Another great game scheduled for 9/11 in Tuscaloosa. Two perinneal powerhouses in their respective conferencs get together for the first of a home and home series. Penn State returns 7 players to the offense, but is in search of a QB. There are four candidates, but JoePa is in no hurry picking a starter. They will need to find two new Tackles. WR Chaz Powell may be flipped to the defensive side of the ball. The Lions only return 5 starters on that side, and must replace all 3 LB's and both CB's. It will be critical for Penn State to get excellent defensive line play.
Alabama returns 8 starters on an offense that was potent in spring drills, according to HC Nick Saban. All the skill position players return, including QB McElroy and what most consider to be the best RB tandem in the NCAA. Where 'Bama is going to have major difficulties is on defense, where only one starter returns. The secondary takes a major hit, losing their nickel backs along with their starters. The front 3 also must be replaced, as well as LB's McClain, who left early, and Fanney. This defense is going to gie up points early, and is very suspect in the passing game.
From a wagering standpoint, we have a team that is the returning National Champions, favored to repeat, playing at home against a team that is in a major rebuilding year. This really sounds easy, right? Maybe. Penn State rarely plays a non-con game away from home, ala Florida and Michigan. Last year their toughest non-con opponent was Temple. The Lions are rarely dogs, having been favored in every regular season game in the past 3 seasons except one, a loss to Ohio State. The only other time they were a dog resulted in a loss to USC in the Rose Bowl. Penn State did not cover either game. Alabama is used to having decent competition in their first two games of the season, having opened with Clemson and Virginia Tech in the past two seasons, both at neutral sites. Obviously Alabama will be the favorites here, but if the line does not get too far out of hand, 'Bama may be the play.
Alabama returns 8 starters on an offense that was potent in spring drills, according to HC Nick Saban. All the skill position players return, including QB McElroy and what most consider to be the best RB tandem in the NCAA. Where 'Bama is going to have major difficulties is on defense, where only one starter returns. The secondary takes a major hit, losing their nickel backs along with their starters. The front 3 also must be replaced, as well as LB's McClain, who left early, and Fanney. This defense is going to gie up points early, and is very suspect in the passing game.
From a wagering standpoint, we have a team that is the returning National Champions, favored to repeat, playing at home against a team that is in a major rebuilding year. This really sounds easy, right? Maybe. Penn State rarely plays a non-con game away from home, ala Florida and Michigan. Last year their toughest non-con opponent was Temple. The Lions are rarely dogs, having been favored in every regular season game in the past 3 seasons except one, a loss to Ohio State. The only other time they were a dog resulted in a loss to USC in the Rose Bowl. Penn State did not cover either game. Alabama is used to having decent competition in their first two games of the season, having opened with Clemson and Virginia Tech in the past two seasons, both at neutral sites. Obviously Alabama will be the favorites here, but if the line does not get too far out of hand, 'Bama may be the play.
