This weekend's NCAA football odds are loaded with top-20 matchups, and the most physical may come from the Georgia Dome on Saturday night, when No.5 Alabama takes on No.7 Virginia Tech as the online betting favorites.
Alabama vs Virginia Tech Odds - Saturday, September 5, 8:00 PM ET
The Crimson Tide returns eight starters from a defense that was one of the best in the nation, although it ran into some problems against the spread offenses run by Florida and Utah. From front to back, they should be even better than last year. The offense has to replace John Parker Wilson at quarterback, but Greg McEloy has been around the program long enough to know the system. He'll have running back Mark Ingram and receiver Julio Jones, who are allowed to play despite breaking a couple NCAA rules.
The Hokies won the ACC championship behind a stiff defense that need to be even better as running back Darren Evans tore his knee in preseason. Tyrod Thomas is out to prove that he can be more than just a running quarterback, but he doesn't have much at receiver. Virginia Tech is also starting two first-year starters at inside linebacker, and talk about a tough task: Alabama is well known for their power running game, and with a new quarterback, that could come into play even more.
Your betting software may recommend that you take the under on this game, as these were two of the top defenses in the country in 2008, and it doesn't look like much will change. The Crimson Tide are 6.5-point favorites, and will probably have the edge in terms of crowd support as the Georgia Dome is SEC country, and the Hokies have lost three of their last four games away from home. However, two of those losses came by five points or less, so they shouldn't get blown out. This game will come down to a late mistake, and Alabama's offense is marginally better than Virginia Tech, not good enough to cover the spread, but good enough to be one of your sports picks to win on Saturday.
-- BetOnline.com
Alabama vs Virginia Tech Odds - Saturday, September 5, 8:00 PM ET
The Crimson Tide returns eight starters from a defense that was one of the best in the nation, although it ran into some problems against the spread offenses run by Florida and Utah. From front to back, they should be even better than last year. The offense has to replace John Parker Wilson at quarterback, but Greg McEloy has been around the program long enough to know the system. He'll have running back Mark Ingram and receiver Julio Jones, who are allowed to play despite breaking a couple NCAA rules.
The Hokies won the ACC championship behind a stiff defense that need to be even better as running back Darren Evans tore his knee in preseason. Tyrod Thomas is out to prove that he can be more than just a running quarterback, but he doesn't have much at receiver. Virginia Tech is also starting two first-year starters at inside linebacker, and talk about a tough task: Alabama is well known for their power running game, and with a new quarterback, that could come into play even more.
Your betting software may recommend that you take the under on this game, as these were two of the top defenses in the country in 2008, and it doesn't look like much will change. The Crimson Tide are 6.5-point favorites, and will probably have the edge in terms of crowd support as the Georgia Dome is SEC country, and the Hokies have lost three of their last four games away from home. However, two of those losses came by five points or less, so they shouldn't get blown out. This game will come down to a late mistake, and Alabama's offense is marginally better than Virginia Tech, not good enough to cover the spread, but good enough to be one of your sports picks to win on Saturday.
-- BetOnline.com
