Alabama’s preseason betting outlook hasn’t been as bright as it has been since the Nick Saban era.
The Crimson Tide are currently listed as +1500 (BetMGM Sportsbook) to win a national championship in new head coach Cullen DeBoer’s first year at the helm.
These are Alabama’s worst preseason win odds in 16 years, with the Tide being a long shot at +6000 in 2008, Nick Saban’s second season at the helm in Tuscaloosa. According to Sports Odds History.
Since 2008, Alabama’s odds of winning a national title have only been lower than 7/1 once and have never been lower than 12/1.
Expectations for Alabama are somewhat lower, but oddsmakers still project the team to have a strong season.
Their chances of winning a national championship are tied with Ole Miss for the fifth-best in college football.
The over/under for Alabama’s win total is 9.5 wins, and if the over goes up, Alabama will almost certainly make the College Football Playoff with odds of +105 to miss.
They have won at least 10 games every season since 2008.
Coach DeBoer will welcome Heisman Trophy candidate Jalen Milroe, who is +1000 odds to win the trophy, into his offensive line in his second season at Alabama.
The Crimson Tide’s new coach had a great season in Washington, leading the Huskies to the national championship game, where they lost to Michigan.
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Alabama has tough road games against Wisconsin, Tennessee and Louisiana State, plus a home matchup against Georgia that could determine its fate next season.
With Saban no longer a college football coach, Georgia State (+300) and Ohio State (+325) are the clear top two favorites to win, followed by Texas State (+775) and Oregon State (+800).
Reigning national champion Michigan, with legendary coach Jim Harbaugh moving to the Chargers, is +2500.
