FSU vs. Alabama College Football Week 1 Odds, Pick & Game Info

The marquee matchup of College Football Week 1 of the 2017 college football season is set for Saturday night, as the Alabama Crimson Tide square off with the Florida State Seminoles. Both of these teams return with their eyes set on the national championship. Alabama ended up losing to Clemson in the national semifinal, but they have reloaded with their recruiting class to replace many of the talented players that graduated or went to the National Football League. Florida State may have the better roster, though, returning 15 starters from their 10-3 squad from last year. While Alabama finished their season with a loss, Florida State knocked off Michigan in the Orange Bowl, 33-32. Let’s find out why Alabama is the NCAAF odds favorite against FSU this Saturday.

FSU vs. Alabama College Football Week 1 Odds, Pick & Game Info

Game Week.#BeatBama pic.twitter.com/Uv5k3DUYJZ

— FSU Football (@FSUFootball) August 28, 2017

When: Saturday, September 2, 2017, 8:00 PM ET Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta TV: ABC Radio: WWOF 103.1 FM(FSU) / Tide 102.9 FM (Alabama) Live Stream: WatchESPN College Football Week 1 Odds: Alabama -7, O/U 49.5

Weather Forecast

• Clear: 25^°C/77^°F
• Humidity: 56%
• Precipitation: 1%
• Wind: 7 mph WNW
• Cloud Cover: 13%
• Type of Stadium: Retractable

Why should you bet on the Seminoles?

Deondre Francois returns as the face of this team, having led all freshmen quarterbacks in the nation in passing yardage. Despite the fact that tailback Dalvin Cook is now carrying the ball for the Minnesota Vikings and several Seminole wideouts are now in the pros as well, Florida State still has a lightning-quick offense. They do have a young offensive line, which could end up being a weakness at least in the early going, but as they develop confidence as a unit the offense should continue to thrive. They put up 35.1 points per game a year ago, but they might put up even more this year. In the first half of the 2016 season, the Florida State defense was a little suspect, as they permitted 42.3 points per game in the first four contests. However, they reduced that number to just 18.5 points per game in the last eight games of the regular season. Ten defensive starters return, and their secondary has the best rating in the nation. If you like Florida State, you think that they will be able to overcome their early-season jitters from a year ago and out-execute one of the most consistent programs in the history of college football.

Why should you put your money on the Crimson Tide?

The Alabama defense did surrender 35 points in the national championship game last year. However, during the regular season, that number was just 13.0 points per game. They only have eleven starters returning overall this season, but their recruiting class ranked #2 in the nation. Six of the recruits on defense rank in the top 30 in the nation at their positions on the field. Their linebacking corps has the top rating in the nation, which means that they will have sideline-to- sideline pursuit that is second to none. The Alabama offense should be stellar as well. Jalen Hurts led the Crimson Tide to the championship game as a true freshman, throwing for 2,780 yards and 23 touchdowns (against just nine interceptions) and also ran for 954 yards, scoring 13 more touchdowns with his feet. Tailback Damien Harris returns after a 1,037-yard campaign in 2016, along with Bo Scarbrough, who picked up 812 yards on his own. Calvin Ridley returns to lead a solid receiving corps, so this is an offense that should be scary week in and week out.

Series History

• Total Meetings: 4
• First Meeting: October 23rd, 1965. Tuscaloosa, Alabama
• Last Meeting: September 29th, 2007. Jacksonville, Florida.
• All-Time Series: Alabama 2-1-1
• Largest Margin of Victory: Alabama 21-0 (1965)
• Longest Win Streak: Alabama 1 (1965)
• Current Win Streak: 0

NCAAF Odds Betting Trends

• Florida State is 5-1 ATS in the last 6 games
• Florida State is 5-0 SU in the last 5 games
• The total went UNDER in 6 of Florida State’s last 9 games
• Alabama is 7-3 ATS in the last 10 games
• Alabama is 24-1 SU in the last 25 games

Expert College Football Week 1 Pick and Final Score Prediction

The Crimson Tide have reloaded, and until they fall, it is hard to make the case to bet against them. When Alabama entered their Week 1 cross-conference matchup with USC last year, all they did was blow the doors off an overhyped Trojan team. Are the Seminoles the next squad that is ready to be exposed by the Tide? We’ll see on Saturday night. I don’t see Alabama rolling to the sort of rout that they did against USC, but I definitely see them covering. Give me the Tide winning, 31-13.