Alabama vs. Michigan: Complete Betting Guide for Incredible Week 1 Contest

The No. 2-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide and No. 8-ranked Michigan Wolverines are facing off on Saturday, Sept. 1 in Dallas, Texas for a game that will almost certainly have BCS bowl implications.

With so much on the line in Week 1, it just makes sense that it’s the most popular game of the week for gamblers to wager on.

If you want a piece of the action, here’s a quick guide on how you should bet the game.

Odds Courtesy of ScoresAndOdds.com 

Spread: Alabama (-14) over Michigan

The Crimson Tide are simply the superior team. Although this line moved from -12.5 up to two touchdowns this week, it’s still the right play.

Nick Saban’s fearsome defense will do its job and overwhelm the Michigan offense, keeping Michigan limited in its gains. But the real clincher is the offensive line.

‘Bama’s O-line is simply unstoppable. It returns four starters, with three in the running for an All-American nod. These young men are simply bigger and stronger than the inexperienced and undersized Wolverines defensive front, and they will have a field day mauling the Wolverines defense around.

Expect the Tide to roll through Michigan with run after run, putting up plenty of touchdowns and covering the spread. 

Over/Under: Over 45.5

The over is the bet to make on the point total. Alabama’s defense is great, but it lost a number of high-quality starters to the NFL, and the unit isn't sure exactly what it has yet in 2012.

Michigan’s offense is bound to put up at least a few scores, and Denard Robinson is a good enough QB to make something happen by himself once or twice.

As previously mentioned, ‘Bama should have no problem scoring on the ground and will use a more experienced A.J. McCarron to pick up easy yards through the air once the Wolverines stack the box.

Predicted Final Score: Alabama 32, Michigan 17