NCAA Football Picks: Alabama vs Arkansas odds, preview, and prediction

Quinn Allen
By , Updated on: Sep 29, 2022 08:00 PM
NCAA Football Picks: Alabama vs Arkansas odds, preview, and prediction
  • What: Alabama vs Arkansas
  • When: Saturday, October 1st at Razorback Stadium, 3:30 PM ET kick-off
  • How to watch: CBS

One of the biggest games of the Online college football betting weekend will see the No. 2 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide travel to Fayatteville to face the No. 20 Arkansas Razorbacks in SEC action. The kick-off is scheduled for 3:30 PM ET. The Tide are unbeaten and look like one of the clear-cut favorites to win a national title. They're coming off a 55-3 shellacking of Vanderbilt last weekend. Meanwhile, Arkansas lost their first conference game of the season to Texas A&M, 23-21 at AT&T Stadium. Keep reading for the Alabama vs Arkansas prediction.

Before we get into the betting preview, lines, and predictions, make sure to check out our reviews of the top online sportsbooks.

Alabama vs Arkansas Odds

BetOnlineSpreadMoneylineTotal
Alabama-17.5 (+100)-750Ov 61 (-110)
Arkansas+17.5 (-120)+550Un 61 (-110)

The Crimson Tide is heavily favored here at a -750 moneyline and 17.5 on the spread. That's not exactly surprising given their impressive history versus the Hogs. Bama has won 14 in a row against them dating back to 2008. However, last season's meeting was relatively close, with Nick Saban's group winning 42-35 in a high-scoring affair.

Alabama vs Arkansas Prediction

Bama has looked absolutely electric early on, proving why they're one of the frontrunners in the 2022-23 NCAA Football National Championship futures. Reigning Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young is already making his case to repeat, throwing for 1,029 yards in four contests and 13 touchdowns. He's completed 68% of his passes and has also done damage on the ground, rushing for an average of 9.4 yards per carry. Young picked apart the Vanderbilt defense last weekend, completing 25 of 36 passes for a whopping 385 yards and four TD's. Wideout Ja'Corey Brooks led the charge with six receptions and two scores. Five other WRs had at least three catches in the victory. To be honest, the Tide have only been tested once so far when Texas took them to the absolute brink a few weeks ago. Other than that, it's been smooth sailing. They rank sixth in the nation with 48.3 points per contest and the defense, led by projected number one overall NFL draft pick Will Anderson, is top-10 in college football as well in total yards allowed. Anderson is already destroying opponents this season and he'll be hungry to do so again, with Arkansas QB KJ Jefferson his primary target. Anderson already has 4.5 sacks. Also, Nick Saban is 15-0 vs. the Hogs in his career. That's certainly a good sign for the Alabama vs Arkansas prediction.

The Razorbacks gave Bama a run for their money a year ago, but Jefferson had a top-tier receiver in Treylon Burks wreaking havoc downfield. He's now gone to the NFL. But, Jadon Haselwood and Matt Landers are capable, leading the WR room so far with impressive numbers. Although the Tide is extremely strong against the pass and the run, Arkansas will look to try and hurt them in both ways. Jefferson is a legitimate threat with his legs while running back Raheim Sanders is off to a fine start, running for 508 yards and three touchdowns on 83 carries. Defensively, the Hogs have one of Alabama's former linebackers in Drew Sanders. He's currently first in the country in sacks with 5.5. Sanders will be tasked with trying to throw Young off his game, but it won't be easy. Containing the Crimson Tide might be the hardest part for Arkansas, who are allowing 26 points per game and nearly 450 yards per outing. Defense isn't their strong suit.

Final Pick

I have a hard time seeing the Hogs being able to stop all of these weapons on Bama. Bryce Young is balling out, Traeshon Holden and Ja'Corey Brooks are just lethal downfield, and the running back duo of Jase McClellan and Jahmyr Gibbs is showing no signs of slowing down. You can count on another victory for the visitors here and I easily see them putting up 40+ points while covering the steep spread in the Alabama vs Arkansas prediction.

Alabama Crimson Tide To cover spread vs. Arkansas
-17.5 (+100)
BetOnline

Meet the author

Quinn Allen

Quinn Allen leverages his broadcast journalism degree and passion for sports in his betting previews and analysis. Based in Kelowna, Canada, he has emerged as an expert voice with picks featured on OSB, MTS, SBD, and as a ClutchPoints editor. With a lifelong fandom of...

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