Utah State vs. Alabama College Football Week 1 Odds and Predictions

At the onset of the 2022 season, the Alabama Crimson Tide is in a familiar place.  Head coach Nick Saban’s team is ranked number one in the country.  And Alabama is the betting favorite to win their seventh national championship in the Saban era.  The Crimson Tide opens the NCAAF bets season against the Utah State Aggies on Saturday.  The Aggies are coming off one of the greatest seasons in program history.  Utah State is one of the best teams in the Mountain West Conference.  But they are not Alabama.  Alabama is a heavy wagering favorite against the Aggies.

Utah State vs. Alabama CashBet Wagering Analysis

On this occasion, Alabama opens its season as a large Best sportsbook online favorite.  The Crimson Tide is the biggest brand in college football gambling.  As a result, gamblers often overpay for Alabama.

Utah State is a Resurgent Program  

Last year Blake Anderson took over as Utah State head coach.  He arrived from Arkansas State, where he was highly successful.  But Anderson was suffering through the pain of losing his wife to cancer.  At the beginning, the Utah State players were angry that Anderson was hired.  They preferred an assistant.  But Anderson won them over and led them to an 11-3 season.  And a final national ranking of 24^th.  Utah State is expected to contend for the Mountain West Conference title.

Last week the Utah State Aggies won but didn’t cover 31-20 over the Connecticut Huskies.  Utah State was a 24-point betting on College Football favorite.  Also, the game went under a total of 59.  It was the season opener for both teams.

Namely, Logan Bonner threw three touchdown passes.  At the same time, Calvin Tyler Jr. added 161 yards rushing for the Aggies.  Trailing 14-7 late in the second quarter, Utah State scored 17 points in the final 3:42.  Thus, they took a 24-14 halftime lead.  First, Robert Briggs scored on a 23-yard run.  Next, Bonner connected with Justin McGriff for a 14-yard score.  Finally, Connor Coles hit a 45-yard field goal.

Noe Ruelas kicked field goals of 47 and 54 yards to draw UConn within 24-20 early in the fourth quarter.  But Bonner led a 75-yard scoring drive.  It climaxed with his 11-yard TD pass to Brian Cobbs.  Following that was a diving interception by Ike Larsen on UConn’s next possession to help seal the win.

Connecticut was playing its first game under coach Jim Mora.  Last season the Huskies went 1-11.  UConn took a 14-0 lead midway through the first quarter.  Nathan Carter rushed for 110 yards on six carries in the period.  But his fumble in the second quarter led to Utah State’s first touchdown.  Carter finished the half with nine carries for 130 yards.  In sum, he totaled 20 for 190 for the game.

In sum, Bonner finished 20-of-29 passing for 281 yards.  Tyler’s 161 yards came on 33 carries for Utah State.

Gamblers Expect Tide to Roll  

Alabama opens the season with a loaded team and a mission to atone for losing the national championship game to Georgia.  Quarterback Bryce Young returns as a leading Heisman trophy candidate after hoisting the trophy last December.  Young leads an offense that is one of the most prolific in college football history.

Alabama returns arguably the top two players in college football in Young, and linebacker Will Anderson Jr. Anderson took home an armful of defensive awards and finished fifth in Heisman Trophy voting.  They are the rock stars and leaders of the nation’s best bet on NCAAF team.

Utah State vs. Alabama CashBet Free Pick   

In this situation, Utah State has the Betting on NCAAF advantage of having played a game last week.  The Aggies are a good program and a great contrarian play against the public.

Utah State vs. Alabama CashBet Best Bet

Utah State Aggies