Alabama vs. South Florida Prediction
Number 10 Alabama heads to Tampa to face unranked South Florida at 3:30 PM ET on Saturday on ABC. Can the Crimson Tide cover the hefty 33-point spread as road favorites this weekend?
Alabama is 1-1 straight up this season and 1-1 against the spread. Their only win came against Middle Tennessee.
South Florida is 1-1 straight up this season and 0-2 against the spread. Their only win came against Florida A&M.
Game Matchup & Betting Odds
145 Alabama Crimson Tide (-33) at 146 South Florida Bulls (+33); O/U 61
3:30 PM ET, Saturday, September 16, 2023
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
Alabama vs. South Florida Public Betting Information
As of this writing, the public is heavily favoring the Crimson Tide in this game. Our CFB Public Betting page shows that 95% of public bets are on Alabama -33. Note that these numbers are subject to change and could be different once game time rolls around.
Alabama Crimson Tide Game Notes
Alabama wide receiver Jermaine Burton was one of the Crimson Tide’s best offensive players in their 34-24 home loss to Texas this past Saturday night. The transfer from Georgia caught 2 passes for 58 yards and a touchdown. His highlight came when he caught a 49-yard bomb for a touchdown to momentarily give Alabama the lead at the end of the third quarter. Burton could be in for a big day on Saturday.
On defense, Alabama defensive back Terrion Arnold had a standout day against Texas. The 6’0” 196-pound sophomore from Tallahassee, Florida recorded 4 total tackles, a tackle for loss, and a pass defensed against the Longhorns on Saturday. Arnold and the Alabama secondary should have a much easier time with South Florida’s receivers this weekend than they had with Texas’ wideouts this past Saturday.
South Florida Bulls Game Notes
South Florida quarterback Gerry Bohanon injured his right shoulder during a game in October of last year, and it was serious enough that it required surgery. The injury occurred to Bohanon’s throwing shoulder, and he’s still working his way back from it this season. The former Baylor QB has thrown for 3,464 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions throughout his career, and should eventually rejoin USF at some point this year to finish out his senior season.
In Bohanon’s stead, South Florida has been trotting out true freshman Byrum Brown at QB1. Brown has had a rough go of it this season as he’s only completed 51.5% of his passes and has posted a TD-INT ratio of 4-2 and a QBR of 48.5. It’s tough sledding against any Power 5 team, but Brown might be overmatched against Alabama’s defense on Saturday.
Alabama vs. South Florida Betting Trends
South Florida is 4-6 ATS in their last 10 games.
The over is 6-4 in Alabama’s last 10 games.
Alabama is 4-3 ATS against nonconference opponents in their last 7 games.
Alabama vs. South Florida Betting Prediction
Alabama head coach Nick Saban is still one of the best coaches in college football. He will have his team’s full and undivided attention after their home loss to Texas on Saturday. The main problem last weekend was Jalen Milroe’s inconsistent quarterback play and the 2 interceptions he threw. Alabama likely won’t have to try to throw very much to win this game. South Florida’s defense ranks 119th in opponent yards per rushing attempt this season, and the two teams they’ve played are Western Kentucky and Florida A&M. And if you consider two games too small of a sample size, consider this: South Florida ranked dead last in the FBS in opponent yards per rushing attempt (6.4) last season. With big point spreads, you typically worry that the team with the lead will simply stop passing and consequently stop scoring. Alabama could run the ball until the end of the game and still win this game in decisive fashion. I’m taking the Crimson Tide as a bounce-back play this weekend.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK 3 PREDICTION: ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE -33