2024 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Predictions and Betting Odds

by Matt Zitt - 8/21/2024

Alabama Crimson Tide predictions Justice Haynes

Alabama Crimson Tide Futures Odds (DraftKings)

National Championship Odds: +1400 | CFB Playoff Odds: -110 SEC Championship Odds: +750 Regular Season Wins: OVER 9.5 +120 | UNDER 9.5 -140

Alabama’s historic success under Nick Saban meant that the expectations each season were essentially National Championship or bust. The bar is still high, but expectations need to be kept in check for new coach Kalen DeBoer’s first season, as he brings together a new coaching staff and a turned-over roster that had almost 40 players leave through the transfer portal or for the NFL. Alabama plays a tough schedule but still has enough talent to compete for a spot in the new 12-team College Football Playoff.

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Previewing Alabama's Offense for 2024

New head coach Kalen DeBoer will bring an offensive system to Alabama that was among college football’s most productive at Washington the past two seasons. DeBoer lost his longtime offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb to the NFL but replaced him with Nick Sheridan, who coached tight ends at Washington and previously led Indiana’s offense. Sheridan will call plays and try to adjust the scheme that made Michael Penix Jr. so successful last season so that it best fits the strengths of Jalen Milroe. That could mean more deep shots and designed runs, taking advantage of Milroe’s athleticism and home-run ability.

Promising five-star sophomore Justice Haynes should anchor the backfield, but there are questions at wide receiver and along the offensive line. Five-star freshman receiver Ryan Williams could play a big early role, along with Washington transfer pass-catcher Germie Bernard.

Previewing Alabama's Defense for 2024

Nick Saban’s defense was among the best in college football for the past 17 seasons. Now, Alabama must turn the page to a new defensive coordinator in Kane Wommack, who stepped down as South Alabama’s head coach to rejoin DeBoer after they had previously worked together at Indiana. Wommack brings his 4-2-5 “Swarm” defense to the Tide, but he has emphasized that his system has evolved into something closer to Saban’s system. While Saban was known for his base 3-4 alignment, his defense in recent seasons has resembled a 4-2-5. Wommack has met with Saban to discuss where returning players best fit.

Alabama brings back some important pieces in defensive lineman Tim Keenan III, linebackers Deontae Lawson and Jihaad Campbell and safety Malachi Moore. But the Tide must replace the two-star pass rushers and two-star cornerbacks that they lost to the NFL.

Previewing Alabama's Specialists for 2024

For the first time since 2018, Alabama will begin a season with a kicker other than Will Reichard. His replacement: Graham Nicholson, a transfer from Miami (Ohio) who went 27-of-28 on field goals in 2023. Alabama will have two stalwarts back at punter in James Burnip and long snapper Kneeland Hibbett, both returning for a fourth season.

2024 Alabama Football Schedule

Aug 31 WKU
Sept 7 USF
Sept 14 at Wisconsin
Sept 21 OPEN DATE
Sept 28 Georgia
Oct 5 at Vanderbilt
Oct 12 South Carolina
Oct 19 at Tennessee
Oct 26 Missouri
Nov 2 OPEN DATE
Nov 9 at LSU
Nov 16 Mercer
Nov 23 at Oklahoma
Nov 30 Auburn

Alabama Football 2024 Win Total Prediction: OVER/UNDER 9.5 Wins

Again, of course Alabama will take a wee step back, because it must. And again, it does not matter in an expanded College Football Playoff era. Bama is one of those teams that just has to get in the door. Invite it to the party, and there is a chance it goes home with your date. Not having to play Texas or Ole Miss matters, and it is never a bad thing to miss Texas A&M on the schedule, but at Tennessee, at LSU, at Oklahoma - that is panic room stuff for just about anyone else. Throw in a trip to Wisconsin, home games against Missouri, some Georgia team, and the Iron Bowl against Auburn, which really and truly defies all logic and reason, and the word you are looking for is … Yikes. Even so … DeBoer will be fine, Alabama will be fine, and the program will be fine. It will get into the expanded College Football Playoff.

Alabama Preseason Pick

OVER 9.5 (+120) (DraftKings)

Alabama Best Bets

At the end of the day, it is still hard to bet against the Crimson Tide. Saban might not be on the sidelines anymore, but he still has his claws dug deep into the program. Jalen Milroe should take another step forward this season, and he is the real X-factor come Saturday’s. The schedule is a typical SEC schedule but could have been way worse. This team has every opportunity to reach double-digit wins in the regular season. And plus-money to reach 10 victories is worth the wager and equates to Alabama’s best bet before the season starts.

Alabama +120 to reach 10 wins in the regular season

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2024 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Predictions and Betting Odds

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