San Jose State at Alabama
Written by Steve Janus - Google +
The Alabama Crimson Tide will begin their defense of the 2009 BCS Championship this Saturday, as they kick off the 2010 season at home against the San Jose State Sparts. This will be the first meeting between the two schools, and there is no question that the Crimson Tide will cruise to a victory in this one.
Alabama was a perfect 14-0 on their way to the title last year, but defending will not be easy, as they have just 10 starters back from their championship team, and only two starters from what many considered the best defense in the country. Even with hardly anyone back the Crimson Tide open the 2010 season ranked No.1 in a number of polls, as the talent just waiting to get on the field is better than most teams’ starters.
San Jose State went 2-10 in 2009, their worst finish in the last five years. The Spartans will be making a coaching change this season, as Mike MacIntyre takes over for the retired Dick Tomey. MacIntyre will welcome back 15 starters, but preparing his team to go up against the likes of Alabama is no easy task. I think the Spartans will be satisfied if they can just hang with the Crimson Tide for a quarter or two.
If you are looking to make a wager on the game this weekend, Sports Interaction has the Crimson Tide favored by 37.5 points over the Sparts with the total currently sitting at 51.5 points.
Alabama will be without 2009 Heiman winner Mark Ingram for this game, but that really shouldn’t put any sort of hault to the Crimson Tides offense, as sophomore Trent Richardson figures to step in and shine in the starting role. I also would like to see the Crimson Tide get junior wide receiving Julio Jones more involed this season, as I feel like it would really open up the offense. Even though the defense has just two starters back, don’t expect the Spartans to do much of anything when they have the ball, as the 9 new starters will quickly form one of the best defenses in the country.
For the Spartans they just have to hope that the Crimson Tide completely over look them and have their eyes on Penn State next weekend. The problem is I just don’t see how they are going to stop Alabama’s offense or do anythihng against their defense, even if the Crimson Tide don’t come in with the full energy and focus. The best part about this game for the Spartans will be when the Crimson Tide take their starters out in the second half.
Looking at the Odds: While I have no doubt in my mind that the Crimson Tide when this game by at least 28 points, covering the spread of 37.5 is a whole different story, but if I were betting on this game I would lay the points and count on Alabama just murdering their opponent. The only thing that concerns me with this big of spread is the the Spartans covering the spread late when the Crimson Tide put their second and third string units on the field.
Got something to say?