The Alabama Crimson Tide and Miami Hurricanes will meet Saturday in the season opener in a neutral-site game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Alabama vs. Miami odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.
The Crimson Tide are once again among the favorites to win the national championship this season, but they have plenty of big holes to fill. Bama had six players selected in the 2021 NFL Draft, including the new quarterback for the New England Patriots, Mac Jones.
The Hurricanes have their quarterback returning, as D’Eriq King is considered a Heisman hopeful. However, he is making his way back from a torn ACL, so it remains to be seen how effective he’ll be early on. The defense was terrible in 2020, however, allowing 174.5 yards per game on the ground, and “The U” must replace two effective pass rushers, too.
Alabama vs. Miami odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 12:20 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Alabama -1000 (bet $1000 to win $100) | Miami +600 (bet $100 to win $600)
- Against the spread (ATS): Alabama -19.5 (-112) | Miami +19.5 (-108)
- Over/Under (O/U): 61.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Alabama vs. Miami odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Alabama 41, Miami 20
Money line
Alabama (-1000) will cost you 10 times your potential return, and that’s risky business with the number of big-time players they must replace. However, they should still win, but there is just too much risk to play them straight up.
AVOID.
Against the spread
ALABAMA -19.5 (-112) might get off to a slow start as QB Bryce Young takes the reins of the offense. The Tide must also replace Heisman Trophy winner WR DeVonta Smith, but usually they just restock the cupboard. There isn’t a lot of concern, and they enter as the No. 1 team in The Associated Press Top 25 rankings.
Miami +19.5 (-108) was a respectable 8-2 SU/6-4 ATS during the regular season, but they were pounded by Clemson and North Carolina – their only two marquee opponents. They lost those two games by 25 and 36. Until “The U” shows signs of being back, keep fading them against elite opponents.
Over/Under
Play UNDER 61.5 (-110), but play it very, very lightly. Alabama might get off to a little bit of a sluggish start as they have plenty of new parts at the skill positions. It won’t take them long to get going, but Miami’s defense could confuse the Tide early on before Bama finds its sea legs.
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