Saturday’s matchup between Alabama and Texas is sure to receive plenty of attention across the country. [autotag]Nick Saban[/autotag] and the Tide will travel to Austin to take on Steve Sarkisian, a former Saban assistant, and the Texas Longhorns.
As much attention as the master versus the disciple received, once the players step between the lines, those are the ones who will decide the outcome.
Alabama clearly is ahead of Texas when it comes to players on the field. You could make the argument that the 2022 squad is as talented a team that coach Saban has had in his time in Tuscaloosa.
Despite being a heavy road favorite over the Longhorns, the Crimson Tide has seemed to take this game and the opponent very seriously. We are likely to learn a great deal about this year’s version of the Tide come Saturday.
Staff predicts the game
| Alabama (-19.5) | Record ATS | Winner | Record Overall | |
| AJ Spurr | Alabama | 1-0 | Alabama | 1-0 |
| Stacey Blackwood | Alabama | 1-0 | Alabama | 1-0 |
| Sam Murphy | Texas | 0-1 | Alabama | 1-0 |
| Brody Smoot | Alabama | 1-0 | Alabama | 1-0 |
AJ Spurr
Texas has the honor of being the first team to score against Alabama; the Crimson Tide shut out Utah State in Week 1. There’s plenty of offensive power on this Longhorns team to test the Alabama defense, but it’s far too young in crucial positions to do damage against an experienced Crimson Tide defense. Bryce Young and the offense will likely have some fun against the Texas secondary. I don’t anticipate too much action from running back Jahmyr Gibbs after the Longhorns’ defensive front flexed some muscles against Week 1 opponent Louisiana-Monroe.
Alabama 45, Texas 20
Stacey Blackwood
Despite demolishing Utah State last week, this Alabama team still seems hungry. Bryce Young, Will Anderson, and the rest of the Tide are eager to prove that last season’s failure is a thing of the past. With the opportunity on a national stage, I expect the Tide to make a statement against the Longhorns.
Alabama 42, Texas 17
Sam Murphy
The Crimson Tide looked like the best team in the country in Week 1 as they easily covered the massive 41.5-point spread against Utah State. Alabama is not known to shy away from big games, while the Longhorns still have a lot of questions to answer. How will Ewers look in a real game? Can Sarkisian keep up with Saban? How will the Texas offensive line stop Will Anderson and Dallas Turner? I think Texas has too many questions, and the Tide have all the answers. Tide run away with this one.
Alabama 49, Texas 21
Brody Smoot
Alabama has been waiting to make a statement ever since the loss to Georgia in the College Football Playoff. This will be its first opportunity, and it is a very good one. I fully expect the Crimson Tide to click on all cylinders on the offensive side of the ball. Traeshon Holden, Kobe Prentice and Jermaine Burton all had big games last week, and the expectation is that it will continue into Week 2’s matchup. I also expect the defense to create substantial pressure and limit the Longhorns’ explosive offense. In the end, Alabama is too much to handle on offense on Saturday afternoon.
Alabama 45, Texas 17
All Betting Lines are courtesy of Tipico Sportsbook.