College football Top 25 picks: Alabama vs. Texas provides some Saban-Sarkisian sizzle

It will be a reunion of sorts for coaches Nick Saban and Steve Sarkisian when No. 1 Alabama visits Texas on Saturday in Austin.

Sarkisian served as Saban's offensive coordinator with the Crimson Tide in 2019-2020, a position that helped him revitalize his coaching career and ultimately land the top job he owns today with the Longhorns. Saban called Sarkisian "one of the finest coaches" to be part of his staff in Tuscaloosa.

High praise from the godfather of the game.

The coaching meeting of the minds is a tasty subplot to what is expected to be one of the more interesting games of Week 2.

FrontPageBets breaks down the numbers behind the Tide and 'Horns, as well as the entire top 25 slate.

(Odds courtesy of DraftKings and subject to change)

Alabama outlook

What did we learn from Alabama's 55-0 pasting of Utah State? For one, quarterback Bryce Young may very well put himself in position to repeat as Heisman Trophy winner. The junior threw for five touchdowns and ran for another in limited action.

Other offensive stalwarts for the Tide included receiver Traeshon Holden (five catches, 70 yards, two TDs) and running back Jahmyr Gibbs (10 carries, 90 yards). Alabama outgained Utah State 559 yards to 136.

Linebackers Jaylen Moody (six tackles) and Will Anderson Jr. (five) spearheaded the Tide's bruising defense.

Texas outlook

The Longhorns tuned up by manhandling Louisiana-Monroe, 52-10. Quarterback Quinn Ewers was steady, completing 16 of 24 attempts for 225 yards and a pair of scores. 

Running back Bijan Robinson piled up 71 yards and a TD on 10 totes. Receiver Ja'Tavion Sanders snared six passes for 85 yards and a touchdown.

Defensively, linebacker DeMarvion Overshown was all over the field, collecting eight tackles, two for losses.

No. 1 Alabama vs. Texas

• When: Saturday, noon, FOX
• Spread: Alabama -20.5 (-110); Texas +20.5 (-110)
• Money line: Alabama -1400; Texas +850
• O/U: 65.5 (-110)
• The pick: Alabama, 48-10

Other Top 25 games

Arkansas State vs. No. 3 Ohio State

• When: Saturday, noon, BTN
• Spread: Ohio State -44 (-110); Arkansas State +44 (-110)
• Money line: No line
• O/U: Over 68.5 (-105); Under 68.5 (-115)
• The pick: Ohio State, 63-6

Southern Miss vs. No. 15 Miami

• When: Saturday, noon, ACCN
• Spread: Miami -24.5 (-110); Southern Miss +24.5 (-110)
• Money line: Miami -3500; Southern Miss +1400
• O/U: 53.5 (-110)
• The pick: Miami, 42-21

South Carolina vs. No. 16 Arkansas

• When: Saturday, noon, ESPN
• Spread: Arkansas -8.5 (-110); South Carolina +8.5 (-110)
• Money line: Arkansas -320; South Carolina +265
• O/U: 53 (-110)
• The pick: South Carolina, 28-24

No. 23 Wake Forest vs. Vanderbilt

• When: Saturday, noon, SECN
• Spread: Wake Forest -13.5 (-105); Vanderbilt +13.5 (-115)
• Money line: Wake Forest -460; Vanderbilt +370
• O/U: Over 66.5 (-115); Under 66.5 (-105)
• The pick: Wake Forest, 35-21

Charleston Southern vs. No. 18 N.C. State

• When: Saturday, 12:30 p.m., ESPN3
• Spread: No line
• Money line: No line
• O/U: No line

Southern Utah vs. No. 13 Utah

• When: Saturday, 1:30 p.m., PAC12
• Spread: No line
• Money line: No line
• O/U: No line

Marshall vs. No. 8 Notre Dame

• When: Saturday, 2:30 p.m., NBC
• Spread: Notre Dame -20.5 (-110); Marshall +20.5 (-110)
• Money line: Notre Dame -1400; Marshall +850
• O/U: 51 (-110)
• The pick: Notre Dame, 35-17

Furman vs. No. 5 Clemson

• When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m., ACCN
• Spread: No line
• Money line: No line
• O/U: No line

Appalachian State vs. No. 6 Texas A&M

• When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m., ESPN2
• Spread: Texas A&M -18.5 (-110); Appalachian State +18.5 (-110)
• Money line: Texas A&M -975; Appalachian State +675
• O/U: 54 (-110)
• The pick: Texas A&M, 49-10

Tennessee at No. 17 Pittsburgh

• When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m., ABC
• Spread: Tennessee -6.5 (-110); Pittsburgh +6.5 (-110)
• Money line: Tennessee -245; Pittsburgh +205
• O/U: 67 (-110)
• The pick: Pittsburgh, 35-31

Washington State vs. No. 19 Wisconsin

• When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m., FOX
• Spread: Wisconsin -17.5 (-110); Washington State +17.5 (-110)
• Money line: Wisconsin -1150; Washington State +750
• O/U: 49 (-110)
• The pick: Wisconsin, 38-14

Samford vs. No. 2 Georgia

• When: Saturday, 4 p.m., SECN
• Spread: No line
• Money line: No line
• O/U: No line

Akron vs. No. 14 Michigan State

• When: Saturday, 4 p.m., BTN
• Spread: Michigan State -34.5 (-110); Akron +34.5 (-110)
• Money line: No line
• O/U: 56 (-110)
• The pick: Michigan State, 49-10

No. 25 Houston vs. Texas Tech

• When: Saturday, 4 p.m., FS1
• Spread: Texas Tech -3 (-105); Houston +3 (-115)
• Money line: Texas Tech -140; Houston +120
• O/U: Over 63.5 (-115); Under 63.5 (-105)
• The pick: Houston, 38-31

Kent State vs. No. 7 Oklahoma

• When: Saturday, 7 p.m., ESPN+
• Spread: Oklahoma -33.5 (-110); Kent State +33.5 (-110)
• Money line: No line
• O/U: 71 (-110)
• The pick: Oklahoma, 63-10

No. 20 Kentucky vs. No. 12 Florida

• When: Saturday, 7 p.m., ESPN
• Spread: Florida -5.5 (-115); Kentucky +5.5 (-105)
• Money line: Florida -205; Kentucky +175
• O/U: 52.5 (-110)
• The pick: Florida, 31-24

Central Arkansas vs. No. 22 Ole Miss

• When: Saturday, 7 p.m., ESPN
• Spread: No line
• Money line: No line
• O/U: No line

Arizona State vs. No. 12 Oklahoma State

• When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m., ESPN2
• Spread: Oklahoma State -11 (-110); Arizona State +11 (-110)
• Money line: Oklahoma State -410; Arizona State +330
• O/U: 57.5 (-110)
• The pick: Oklahoma State, 35-17

No. 10 USC vs. Stanford

• When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m., ABC
• Spread: USC -8.5 (-115); Stanford +8.5 (-105)
• Money line: USC -330; Stanford +275
• O/U: 67 (-110)
• The pick: USC, 49-17

Hawaii vs. No. 4 Michigan

• When: Saturday, 8 p.m., BTN
• Spread: Michigan -51.5 (-110); Hawaii +51.5 (-110)
• Money line: No line
• O/U: 67 (-110)
• The pick: Michigan, 59-6

No. 9 Baylor vs. No. 21 BYU

• When: Saturday, 10:15 p.m., ESPN
• Spread: BYU -4 (-105); Baylor +4 (-115)
• Money line: BYU -175; Baylor +150
• O/U: 53.5 (-110)
• The pick: Baylor, 28-21

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