Alabama Crimson Tide 2019 college football betting preview

Alabama Crimson Tide at a glance

2018 record: 14-1 2018 SEC record: 8-0 Key additions: DE Antonio Alfano, RB Trey Sanders, OT Evan Neal Key losses: QB Jalen Hurts, DT Quinnen Williams, OT Jonah Williams

Overview

Big things were expected of Alabama in 2018, as it entered the season No. 1 in the AP Poll for the third straight year, and for the most part the Crimson Tide didn’t disappoint. Nick Saban’s squad rolled through the regular season, scored 45 points or more in each of its first six games and pitched a pair of shutouts against LSU and Mississippi State late in the campaign.

Alabama had only one blemish on its record, but it was a biggie. The Crimson Tide were crushed by Clemson, 44-16, in the College Football Playoff National Championship, as the Tigers picked apart their secondary and racked up 482 total yards.

Was the lopsided loss an aberration, or was it the first sign that Alabama’s dynasty under Saban is coming to an end?

College Football Playoff odds: +250

As usual Alabama’s roster is loaded with blue-chippers, but any discussion of the Crimson Tide’s odds must begin with All-American quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who shattered Baker Mayfield’s NCAA FBS passer rating record in 2018 and finished second to Kyler Murray in Heisman voting.

The junior will be under the watchful eye of offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian, who returns to Tuscaloosa after a brief stint in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons. Sarkisian has molded top-shelf passers like Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart and Mark Sanchez and should be able to elevate Tagovailoa’s game to a whole new level.

Tagovailoa will also benefit from one of the best receiving corps in college football. Jerry Jeudy is back a year after he hauled in 14 touchdowns, and will be joined by Henry Ruggs III, Jaylen Waddle and DeVonta Smith. It’s an embarrassment of riches and one Tagovailoa will exploit to its fullest potential.

The real question is on defense, where Bama will have to fill the gaping holes left behind by Quinnen Williams and Mack Wilson. The Crimson Tide are precariously thin at middle linebacker and will need to lean heavily on Dylan Moses, who recorded 86 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 2018.

Alabama’s defensive concerns should give bettors pause, particularly for a year in which Clemson seems destined to win a second consecutive championship.

2019 win total: 11 (O -165/ U +125)

Love him or hate him, you have to give Saban credit for continually demanding a tougher schedule. The two-time AP Coach of the Year recently reiterated his desire for Alabama to play at least 10 Power Five schools per season.

That time may come, but it won’t be in 2019. The Crimson Tide’s schedule is still loaded with cupcakes like New Mexico State and Western Carolina. Alabama has gone undefeated four times during the regular season under Saban. Expect it to happen again in 2019.

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