College Football Picks Against the Spread: Alabama vs. Ole Miss

After disposing of Vanderbilt in Week 6, the No. 2 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide will now head out on the road for a visit with 2-3 Mississippi.

The Rebels are one of just two teams that stand between the Tide and the team’s big showdown with LSU on Nov. 5.

In last year’s meeting between these two, Alabama was uncharacteristically sluggish, ultimately trudging to a 23-10 victory.

The boys in Vegas set the spread for this year’s matchup at 24 but that number is already starting to climb up to 26.

So far this season, the Tide are 5-1 against the spread while the Rebels are just 2-3, but Ole Miss has managed to cover five out of the last six times these two have met.

When looking at this game on paper, it’s an obvious mismatch.

Alabama has one of the most dominant defenses in the country, while Mississippi’s offense has been putrid, ranking 92nd in the country in scoring offense and 114th in total offense, averaging just 22 points and 274 yards per game.

It’s surprising that the Rebels have been so bad on the offensive side of the ball, because they do have talent on the offensive line and one of the most dangerous offensive weapons in the SEC in Jeff Scott.

The problem has been the lack of consistency at the quarterback position.

Houston Nutt has been forced to play all three of his quarterbacks, and none of them have been able to get the job done.

Randall Mackey will get the nod once again this week and it should be interesting to see how he fares against a ferocious Tide defense.

I know all the trends and stats point to an Alabama blowout, but something tells me that Mississippi will cover the number in this one.

After picking up a much needed win at Fresno State in Week 5, the Rebels had an off week to regroup and prepare for Alabama. Plus, I’m not sure how up and raring to go the Alabama players are going to be for this game.

Call me crazy, but I’d recommend taking Mississippi, getting the 26 points.