I like Alabama in this game, but not sure if I like them enough for a cover, so this is the reason for my post. The reason I like Alabama is because of the speed they show on defense, and the fact they still have a strong offensive line that should open up some holes for the running backs, but the big question is, is this enough to cover a 13 point spread, as Michigan is strong as anyone who follows them knows in the rushing game, with Quarterback Denard Robinson, and running back Fitzgerald Toussaint.
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Why are people touting Alabama defense so hard ?? They'll be starting the season with a whole new set of unproven guys and we're crowning there defense blindly based off of no stats! Thats not wise at all! With that being said I think Alabama wins the game but I question do they cover because there defense is an unknown. But I'm currently waiting on the total. If its in the lower 40's I say play the OVER.Comment -
They are touting there defense so strong Z because of the returning lettermen, who are supposely faster than the studs that they lost. They are proven to an extent as they played last year. I also like Alabama no matter who they are playing as I believe there is no one better than Saban as a college coach.Comment -
Yea Urban but you have to be proven on the field before crowned. There defense will be quickly test in 6 days. But I do believe Alabama defense will give up atleast 3 touchdowns come Saturday. They will be young and unproven.
I say Alabama 31 Michigan 21Comment -
A lot of it is b/c of people's blind faith in Saban, which is well deserved.
However, if you remember back after their first title with Saban in 09, they lost 7 starters, comparable to what they lost this past year. In 10, they struggled at times breaking those new guys in. The problem I see for Michigan in this game is that everything they do well is based on D. Robinson and when Saban is given one thing to focus on, his success rate is really high.
I personally think Michigan covers the spread but loses the game based on the matchup of Bama's O vs Michigan's defense. I think Hoke is a hell of a coach and will really key on the run like we did in the first half last year, causing an ugly half. Difference between us and Michigan is I think Hoke adjusts better on the fly than our coaches do and Bama won't be able to pull away in the 2nd half.
I'd take Michigan and the points or nothing at all.Comment -
Nice insight GoVols817 and much appreciated, as this post, and the postings of Z are the reason I made the post, so I can gain a better perspective on this game, which helps me make a more rational decision if I want to play it or not.Comment -
I just saw the total at 45... I like the OVER, but I know people will bet it down due to the perception of Alabama defense. So I'll wait till maybe Saturday to put that bet inComment -
Don't get me wrong, Bama is going to be good. They may very well cover but based on Saban's track record, he's not going to take a lot of chances and give McCarron chances to get them behind in the first half. Due to that, I think Michigan stands a good chance of leading or being tied at the half and staying within the spread.
Unless they turn the ball over.Comment -
Alabama will win this game due to there O line. Lacy should have a big game.Comment -
Denard Robinson vs Alabama defense. Throws a lot of interceptions. He rushes but vs Alabama? Played 4 games against bcs ranked teams and threw for 12/31 and one reception td. And had 1 rushing td . Alabama has also played 4 games against bcs ranked teams and scored 7 td . 3 from rushing 4 from passing. Nick saban and great recruiting. I don't think Michigan can get on their level. Got Alabama -6.5Comment -
The Bama D isn't the big issue here - it's not like Bama's offense is the sure thing either. I may stay far away from this play.Comment -
While I think Denard on Turf has a chance to get off against a non-that-experienced Alabama D, the difference here will be in the trenches.
The biggest mismatch might be the Alabama O-line (could be best in America) vs Michigan D-Line, which has 3 maybe 4 new starters. Michigan is going to have a really hard time slowing down the rush.
That said I am staying off this one, I could see the cover going either way.Comment -
Denard robinson going to be spending alot of time on the side line watching alabama run all over michigan defense..bama defense will have enough speed to contain d.robinson .. D.robinson beat teams with his ability to run free in the open field...it wont happen against bama..u stop d.robinson ...u stop michigan ...i see this game bama up by a td at half...then bama will start pulling away against a tired wore down michigan defense that will be on the field too long...bama qb will have all day to throw...bama covers...Comment -
I could see mich being down 6 with 2 minutes to go and d-rob throws a pick and bama wins by 6. But I think this will be a 23-17 type game. Wouldn't be surprised to see a 9-7 lead by bama at the half. Point being I think the game will be close.
