The Arkansas State Red Wolves are being paid by the Alabama Crimson Tide $1.7 million to come and play them at Tuscaloosa this weekend. In other words, the Red Wolves are one of the most expensive punching bags in the world. That said, Arkansas State will do everything in its power to upset Alabama – or at least the spread. Read on for a preview of this intriguing David vs. Goliath matchup this coming Saturday.
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Betting Preview for the Arkansas State Red Wolves vs Alabama Crimson Tide Week 2 College Football Game on Sep 8 2018
Where: Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa
When: Saturday, September 8, 2018, 3:30 PM ET
Line: Arkansas State Red Wolves (+36.5) vs Alabama Crimson Tide (-36.5) – view all 2018 NCAAF lines
TV Broadcast: ABC
Betting on the Arkansas State Red Wolves (+36.5 / 1-0 Record)
The Red Wolves feasted on the poor defense of FCS team Southeast Missouri last week on their way to 48-21 victory. Again, that’s an FCS team Arkansas State beat, so it’s not exactly smart to expect that the Red Wolves will play as good against Alabama this coming weekend. Still, Arkansas State showed in that game that it has capable weapons which can put a dent on the Crimson Tide’ armor, including quarterback Justice Hansen. Hansen let it fly against Southeast Missouri, as he passed for 423 yards with six touchdowns and an interception on 26-of-36 pass completions. With plenty of talented receivers downfield, expect Hansen to fearlessly throw the ball again, though, that also leaves tons of pressure on the Red Wolves’ offensive line.
Although the Red Wolves are going to wade into Tuscaloosa like a bloody piece of meat thrown in a pool of sharks, bettors should take note that Arkansas State has covered the spread in each of the four times in which it was an underdog by 30 points or more.
Betting on the Alabama Crimson Tide (-36.5 / 1-0 Record)
Alabama can’t afford to be overconfident in any game this season, but even if the team does in this game, the Crimson Tide are very much likely going to get an easy win. Coming off a 51-14 demolition job of a win over the Louisville Cardinals in Week 1, the Crimson Tide heads to Tuscaloosa for their first game there this season. They are 19-0 SU in their last 19 games as the home team.
Tua Tagovailoa paced the Crimson Tide with 227 passing yards and two touchdowns in only 16 passes. Jalen Hurts also made an appearance in the Cardinals game and went 5-of-9 for 70 yards. Both quarterbacks are going to play and have their turns in punishing Arkansas State’s defense that is bound to have a long day this weekend. If it’s not the quarterbacks and Alabama’s passing attack, the team’s backfield will be the one pummeling the Red Wolves’ stop unit. Damien Harris led ‘Bama with 55 rushing yards on seven carries, while Josh Jacobs had 45 rushing yards and a touchdown on six carries.
As for stopping Arkansas State’s offense, that shouldn’t be much of a problem for Alabama, which allowed just 268 total yards to Louisville.
Writer’s Prediction
Alabama annihilates Arkansas State, 58-13.
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