it’s the National High School Player of the Years’ time to shine, and he’s going to get an immediate education on just how tough it is to compete against one of the best programs in the country. Unfortunately, he’ll be forced to throw into the strength of the Crimson’s Tide returning defense with Eddie Jackson leading the charge.
He’s got a veteran and athletic offensive line in front of him. If he can keep his cool and not get rattled by the constant pressure, USC will have an excellent shot of not only covering but seriously winning this game. That’s a tremendous “if” however with many expecting the Tide’s pass rush to not skip a beat.
Matchup to Watch
Nick Saban has had a number of exceptional running backs throughout his tenure in Tuscaloosa. He does however have to go to war without his two best rushers from a season ago. Still, he has an exceptional talent in the form of sophomore Bo Scarborough who many predict will become Bama’s next star running back.
Though the Crimson Tide only return two starters from last year’s offensive line that paved the way for just under 200 yards per game, you can bet your bottom dollar Bama looks to continue rushing the pigskin ad nauseum. Mostly because it’s the program’s “MO” but also because USC lacks experience in its front seven with just one starter returning.
With the Trojans employing the 3-4, Bama will need to excel on the ground to take most of the pressure off Cooper Bateman who is more known for being an astute game manager than exceptional talent. If USC is forced to load the box to stop the run, he’s going to have a much easier time getting the pigskin to stud wide receivers Calvin Ridley and ArDarius Stewart. Look for O.J Howard to play a big role as well should the strength of the Trojans defense rise to the occasion.
Free ATS Pick
Bama haters will most definitely be grabbing the double digits with USC in this one. While I lean that way, I’m still a bit skeptical. Alabama simply reloads every year. It hasn’t mattered who they’ve lost evidenced by the four national championships in the last seven years.
USC possesses the defensive makeup to really give Bama’s retooled offense fits. The secondary has a shot of quieting the Tide’s passing game, but it will be up to the front seven to also contain a furious ground assault for all four quarters. I believe the Trojans do just that for a bulk of the game, but will eventually run out of gas to allow Bama to pull out the hard fought victory.
Either way, I expect the defenses to hold the upper hand in this one with each side breaking in new field generals ultimately limiting the scoring. I’d sure like to see these teams meet up again later in the season though.
College Football Odds: Alabama 27, USC 17
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