WKU vs Alabama Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Alabama Crimson Tide

Recent betting trends in games played between Western Kentucky and Alabama

A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for Western Kentucky vs Alabama game

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Betting Preview

The Hilltoppers had some successes in 2023, ultimately going 8-5 overall with a 5-3 run in Conference USA matchups. Western Kentucky ended up behind Liberty, New Mexico State and Jacksonville State in the standings, but earned a berth in the Famous Toastery Bowl. WKU beat Old Dominion 38-35 in OT during that final matchup.

Tyson Helton steps to the sideline for his sixth season with Western Kentucky. He’ll lose out on WR Malachi Corley and QB Austin Reed this year but still retains some high-level talent. WR Dalvin Smith and CBs Ahtony Johnson and Upton Stout will provide some experience and leadership this year.

Alabama Crimson Tide Betting Preview

Over on the Alabama side, it’s tough to be disappointed with a 12-2 overall finish and a flawless 8-0 run in SEC games—not to mention a victory over Georgia 27-24 in the conference championship. Alabama did suffer a tough loss in their final game, however, falling 27-20 in the Rose Bowl to eventual national champion Michigan.

With head coach Nick Saban gone from the sideline for the first time in 17 years, it’ll be interesting to see how new head coach Kalen DeBoer and his new coordinators perform. Alabama’s most pressing need this year is the running game. The team averaged 4.3 yards per carry last season.

Why the Alabama Crimson Tide will win

• Alabama has won each of its last 10 games against non-AP-ranked teams.
• Western Kentucky has lost four of its last five road games against opponents from the Southeastern Conference.
• Alabama has covered the spread in eight of its last nine season openers as a favorite.
• Western Kentucky has failed to cover the spread in six of its last seven road games against opponents from the Southeastern Conference.

Why the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers will win

• Western Kentucky has won each of its last three games.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Alabama's last five games as a favorite have gone OVER the total points line.
• Each of Western Kentucky's last three road openers as an underdog have gone OVER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

• Alabama was one of only 10 FBS teams to remain undefeated in road games last season (5-0) (min. 8 games).
• Alabama ranked T11th among FBS teams for H2 points allowed per game last season (8.1).
• Western Kentucky was one of only 19 FBS teams to win 2+ games when trailing after Q3 last season.
• Western Kentucky ranked T19th among FBS teams for H1 points per game last season (17.9).

Western Kentucky vs Alabama Prediction

I’m going to stay with Alabama here. The Tide do have a few things to prove in their first handful of games, not the least of which being an effective running game. It’s probably not a hot take to think that Alabama will take a step back this season. It’s probably not a hot take to think they’re capable of double-digit wins either. There are some tough games on the schedule this season, including Auburn, Georgia, LSU, Tennessee, Oklahoma and Wisconsin. If the Tide can perform well in those, great things should happen again in 2024.

Defensively Alabama should be pretty solid, but there are some looming questions about the quality of their pass rush. As for the secondary, they lost some talent in the offseason and will have to step up as well. This is a good matchup for the Tide to get their 2024 feet wet, and I think they’ll bag a cover.