Alabama and USF enter Week 2 undefeated, but only one will stay perfect. Will the showdown between SEC power and AAC up-and-comer stay respectable?
Check out the latest betting odds, DFS picks, and our final prediction for Alabama vs. USF ahead of Saturday’s matchup.
Alabama vs. USF Betting Preview
All Alabama vs. USF odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Saturday, Sept. 7.
- Spread
Alabama -31 - Moneyline
Alabama -9000; USF +2500 - Over/Under
64.5 points - Game time
7:00 p.m. ET - Location
Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Ala. - Predicted Weather at Kick
77 degrees, 7 mph winds, chance of showers - How to Watch
ESPN
The oddsmakers expect a one-sided affair in Tuscaloosa, so much so that the moneyline isn’t available on most sites. Alabama is 5-0 against the spread (ATS) in its last five home games, while USF is 8-2 ATS in its last 10 games as underdogs.
MORE: CFN Betting Parlay Calculator
These two teams faced off last year, and the Bulls pushed the Crimson Tide to a closer-than-expected 17-3 victory. Will we see a similar result in 2024? Of course, that game was the infamous benching of Jalen Milroe at quarterback from the Crimson Tide during a sloppy, wet afternoon.
Prediction for Alabama vs. USF
USF dominated Bethune-Cookman in Week 1, earning its first win of the season with a 48-3 blowout, narrowly covering the 43-point spread. QB Byrum Brown completed 13 of 20 passes for 152 yards, while RB Kelley Joiner led the ground game with 14 carries for 78 yards and two of the Bulls’ five rushing touchdowns.
Even in Alex Golesh’s high-powered offense, Brown and Co. may struggle to produce in Week 2. If anything, fade the ground game, as USF will likely find itself in a hole early and need to throw itself out. Thus, Brown and the WRs are the play if you want some Bulls in your lineup, with the sure-handed Sean Atkins leading the way.
MORE: Simulate the College Football Season with CFN’s College Football Playoff Predictor
Alabama kicked off the season with a 63-0 blowout over Western Kentucky, easily covering the 34-point spread. QB Jalen Milroe was nearly flawless, going 7-of-9 for 200 yards and three touchdowns while adding 79 yards and two rushing scores on 10 carries.
But Week 2 is a step up in competition if last season was any indicator for us.
USF went 1-11 in 2022 and hired Alex Golesh to right the ship. He did more than that, leading the Bulls to their best season since 2018 (7-6). At AAC Media Days this summer, Golesh was asked about having to play Alabama (Week 2) and Miami (FL) (Week 4) this season, to which he responded, “Bama and Miami have to play South Florida.”
While referencing the Bulls’ road trip to Tuscaloosa this week, Golesh set the tone: “They came to our place. We had every opportunity to go be successful in that game. We couldn’t finish it. Now we get to go redeem ourselves.”
In 2023, Golesh’s GO-GO-GO offense led the nation in plays per game (82.1) and produced the 17th most total yards per game (451.6). But he isn’t the only offensive mind featured in this contest, as Alabama HC Kalen DeBoer led Washington to the national championship by averaging the 13th most points per game (36.0) and yards per game (462.1).
Although USF should score more than the 3 points they put up last year, the Crimson Tide are a top-five team in the nation and will challenge for the national championship in 2024. The talent discrepancy, specifically on defense, could see Alabama insert their backups in the second half and coast to their second straight win.
Prediction: Alabama 55, USF 17
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