Week 4 Opening Line Report
By Bill McBride
Through three weeks, Alabama coach Nick Saban and his Crimson Tide have clearly lived up to billing. The defense has been stifling, the offense has been adequate and Saban has been able to keep players fresh by displaying that dynamic depth chart he’s compiled.
But let’s face it, Kent State and North Texas at home are walks in the park for a team like Alabama. And anyone who saw Penn State barely escape Temple on Saturday should realize that the Crimson Tide’s 27-11 win in Happy Valley last week doesn’t look so impressive, after all.
Things are about to change, though. The SEC schedule opens this week, and Alabama plays host to Arkansas.
“Obviously, Arkansas has a very good team, so we’re going to have to execute a lot better,” Saban said. “But your effort, your mental and physical toughness, all those things should be at the same level all the time if you’re playing the way you’re supposed to play.”
And it’s that kind of thinking that has the pros in Las Vegas still leaning heavily on Alabama. Sure, Arkansas is a tough, talented, conference foe. But it looks like Saban has the makings of something special, and the lines are proof positive.
“Well, it’s a marquee SEC matchup, and it’s the beginning of a lot of them for Alabama,” Pete Korner, of Esportclub, LLC, told Covers.com. “But they’re really looking good so far. They should win here easily. Arkansas is OK, but I give it no chance of an upset.”
Korner established Alabama as a 13-point favorite.
“I think we have,” Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino said, “a lot to work on to get ready for Alabama.”
Korner concurs. And with that, let’s take a look at some of next week’s other marquee games:
N.C. State (+4) at Cincinnati
“Not much of a game on a Thursday night here,” Korner said. “We had some discussion on this one, as we don’t really have a good feel for either team right now. Cincinnati’s at home, though, and may have something to show.”
Florida State (-3.5) at Clemson
“Disappointed in how Florida State finished against Oklahoma. We were hoping they were going to stay close,” Korner said. “But we expect them to do what they need to do this week to get back. We’re expecting them to have a bounce back, though that’s always tough to do in the ACC on the road.”
Notre Dame (-2.5) at Pitt
“Not big fans of Pitt right now. Not much to say there,” Korner said. “Notre Dame has been moving the ball well, and I just think they’re going to roll right over Pitt, to tell you the truth.”
LSU (-4) at West Virginia
“We had LSU favored all of the way. Good game, good matchup, but clearly, we know they’re the better team, and they should take care of business here,” Korner said. “We feel the number is pretty fair, as West Virginia can definitely win. We just don’t expect it.”
Colorado (+15.5) at Ohio State
“Tough task for Colorado, though neither team has shown much yet,” Korner said. “But Colorado doesn’t travel well, never has, and we expect Ohio State to get back up and really get ready for Big Ten play.”
Oklahoma State (+3) at Texas A&M
“In this one, we’re expecting a close, conference game between two very equal teams,” Korner said. “We left it at the three, and that’s just the basic, home-field field goal, nothing more.”
Missouri (+20) at Oklahoma
“We knew we needed a big number here,” Korner said. “No reason to make a deal with Oklahoma here. Just stick it up as high as you can, and see what the public does with it.”
Tulsa (+32) at Boise State
“A similar one here, as we definitely needed to go high,” Korner said. “Especially with Tulsa having some injury problems. I’d hate to be rooting for Tulsa. So, we stick it high, root for Boise, and see what happens.”
Oregon (-14) at Arizona
“Not much of a game, as we really feel that Oregon has turned a corner,” Korner said. “They’ve had a few games where they could get back playing like they play, and they’re really in a groove right now. Arizona did not look good against Stanford, and Oregon’s better.”