Middle Tennessee State at Alabama

Alabama is a national title contender as usual, and will be out to redeem itself after an 11-2 season, which is considered a less-than-great year by the Crimson Tide standard. Both losses came on the final play of the game and Nick Saban has new coordinators this season - Tommy Rees and Kevin Steele. Saban still hasn't named a starting quarterback and is concentrating on the running game after losing Jahmyr Gibbs to the NFL. The Tide returns only five defensive starters but, of course, there is plenty of talent to replace them and the defensive line figures to be outstanding. Middle Tennessee comes off a fine season capped by a bowl game win over San Diego State. Still, the Blue Raiders don't figure to stay close in this game and they gave up 40-plus points four times in 2022 and that includes a 44-7 loss to James Madison. Sophomore QB Nick Vattiato appeared in two games last season and was 30 of 46 for 293 yards and no TDs with an interception. The defense lost two of its best players in Jordan Ferguson and Decorian Patterson and the Blue Raiders allowed 28 points per game in 2022. Alabama has averaged 44 points the past four seasons and Middle Tennessee went OVER seven of its last 10 games. Take Alabama and the OVER.