Alabama vs. Ohio State betting odds and computer prediction
Alabama enters the postseason as top seed, facing Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl.
Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Ohio State and Alabama kick off at 8:30pm ET on New Years Day at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Crimson Tide are 4-0 straight up and against the spread in their last four games against Big Ten opponents. The Crimson Tide hope that their success against Big Ten teams continues in the Sugar Bowl on January 1 facing the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Alabama is a 9.5-point favorite in the Sugar Bowl at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com. It is a large number to cover in a postseason game, but Alabama should be able to do it and earn a win and cover with its strength on both sides of the ball.
OddsShark Computer Prediction: Ohio State 24, Alabama 33.6
Many were surprised by the hiring of Lane Kiffin as offensive coordinator at Alabama, but the move paid off for Nick Saban as the Crimson Tide churned out 37.1 points per game with an improved passing game. The offense averaged 48.3 points per game over Alabama's last three games to finish the season 2-0 ATS after the team went 2-8-1 ATS over its first 11 games. A more explosive offense hasn't taken away from a defense that ranked fourth in the nation in scoring allowed with 16.6 points per games against.
The Buckeyes suffered no drop off at all in Cardale Jones' first start at quarterback, a resounding 59-0 win in which Jones threw for three touchdowns and no interceptions. With that win, Ohio State earned its spot in the College Football Playoff and improved to 12-1 SU and 8-5 ATS on the season. Ohio State is 12-2 ATS in its last 14 games as a betting underdog but just 1-5 SU and ATS in its last six games against SEC opponents.
The OVER is 11-1 in Ohio State's last 12 games. The Sugar Bowl total is set at 58.5 points at the sportsbooks.
Jones did a fantastic job filling in for the injured J.T. Barrett in the Big Ten Championship Game, but can he put together a repeat performance against an elite defense that has had a month to prepare for him? Alabama is just too strong on both sides of the ball to go against as a 9.5-point favorite in the Sugar Bowl.
