Millions of gamblers looked hard at a mighty name-brand matchup at the onset of College Football Betting Week. Last year in Austin, Texas, the upstart Texas Longhorns had the Alabama Crimson Tide on the ropes. Texas led 19-17 with 1:20 to go. But the Tide rallied to drive for the game-winning field goal to escape with a 20-19 win. Now, the rematch beckons from Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Next year, Texas will join the SEC to challenge Alabama’s supremacy. For now, the Longhorns will seek revenge and credibility for their final season in the Big 12.
Texas Longhorns vs. Alabama Crimson Tide Betting Information
| Date and Time: | Saturday, September 9, 2023, 7 p.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | Bryant Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, AL |
| TV Coverage: | ESPN |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | +7 (-110) | 54½ (-110) | +230 |  |
| Alabama | -7 (-110) | 54½ (-110) | -280 | |
| ||||
Texas at Alabama SBG Odds Overview
The 2023 campaign is one of the most important sportsbook seasons in the recent history of the Texas Longhorns. Head coach Steve Sarkisian enters this third season on the job expecting to win the Big 12 conference championship. Next year, Texas heads to the SEC next season and is said to be built up for championship contention. But the Longhorns have been talked up many times before, only to flop under the hot lights. The same holds for “Seven Win Sark.” Last week against Rice, the Longhorns won but failed to get the money.
Texas Longhorns Team Overview
Last game, the Texas Longhorns won 37-10 against the Rice Owls as 35.5-point home favorites. The game went under the total of 58.5. Texas has a record of 1-0 straight up, 0-1 against the spread, and 0-1 over/under the total. Texas ranks 40th for total offense, 29th for passing, 60th for rushing, and 48th for scoring. Defensively, they rank 9th overall, 39th against the pass, 6th against the rush, and 29th for points allowed. Also, Texas ranks 52nd for the fewest turnovers lost and 22nd for takeaways.
Namely, Quinn Ewers passed for three touchdowns and ran for another. Texas overcame a sluggish start with an overwhelming third quarter. Specifically, Texas and its smothering defense beat the Owls 37-10 on Saturday in the season opener for both teams. Texas forced three turnovers, only allowed Rice 172 total yards, and didn’t give up a touchdown until late in the fourth quarter.
Alabama Crimson Tide Team Overview
Last game, the Alabama Crimson Tide won 56-7 against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders as 39-point home favorites. The game went over a total of 52.5. Alabama has a record of 1-0 straight up, 1-0 against the spread, and 1-0 over/under the total. Alabama ranks 51st for total offense, 68th for passing, 29th for rushing, and 9th for scoring. Defensively, they rank 19th overall, 26th against the pass, 31st against the rush, and 16th for points allowed. Also, Alabama ranks 18th for fewest turnovers lost and 40th for takeaways.
In sum, Jalen Milroe threw three long touchdown passes and ran for a pair of scores, including one where he turned a potentially huge loss into a dash to the end zone. Milroe emerged on top of a three-man battle to replace Bryce Young in fall camp for the Crimson Tide. Subsequently, he delivered big plays and no costly mistakes in his second career start. Milroe threw touchdown passes of 47 yards to Isaiah Bond, 48 to Jermaine Burton, and 29 to Amari Niblack.
Texas at Alabama SBG Free Picks
Although the revenge angle is getting College Football Betting attention, Alabama is the proven brand in this matchup.
Texas at Alabama SBG Best Bet: Alabama Crimson Tide.