Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Penn State Nittany Lions Betting Preview

Opening Line: Alabama +10 Over/Under: 43.5

Time: 3:30 PM EST Saturday September 10, 2011 on ABC

Both teams had no problems winning their opening games of the season and this game will be the first big test for each. The Tide have the defense, but their offense is a question mark since they had to replace QB Greg McElroy, RB Mark Ingram, and WR Julio Jones. Penn State knows the Tide's pain, as they lost all time leading rusher Evan Royster, but the Nittany Lions had no problem racking up the rushing yards (245) in their opening game blowout win.

Last week Penn State crushed Indiana State 41-7 and Alabama had no problems laying a 48-7 beat down on Kent State.
AJ McCarron and Phillip Sims fought for the starting Alabama QB spot and each played against Kent State and McCarron passed for 226 yards and 1 TD and Sims was 7/14 for 73 yards, but each threw 2 picks. McCarron may get the start against Penn State, but head coach Nick Saban has not set a starter yet. However, whoever is under center will be facing the strength of the Nittany Lions D, which is their secondary.
The Nittany Lions have a suspect run defense, but held Indiana State to only 105 yards. However, they will have their hands full against a Tide rushing attack that racked up 183 rushing yards against Kent State and features Trent Richardson, who rushed for 3 TD last week. Penn State must play well against the run and if they do not they will lose this game.
The Nittany Lions really have to worry about Alabama WR Marquis Maze, who accounted for 214 yards (118 on 8 rec with 1 TD and 96 on kick returns), as he has the talent to take it to the house every time he touches the ball.
Penn State was solid rushing the ball last week with RB Silas Redd rushing for 104 yards and 2 TD averaging 8.7 yards per carry. Like the Tide the Nittany Lions had 2 QB's play to audition for the Alabama game last week and Rob Bolden or Matt McGloin will get the start against Alabama this Saturday.
Can the Penn State offense move the ball against an Alabama defense that may be the best on the nation and held Kent State to 90 total yards including -9 rushing yards? Big question. The Nittany Lions offensive line is a concern, as they did not pass protect well against Indiana State, who are no Alabama when it comes to rushing the opposing QB.
The Tide lost 3 players from the secondary to the NFL, but they are still stacked and whoever starts at QB for PSU will be in for a long afternoon, especially if the line cannot protect them.

Betting Trends

In their opening games Alabama covered the big 39-point spread and the total went over while Penn State did not cover and the total went Under.
Alabama is 7-0 ATS in their last 7 non-conference games, 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as a favorite, and has an Over record of 8-1-1 in their last 10 non-conference games.
Penn State is 2-7 ATS in their last 9 non-conference games, 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games as an underdog of 3.5-10, and has an Under record of 7-2 in their last 9 non-conference games.


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