The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (1-0, 0-0 Away) will visit the #3 Alabama Crimson Tide (1-0, 0-0 Home) on Saturday, September 12, 2015 at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The game will televise at 4 PM ET on SECN. The current odds list Alabama as a 35-point favorite with the over/under set at 56.
Middle Tennessee is coming in off a 70-14 win over Jackson State. Freshman quarterback Brent Stockstill went 23 for 29 with 336 yards. He threw four touchdowns and had one interception. Jordan Parker had 68 yards on 16 carries and added one rushing touchdown. Shane Tucker ran for 61 yards on 14 carries. Ed’Marques Batties led all receivers with 123 yards on eight catches and had two touchdowns. The Blue Raiders are 4-1 ATS in their last five games in September and 1-4 ATS in their last five games overall.
Alabama is coming in off a big win over Wisconsin by a score of 35-17.Jake Coker went 15 for 21 with 213 yards and a touchdown. Derrick Henry ran for 147 yards on 13 carries along with three touchdowns. Kenyan Drake also had a touchdown to go with his 77 yards on 10 carries. Robert Foster had 50 yards receiving along with a touchdown while Kenyan Drake added 48 yards on 2 receptions. The Crimson Tide are 1-8-1 ATS in their last ten non-conference games and 1-5 ATS in their last six games following a win.
My Pick: Middle Tennessee +35
Tough game to call but I am taking the points in this one. Alabama can blow these guys out but I think the Blue Raiders have enough talent to keep it within five touchdowns. Alabama will cruise in the first half and head to the back seat in the second half. Therefore, I like the Blue Raiders to get the back door cover.