2008 Alabama Crimson Tide Betting Odds and Schedule

The Alabama Crimson Tide college football team is returning with 13 starters that finished the regular season 7-6 overall which included a 30-24 win over Colorado in the Independence Bowl as 3.5 point favorites in college football betting odds. This will be Nick Saban’s second season as head coach for Alabama and has most of his top talent on the field again so it won’t be long before he has them in the hunt for a National Championship.

Last year, Alabama went 3-8-1 against the spread in college football betting odds and 6-6 in over/unders. The Crimson Tide averaged 221.9 passing yards and 150.7 rushing yards per game while allowing opponents 212.9 passing and 128.3 rushing yards per game. College football betting odds to win the 2008-2009 BCS National Championship at sportsbooks have Alabama +5000 and +650 to win the SEC conference. NCAA football betting odds for Alabama regular season wins at SBG Global sportsbook have the Crimson Tide at 7.5, -130 over and even money on the under. Vegas odds to win the 2009 BCS National Game have the Alabama Crimson Tide at 50/1.

2008 Alabama Crimson Tide Offense

College football betting oddsmakers will take notice that the Alabama offensive will have 7 returning starters which will be a much improved squad from last year, so expect low opening odds. At the quarterback position, senior John Parker Wilson will try to better his 2,846 passing yards with 18 touchdowns from last season. Wilson might have a difficult time repeating last year’s numbers since losing his top 3 receivers last year but is hopeful with junior Mike McCoy and senior Nikita Stover filling the vacant spots. A new face to the receiving core will be freshman Julio Jones from Foley High School who tallied a career total of 194 receptions for 3,287 yards and 43 touchdowns. The Crimson Tide offense line returns 4 starters including junior left tackle Andre Smith and senior Antoine Caldwell. The right tackle positions will be filled by freshman Tyler Love which could cause trouble on the outside.

2008 Alabama Crimson Tide Defense

The 2008 Alabama defense will have 6 returning starters including junior defensive end Brandon Deaderick at and junior defensive tackle Lorenzo Washington with senior Bobby Greenwood taking over at defensive end for the loss of All-SEC DE Wallace Gilberry. The linebacker crew will feature the 3-4 with sophomores Jerrell Harrison and Rolando McCain. The secondary will have two of the best players in the SEC returning in senior free safety Rashad Johnson and sophomore corner Kareem Jackson. The other two backfield spots will be played by junior corner Javier Arenas with junior safety Justin Woodall.

2008 Alabama Crimson Tide Prediction

The Crimson Tide had a team that didn’t do too well against the college football betting odds last year but don’t except the same this year with Saban’s recruiting class. Alabama is bringing back 13 starters and is still one of the powerhouses in the SEC conference with few teams like Auburn, Tennessee and Georgia standing in their way.

2008 Alabama Crimson Tide Schedule