Michigan Wolverines vs Alabama Crimson Tide Pick Against the Spread

No. 8 Michigan Wolverines vs. No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide

NCAA Football Point Spread: Alabama -12.5 O/U OFF

Saturday September 1, 2012 8 PM EST ABC

By: Barrett Kazmerzack of Coopers Pick CALL NOW 1-888-730-2667

Alabama comes into the 2012 season as the #2 ranked team in the nation even though they lost 9 players from the nation’s top-ranked defense last season. Yeah, the Tide are that deep. Michigan comes into this season with high hopes behind possible Heisman candidate Denard Robinson under center.

Last season Alabama had an ATS record of 8-4 and an Over/Under record of 6-6 and Michigan was also 8-4 ATS and they had an Over/Under record of 5-7.

This game will be held at a neutral site in Arlington Texas.

While Robinson is an electric QB the Wolverines may be led by their defense this season. Last season they ranked 2^nd in the Big 10 on defense and they have 7 returning starters on D. LB Kenny Demens led the team in tackles last season and LT Taylor Lewan are a pair of seniors that will have to lead the defense in this game.

Junior QB AJ McCarron leads Bama and he has more zip on his balls heading into this season since he had surgery on his shoulder last season. The Wolverines really have to bottle up the electric WR of Kenny Bell, who is Alabama’s most explosive receiver.

With Trent Richardson now in the NFL Eddie Lacy will be the featured back and as a backup in the last 2 seasons he has 1,080 rushing yards with 13 TD. Freshman T.J. Yeldon may also see time in the backfield and the highly touted recruit was the MVP of the Spring Game.

Robinson may be the best duel-threat QB in the nation and last season he passed for over 2,000 yards and rushed for over 1,150 yards. His 2 main targets are Roy Roundtree and Jeremy Gallon and these guys have a lot of pressure on them this season. The Bama secondary is young, but led by FS Robert Lester they are still solid.

One key in this game is the turnover and Robinson had 15 INT last season. He has to be careful in this game facing the ultra-athletic Tide secondary.

Robinson does not have to man the rushing attack by himself, as RB Fitzgerald Toussaint rushed for 1,041 yards with 9 TD last season. Up front LB C.J. Mosley leads the Tide and he and the front guys have to keep Robinson and Fitzgerald from busting through the line. Robinson can throw on the run and if the Tide can keep him out of the pocket and on the run they have a better chance to come up with some turnovers.

In some betting trends for this opening non-conference match up Michigan is 9-2-1 ATS in their last 12 non-conference games, 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 neutral site games, and they have an Under record of 4-1 in their last 5 non-conference games.

Alabama is 5-0 ATS in their last 5 neutral site games, 8-1 ATS in their last 9 non-conference games, and they have an Over record of 8-3-1 in their last 12 non-conference games.