Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders vs No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide preview, predictions, betting odds and live stream info

Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders vs. No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide

Last week, the Alabama Crimson Tide put on one of the most impressive performances in the first week of the season as they ran all over the Wisconsin Badgers. This week, they look to put together another high-octane performance when they play host to the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders in their first home game of the season.

Running back Derrick Henry will look to put together another highlight reel performance for the Crimson Tide. Meanwhile for the Blue Raiders, a McCarron will be playing for them and not Alabama as Corey McCarron lines up at fullback. His brother A.J. McCarron of course was the National Championship winning quarterback for the Crimson Tide.

Details for Saturday’s game are below.

Date: Saturday, September 12, 2015
Start Time: 4:00 p.m. ET
Location: Tuscaloosa, AL
Stadium: Bryant-Denny Stadium
TV Info: SEC Network
Live Stream: SECSportsGo
Radio: WFFN 95.3 Tuscaloosa/ESPN Nashville 102.5
Ticket Information: For Alabama Ticket Information click here. For Middle Tennessee ticket info click here.

Keys to Victory

For Alabama, this should be one of the easiest games on their schedule as they tune up before next week’s game against No. 17 Ole Miss. After Alabama’s defense struggled on third down last week against Wisconsin, this will be a great week for them to build some confidence and get after the Middle Tennessee offense.

Offensively, the Crimson Tide should look to end the game and not mess around against the Blue Raiders. Feed Derrick Henry the ball and let him run wild and put up a few scores on the board in the first half. Jake Coker showed last week that he can manage the game well and that he is a smart quarterback. If he can make his reads and find the right progressions, he will put the Crimson Tide in plenty of position to put up points early and often.

For Middle Tennessee, they have to test the new members of the Alabama secondary, but at the same time be careful of the range that the Alabama secondary has. They can’t afford to just air it out as that will take the offense off the field quick and send the punting unit right out.

They aren’t going to be able to challenge the Alabama defensive line, so their best bet is to make the smart play and methodically work their way down the field instead of looking for the big play. It’s going to be an uphill climb to begin with so if they can slow the game way down, they have a shot at keeping it within distance. If they have to punt a lot, they will lose by a lot.

Betting Odds

Point Spread: Alabama -34.5

Moneyline: 0

O/U: 56

Prediction

J.K. Scott struggled punting the ball last week against Wisconsin, but he won’t have to worry about punting much this week against Middle Tennesee. While the Blue Raiders blew out Jackson State last week, they are playing an Alabama team that could potentially win a championship this season.

Coker looks great at quarterback and Derrick Henry is an absolute machine of a man running the football. Alabama will feed him for the entire first half until he puts the game out of reach and they have a five touchdown lead at the half over the Blue Raiders.

In fact, as Alabama aims to show the country just how good they are, they will post a shut out defensively and make a statement before their big SEC showdown with Ole Miss next week. They are out for revenge against the rebels and they want to show them what’s coming.

Alabama’s secondary will make big plays and pick off the Blue Raiders quarterback Brent Stockstill on multiple occasions as they get tested deep. The fans will be loving it and so will future NFL Draft highlight reels.

Final Score: No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide 63, Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders 0