SEC Predictions: Picking every game against the spread for Week 4
Sep 19, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jake Coker (14) hands the ball off to Alabama Crimson Tide running back Kenyan Drake (17) during the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
- Date: Saturday September 26, 2015
- Time: 4:30PM Eastern
- Location: Tuscaloosa, AL
- TV Channel: SEC Network
- Spread: Alabama -38.5
- Over/Under Total: 55
The Alabama coaching staff made a very odd choice by choosing to start sophomore quarterback Cooper Bateman last week against Ole Miss, replacing senior Jake Coker, who led the Crimson Tide to a 2-0 start in non-conference games against Wisconsin and Middle Tennessee. It’s not that Bateman isn’t good enough to start, he is, but the timing – facing a Top 15 team in the SEC opener – wasn’t ideal for a player to make his first career start.
Things started poorly when Alabama fumbled the opening kickoff, and got worse when the offense sputtered early, prompting Coker into action. The senior threw for 201 yards and three touchdowns, and added 58 yards and a TD on the ground, but it wasn’t enough to overcome five total turnovers (including an interception from Bateman and two from Coker) in the 43-37 loss.
Now, Alabama must try to right the ship against ULM. Will the Crimson Tide come out like they’ve got something to prove? Or will last week’s loss carry over into this week’s preparations? Expect a slow start – especially with running back Derrick Henry’s status up in the air after he missed Wednesday’s practice with tonsillitis. Alabama will win big, but isn’t likely to cover 38.5 points.
Next: Texas A&M vs. Arkansas