Treading lightly on it. I Put only 100 bucks on mich +13.Comment -
After reading some of the humor in this thread I am that much more confident that Alabama covers. Zboiz you got one thing right.. The Over. Alabama might put up 45 on Michican. We are looking at a 38-14 type game.Comment -
Why anyone thinks a B1G team can handle the best of the SEC is beyond me. The B1G will lose all credibility first week of the season when Mich and MichSt both lose.Comment -
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Zboiz, has a dislike for Alabama. You got to understand he is a LSU fan. That is where most of the humor comes from. Alabama gave up about 7 pts a game last year on defense and in 09 they gave up about 14 pts a game. This season I expect it to be alot like 09 on defense. This team's defensive starters have alot of experience collectively. Plenty of experience to stop a running QB that will be running for his life. I expect D. Robinson to throw at least 2 picks. Alabama should score the ball at will on Michican. I expect alot of "player movement" up front in the trenches. I have read some articles about Coach Saban wanting to be more "explosive" on offense this year so I expect more passing with the lead rather than the standard Alabama "run the ball up the middle" approach.Comment -
Alabama 30-10 MichComment -
Stepping in as a sub but being surrounded by NFL caliber proven players for a few plays is hardly experience having the weight of responsibility starting. Bama is talented, they are very well coached, but they will have a dropoff from last year defensively.
They may still have the best defense in the SEC, but they won't be as good as last year, they won't shut down teams like they did last year. They may not allow a lot of points, but they won't be lights out.
That's why I believe Michigan can keep the ball long enough to move clock along with Bama's rushing attack, which will shorten the game and keep it close.Comment -
The name to remember is T. J. Yeldon, freshman RB. Lacy will get turf toe or pull something again, or may just flat out get beat out by this stud RB out of South Alabama. Expect Christion Jones to be a special teams game breaker as well as deep threat at WR.
Defensive line will effectively eliminate the rush with Austrailian big man Jesse Williams moving to NG. Go really deep at D line spots and have a bunch of LBs that will rotate through. Sunseri is a head hunter in the secondary. Lester and Milliner are a couple of veteran DBs that return.
Kicking specialists are improved and a high school All American is also now in the mix.
I can't give you a Michigan run down, but Denard Robinson better be faster
than Usain Bolt as he claims because he will be running for his life Saturday.Comment -
Hello world, let me introduce you to 'Alabama fan'. Most people don't know about Alabama Fan, but us southerners do. Alabama fan literally believes every single year that their backups are better than their starters.
In Ingram's last year, Richardson was going to be better. Last year, they were saying Eddie Lacy would be better than Richardson and now, here they are, saying Yeldon may beat out the already SEC proven Eddie Lacy without him having ever played a snap of football in college.
They are the one school in American that doesn't suffer from attrition. Nevermind that the last time they lost as much talent as they did this offseason, they lost 3 games in the regular season.
As great of a coach as Nick Saban is, for some reason or another, he doesn't even play his best players. They'll beat Michigan by 100,000 Saturday and not even be playing their best guys.Comment -
Remember when VT's D destroyed Michigan in the Sugar Bowl and held them to 56 yards rushing and then a couple fluke Denard passes won UM the game after VT failed to capitalize on O over and over again. Looking at the same situation except no fluke Denard passes and Bama will capitalize.
14 points still a lot, but this game could get bad.
Don't forget
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Agreed - Boise's going to have issues this season. I give Bama a slight edge in a low scoring game.Comment -
Boise lost their entire front 7 and their best DB in George Iloka, Michigan State runs through them with 240 lb Le'veon Bell and I do believe 2 pre-season all B1G o-lineman. Keep in mind you may sh_t on and preseason all B1G player by lack of speed or anything but take in the fact that this conference produces some of the top interior lineman in the League with schools like Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, Ohio State, Michigan State...
Boise will key on the run with MSU losing Cousins and top two receivers Cunningham and Martin as well as top TE Nichol but MSU will prove to be too overpowering. Also, William Gholston (5 star recruit) is a man child on that D-Line and I can guarantee you Boise's incoming starter is already having nightmares. Dantonio is a defensive genius, see the 2002/3 Ohio State performance against the, at the time, arguably "Best College Team ever fielded" Miami Hurricanes, he also beat an SEC team in a bowl game last season. Which is like finding a diamond in the rough for any B1G school.Comment -
Michigan's offense is going to have a hard time scoring.
If they are to cover, it will be through special teams, turnovers, and busted plays.
Other than that, they have no chance.Comment -
lol....does anyone ever really listen to Z when it comes to college football? He can't see straight for those purple and gold glasses he wears. BUT...he does love Lacey who is a great RB and unfortunately is still having turf toe issues. TJ Yeldon...just wow. And Dee Hart is the fastest of them all, sitting in the 4th string position. Now I am very biased when it comes to Bama football. I will admit it up front. The biggest issue I saw tonight was taking the foot off the gas pedal in the second half and not really finishing the game. That is what happened to the 2010 team. They were still living in the 2009 championship year and didn't finish the games out. Hopefully that won't be an issue this time around.Comment
