Alabama vs Western Kentucky Odds, Lines & Predictions (Sat. Aug 31)
By Zach Reger in College Football
Published:
- #5 Alabama opens thier season with Western Kentucky Saturday night
- The Crimson Tide are big 31.5-point favorites over the Hilltoppers
- Read below for the latest Alabama vs Western Kentucky odds, picks, and predictions
The post-Nick Saban era for Alabama kicks off Saturday at 7:00 pm ET against Western Kentucky. Kalen DeBoer takes over after taking Washington to the National Championship last season. Even with the departure of Saban, Alabama is ranked the #5 team in the country and returns multiple impact starters on both sides of the ball.
Alabama is 3-0 all-time vs Western Kentucky with their last matchup being in 2016. Alabama has won those three games handily with scores of 41-7, 35-0, and 38-10.
Western Kentucky vs Alabama Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Kentucky Hilltoppers | +31.5 (-108) | +3000 | Over 59.5 (-110) |
| Alabama Crimson Tide | -31.5 (-112) | -10000 | Under 59.5 (-110) |
The college football odds have Alabama as a heavy favorite on Saturday. The spread has not moved away from 31.5 since opening over the summer. The O/U has moved slightly. It opened at 60.5 but is now 59.5 as we approach kickoff.
Odds as of August 30 at DraftKings. Lock in the best DraftKings promos for college football Week 1.
Alabama Betting Trends
It will feel different in Tuscaloosa without Nick Saban on the sideline, but Alabama hired a great coach in Kalen DaBoer. DaBoer has seen success everywhere he has coached and has an all-time record of 104-12. The SEC is a different beast, but he is used to a challenge and excels in one-score games. He is an impressive 24-6 in one-score games as a head coach.
The coach himself was a great hire, but what has been more impressive is the amount of talent that stayed in Tuscaloosa despite Saban leaving. Alabama was not immune to the transfer portal and did lose some talent, but they kept quarterback Jalen Milroe and multiple starters in the front seven.
52 yard completion from Jalen Milroe to Germie Bernard pic.twitter.com/Skw34LNlNZ
— Bama FB on Youtube | 106K Subs (@BamaYoutube) April 13, 2024
DaBoer is great in the run game, so there is some excitement with Justice Hayes in the backfield and Jalen Milroe’s athleticism. The defense is inexperienced in the secondary, especially with Caleb Downs transferring to Ohio State, but their front seven is a strong unit heading into 2024.
Western Kentucky Betting Trends
Western Kentucky went 8-5 last season and is a consistent 8 or 9-win program in Conference USA, and this year should be no different. The Hilltoppers went 6-5 against the spread in 2023.
The Hilltoppers love to throw the ball, and with former Auburn and LSU quarterback TJ Finley under center this season, the offense should be able to put up points through the air again this year. 14 starters return to Western Kentucky in 2024, and nine of them are on offense.
Western Kentucky’s defense struggled against the run last season, and now they have a lot of new faces from the transfer portal on that side of the ball. The Hilltoppers can score, but can they stop opponents from scoring? That will be the big question for them heading into this season.
Alabama vs Western Kentucky Predictions
Even with the changes for Alabama, this is still a Crimson Tide team eyeing the College Football Playoff. Jalen Milroe is tied for the fourth-best Heisman odds, and Alabama will lean on him to have a productive season both through the air and on the ground. There may be some growing pains for the new offense, but given Western Kentucky’s rush defense, Alabama should not have a problem establishing the run.
The Crimson Tide’s defense is great, but their secondary is vulnerable to a passing attack like Western Kentucky’s. Alabama should have no problem winning this game, but 31.5 is a little too high of a spread for me to feel comfortable, so I am looking at the total in this one. Alabama will get their points against Western Kentucky’s defense, and the Hilltoppers will complete a long bomb or two to get on the board. I love the over in this matchup.
Alabama vs WKU Pick: Over 59.5 (-110)
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Zach has been involved in the sports betting industry for three years. After starting to bet on sports in college, Zach was interested in how it can make any game interesting. The trends, line movement, and finding unique angles to predict the outcomes of games captivated Zach to get more involved.
