Easily the biggest matchup from a loaded Week 2 of SEC football games, two of college football’s biggest brands are set to collide Saturday night in Tuscaloosa as Alabama hosts Texas for a Top 15 matchup. A head-to-head series in which Texas holds a 7-2-1 all-time advantage, Alabama won the previous meeting between the two a year ago in Austin by a final score of 20-19.
Led by head coach Nick Saban, Alabama comes into Saturday ranked as the nation’s No. 3 overall team according to the Week 2 AP Poll, and are sitting at 1-0 on the season. The Crimson Tide are also coming off an impressive Week 1 victory at home in which they defeated Middle Tennessee by a final score of 56-7.
Averaging 56 PPG offensively this season (No. 9 in NCAA), redshirt sophomore Jalen Milroe got the start at quarterback for the Crimson Tide in Week 1, and would certainly impress by accounting for five total touchdowns. The Crimson Tide also have one of the top offensive lines in the SEC to pair with running backs such as Jase McClellan and Roydell Williams, while Alabama had three players catch a touchdown in Week 1 in Isaiah Bond, Jermaine Burton, and Amari Niblack.
Defensively, the Crimson Tide are allowing 7 PPG this season, and were led by freshman safety Caleb Downs in tackles during Week 1 with eight total. Also among the top tacklers for Alabama were the likes of Deontae Lawson, Kendrick Blackshire, and Terrion Arnold, while UAB transfer Jaylen Key also had an interception.
Led by head coach Steve Sarkisian, the Texas Longhorns are ranked as the nation’s No. 11 overall team according to the Week 2 AP Poll, and are also sitting at 1-0 on the year. Similar to Alabama, the Longhorns would also open their 2023 season at home in Week 1, and would defeat Rice by a final score of 37-10.
Averaging 37 PPG offensively, the Longhorns are led by quarterback Quinn Ewers, who accounted for four total touchdowns against Rice in Week 1. Texas’ offensive weapons also include others such as Jonathan Brooks and Jaydon Blue at running back, along with talented pass catchers including Xavier Worthy, Ja’Tavion Sanders, Jordan Whittington, and Georgia transfer AD Mitchell.
The Longhorns are allowing 10 PPG to opponents this season on defense, and were led in tackles by David Gbenda with six a week ago. Also included in the names to know defensively for Texas are the likes of Jaylan Ford, Malik Muhammad, Ethan Burke, and T’vondre Sweat, among others.
Alabama vs. Texas Line, Spread, Over/Under
As of Wednesday afternoon, Alabama is a seven-point favorite over Texas according to FanDuel, with the over/under at 54.5. The Crimson Tide are -295, while Texas is +235.
Alabama vs. Texas SEC Football Prediction
Easily one of the most talented teams that Alabama will face this season, Texas certainly presents a challenge for the Crimson Tide, with this game likely to be close throughout. However, I’ll say the home field advantage for Alabama plays a role, and the Crimson Tide pull away late in the contest to win a classic in Tuscaloosa. Prediction: Alabama 38, Texas 27
What Channel is the Alabama vs. Texas Game On?
No. 3 Alabama will host No. 11 Texas on Saturday, September 9 at 7:00 PM ET on ESPN. The game will be played from Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, AL.
Alabama vs. Texas Live Stream
A live stream of the matchup between Alabama and Texas can be found here on fuboTV.
Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change