Alabama Crimson Tide at Arkansas Razorbacks
Saturday, 9/25/10, 3:30 PM EDT, TV: CBS
Opening Point Spread: Alabama -6
Current Betting Line: Alabama -7
Opening Total: 54
Current Total: 56
Current Moneyline: Alabama -295/Arkansas +245
Lines taken from Bookmaker Sportsbook, a great book for online football betting.
Top-ranked Alabama opens SEC play with a visit to Fayetteville, Arkansas, to take on the No. 10 Arkansas Razorbacks. It will be the 21st meeting between the two schools and the Crimson Tide’s eighth trip to Fayetteville. Alabama leads the series 10-8 after a dominating 35-7 win over the Razorbacks last season in Tuscaloosa. The squad has won three straight in the series and four of the last five contests. Third-year head coach Nick Saban has the important task of keeping his team focused on the task at hand, as they are set to play rival Florida the following week. The team is 10-2 against AP Top 25 opponents over the past three seasons, including a 1-0 mark this season. Over the last three seasons, Saban’s squad has produced a fantastic 21-9 ATS record and the total is 13-16 O/U in those contests. The spread on this game is hovering around the key number of 7 so be sure to view our NCAA football lines page to compare lines from multiple sportsbooks giving you the best shot at getting a good number no matter what side you like.
The Crimson Tide returned eight starters from the 2009 offense that set a school-record with 5,642 yards of total offense. Heisman Trophy winning running back Mark Ingram returned to action last week in a 62-13 victory over Duke, rushing for 151 yards on just nine rushes. “Felt better than I did before I had the injury,” Ingram said. This year’s squad is off to a better start offensively, averaging 542 yards of total offense per game to rank fourth nationally and first in the SEC. Alabama is scoring 44.67 points per game to lead the conference and rank ninth nationally. Senior quarterback Greg McElroy is leading the charge, completing 71.7 percent of his passes for 705 yards and six touchdowns. The team is 8-1 ATS in their last nine road games overall and 3-0 ATS as a road favorite of 3.5 to 7 points.
Arkansas enters the game 3-0 overall and 1-0 in league play after a 31-24 victory over Georgia last weekend. The Razorbacks have won eight of their last nine games dating back to last season. Alabama and Florida are the only two other schools in the SEC to win at least eight of their last nine. For the seventh time in school history and first time since 1979, two top ten teams will meet in Fayetteville. Arkansas has won two of the previous six matchups, with both wins coming in 1965. The program is 4-11 all-time against the nation’s top-ranked team and half of those wins have come against a conference foe in Fayetteville. The Razorbacks are 10-7 ATS in their last 17 games against SEC opponents and the total is 10-7 O/U in those games.
The Razorbacks defense may be up to the challenge of stopping the Crimson Tide’s high-powered rushing game, allowing just two rushing touchdowns in the last 14 quarters. The unit also leads the SEC in sacks, averaging 4.0 per game in 2010. On the other side of the ball, Arkansas is led by quarterback Ryan Mallett, who leads the SEC and ranks third nationally in 359.3 yards of total offense per game. His nine passing touchdowns pace the conference and is tied for third in the NCAA. In his 19 collegiate starts, Mallett has thrown for 200 or more yards 17 times and 300 or more yards eight times, all while being a member of the Razorbacks (previously with Michigan).
Bettors will be interested in knowing that the Crimson Tide is 10-4 ATS in their last 14 conference games, while the Razorbacks are a capable 4-0 ATS as a home underdog in their last four opportunities. Maddux Sports has actually released this game as a premium pick to its clients. We know what the right side is and should have another easy winner on our hands. Currently on a 75% run our last 24 college football picks you know you are getting a great play on this game. Visit the college football sports picks page and follow us to the bank.
