Penn State Nittany Lions at Alabama Crimson Tide 2010 NCAAF Week 2 Odds, Preview, and Predictions: A retro rivalry resumes Saturday night at 7:00 PM ET as the No. 11 Penn State Nittany Lions travel to Tuscaloosa to play the No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide bringing back memories (for the older fans) of Alabama’s victory over PSU in the 1979 Sugar Bowl giving Bear Bryant the win and Alabama its 10th National Championship. The teams met annually from 1981 to 1990 and Bama’s defeat was the Lions lone loss in Joe Pa’s 1982 National Championship run. “I think it’s two football teams playing and I don’t think they really care that (someone) named Paterno coaches one team, and a guy named Bryant used to coach their team,” Paterno said downplaying the significance. Alabama is coming off an undefeated season and another National Championship. Vegas odds makers have the Alabama Crimson Tide a -13 point favorite at home against the Penn State Nittany Lions.
The Lions won their home opener handedly over Youngstown State 44-14 in Happy Valley. For the first time ever a true freshman started at quarterback as Rob Bolden 20 for 29 for 239 yards and two touchdowns with a pick in his debut victory. Both touchdown passes were to the 6’6” senior caption Brett Brackett who had 8 grabs for 98 yards to go with the touchdowns. The Lions rushing attack was led by Evan Royster’s 11 carries for 40 yards. PSU failed to cover the spread and the total went OVER. Vegas odds makers have the Penn State Nittany Lions +2100 odds to win the 2011 BCS National Championship.
The defending champion Tide rolled to an easy victory at home 48-3 Saturday night against San Jose State. Head football coach Nick Saban was please as he was without Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram as well as the defensive MVP of the BCS title game suspended Marcell Dareus. Neither player will be available for the PSU game Saturday night. Undefeated quarterback Greg McElroy went 13 for 15 for 218 yards and a touchdown in limited play. Running back Trent Richardson carried 10 times for 66 yards and in a mop up role Eddie Lacy ran 13 times for 111 yards. The total has gone OVER in 4 of Penn State’s last 6 games on the road. Odds makers at BetUS have the over/under for the total score at 44 points combined of the Penn State Nittany Lions and Alabama Crimson Tide.
As much as I’d like to see the Lions go in and pull out a victory I can’t see it happening. I predict a close game with Alabama winning but not covering so take the points to win! Note: Rich Fritz is a Blog Writer on NSAwins.com and not a pro handicapper. For expert NCAA College Football Predictions against the vegas spreads please visit the NSAwins.com homepage for top predictions today from the National Sports Advisors.