Alabama vs. Arkansas State preview, odds, prediction, TV channel, live stream
By Cephas Evans
On Saturday, Arkansas State travels to Tuscaloosa to take on the No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide. Here is everything you need to know before watching Saturday’s game.
The Alabama Crimson Tide’s season started off hot by rolling past the Louisville Cardinals 51-14 in their opener, but the lopsided victory didn’t end without some controversy. After the game, Nick Saban was asked by ESPN’s Maria Taylor about whether Tua Tagovailoa or Jalen Hurts had secured the starting quarterback position, which caused Saban to respond in frustration by stating:
"“Well, I still like both guys, I think both guys are good players. I think both guys can help our team, all right? So why do you continually try to get me to say something that doesn’t respect one of them? I’m not going to. So quit asking.”"
If this response was intended to lay the issue to rest, it obviously backfired on Saban who later apologized for his response. Tagovailoa finished this game with an impressive stat line, going 12-16 for 227 yards and two touchdowns while adding 26 yards and another score on the ground. Hurts, on the other hand, went 5-of-9 for 70 yards, with no touchdowns, while adding only nine yards on the ground.
During Monday’s press conference, Saban apologized for the post-game remarks and finally stated that Tagovailoa will start for the Crimson Tide going forward, but that Hurts skill-set would still be used in specific situations.
The Arkansas State Red Wolves will be looking to pull off an unlikely upset, after cruising to a 48-21 victory over SE Missouri State in Week 1. Quarterback Justice Hansen was impressive in the opener, throwing for 423 yards and six touchdowns, but it will all that and more to knock off the Crimson Tide on Saturday.
How to watch and bet on Alabama vs. Arkansas State
Date: Saturday, Sept. 8
Start Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Stadium: Bryant-Denny Stadium
TV Info: ESPN2
Live Stream: WatchESPN, FuboTV
Radio: Tide1029
Keys to Victory
Alabama – Not much to be said here… Alabama simple needs to continue taking care of the football and play sound defense, which shouldn’t be an issue for the Crimson Tide this Saturday. Saban will look to continue putting together a balanced offensive attack, led by Tagovailoa and running back Damien Harris while playing the shut-down defense Alabama has been known for over the past decade.
Arkansas State – If Arkansas State plans to walk away with an upset victory this Saturday, it will take a near perfect game. Quarterback Justice Hansen will have to follow-up his Week 1 performance with similar numbers, but they will also need a big game from running-back Marcel Murray and the Red Wolves offensive line to control the clock. Defensively, the Red Wolves front seven will need to slow down the powerful Alabama ground attack, while not allowing Tagovailoa to set up a big play over the top. Arkansas State will have their hands full, but if they put it all together fans could possibly be in for a tight game.
Betting Odds
Points Spread: Alabama +36.5
Money Line: Bama -20000, ARST +1800
O/U: 64
Prediction
Don’t expect anything outside of a huge Alabama victory this Saturday. Even with a perfect performance by the Red Wolves, it won’t be enough to topple the Crimson Tide.
Final Score – Alabama 54, Arkansas State 6