Colorado State vs. Alabama: TV Info, Spread, Injury Updates, Game Time and More

Alabama may have won last week over Texas A&M, but the consensus No. 1 team in the land cannot be content after the Aggies racked up 42 points and 464 total yards on offense.

Now Alabama head coach Nick Saban and Co. return home to Tuscaloosa for their first home game of the season and welcome Colorado State from the MWC and former Crimson Tide offensive coordinator Jim McElwain to town.

McElwain, now head coach of the Rams, conducted Alabama's offense during a period when Alabama won two national championships from 2008-2011 and knows what to expect from his former boss.

The following is everything fans need to know about the matchup.

When: Saturday, September 21 at 7 p.m. ET

Where: Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, AL

Television: ESPN 2

Live Stream: ESPN3

Betting Lines (via Vegas Insider)

• Over/Under: 51 pts
• Spread: Alabama (-39)

Colorado State Injury Report (via USA Today)

Joe Hansley	WR	09/17/2013	is questionable for Saturday's game against Alabama	Questionable	ankle
Charles Lovett	WR	09/15/2013	is questionable for Saturday's game against Alabama	Questionable	knee
Eric Williams	RB	09/17/2013	is expected to miss 3-4 weeks	Out	undisclosed

Alabama Injury Report (via USA Today)

Deion Belue	CB	09/15/2013	is questionable for Saturday's game against Colorado State	Questionable	toe
Alvin Kamara	RB	09/15/2013	is questionable for Saturday's game against Colorado State	Questionable	knee
Wilson Love	DT	09/15/2013	is questionable for Saturday's game against Colorado State	Questionable	concussion
Kevin Norwood	WR	09/16/2013	is questionable for Saturday's game against Colorado State	Questionable	undisclosed
Anthony Steen	G	09/16/2013	is probable for Saturday's game against Colorado State	Probable	undisclosed
Dalvin Tomlinson	DE	09/07/2013	is expected to miss the remainder of the season	Out	knee

Can the Rams' Defense Step Up and Create?

If Alabama plays like it did last week, Colorado State is going to find it difficult to stay in the game. The Rams' defense found issues in the first two weeks of the season as it allowed 71 points total in losses to Colorado and Tulsa.

Things were better last week as Colorado State held Cal Poly to just 17 points. The defense clicks when the offense can control the ball via the running game, which is exactly what occurred as running back Chris Nwoke rumbled for 133 yards and the Rams held a seven-minute advantage in time of possession.

Alabama presents an uphill climb for the Rams. Last week alone the offense McElwain used to direct racked up 568 total yards through an extreme balance with A.J. McCarron's 334 passing yards and T.J. Yeldon's 149 rushing on just 25 attempts.

Prediction

The talent disparity between Alabama and Colorado State is staggering. The Rams have dropped 14 straight against Top 25 teams and that won't change with an encounter against the nation's best team.

Alabama will win big, but it won't be as excessive as odds suggest. Saban won't let things get out of hand against a former employee and he'll be smart enough to test the depth of his team and get youngsters some quality playing time.

An SEC showdown with Ole Miss looms for Alabama, so health against Colorado State is imperative. Starters won't last long once the Crimson Tide get ahead.

Final Score 

Alabama wins 38-7

Follow B/R's Chris Roling on Twitter for more news and analysis @Chris_Roling

Follow B/R's Chris Roling on Twitter for more news and analysis @Chris_Roling