Kent State Golden Flashes at No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide
Saturday, 9/3/11, 12:20 PM EST, TV: ESPN 3
Opening Point Spread: Alabama -33.5
Current Betting Line: Alabama -38
Opening Total: 44.5
Current Total: 47
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
Kent State will open its 2011 season in dangerous territory in taking on the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Golden Flashes haven’t tallied a winning season since 2001 and fans are starting to get anxious. “Team unity is our top priority,” head coach Darrell Hazell has preached heading into his first season. “We need to be completely positive.” He has some offensive weapons returning, including junior quarterback Spencer Keith, who is among the school’s career leaders in completion percentage and yards. Kent State is 12-11 ATS as an underdog the last two years.
The Golden Flashes will definitely look to get the ball into the hands of talented wide receiver Tyshon Goode and running back Jacquise Terry. Goode ranks sixth in school history with 112 receptions and Terry has ran for 1,361 yards. At the time of this writing, the talented Kent State runner is probable due to a shoulder injury suffered in fall practice. On the other side of the ball, the program has had one of the top ranked defenses in the country the last two years.
Alabama can virtually name the score in this contest and it’s important to note that head coach Nick Sabam is an alum of the opponent. The Crimson Tide return 19 starters and 51 lettermen from its 2010 team that finished the year 10-3. “Finishing is a big thing for this team,” Saban commented. “I don’t think we finished well last year.” The team dropped contests against SEC rivals South Carolina, LSU and Auburn in 2010. A wealth of talent is at his disposal with a total of 16 players listed on the Preseason All-SEC team. Alabama is 8-1 ATS in non-conference action.
The Crimson Tide finished third in the SEC and 22nd in the country with an average of 444.1 yards in total offense during the 2010 campaign and many expect the program to pound the rock this year. Running back Trent Richardson averaged 6.3 yards per carry a season ago and is one of the most imposing figures in college football. Defensively, the team prides itself on creating turnovers, causing opponents to make 26 miscues a season ago and finishing with a plus-12 turnover ratio. Under Saban’s direction, Alabama is 40-8 when the team gains at least a single turnover.
Bettors will be interested in knowing that the Crimson Tide are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 home games, while the Golden Flashes are 1-4 ATS as a road underdog.
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