Alabama vs. Texas: Crimson Tide open as 6.5-point favorites vs. Longhorns

Week 1 may have been the beginning of the season but everyone in Austin and Tuscaloosa is waiting for Sept. 9. Arguably the most discussed nonconference game of the 2023 season, Texas will be heading East to face off against the Alabama Crimson Tide. A game full of incredible storylines, it’s officially game week.

To no surprise, Alabama will enter Saturday’s contest as the favorites. According to Fan Duel, the Crimson Tide will be 6.5-point favorites against Texas. A line that has been available for quite some time during the offseason, oddsmakers have now gotten a look at both teams. They are going to stick with the home team.

Even in a tough position, Alabama is rarely an underdog. The 2021 SEC Championship and national championship game against Georgia was the last time. Before then, you have to go all the way back to the 2015 season when Nick Saban took his team into Samford Stadium. Two of them resulted in a win, with the ’21 title game being the lone loss.

Florida in the 2009 SEC Championship game was the last non-Georgia team to be favored against Alabama.

Maybe Texas will earn the honor one day against Alabama. Unfortunately for Steve Sarkisian, it will not be on Saturday as the oddsmakers are not expecting a win.

Alabama, Texas set for highly-anticipate nonconference matchup

On paper alone, Alabama and Texas meeting in football is going to bring excitement. Two of the biggest brands in all of college athletics going head-to-head will get eyeballs. Add in the stakes coming up on Saturday night and the anticipation will build up even further.

Alabama got a near walk-off win in Austin last season, breaking the hearts of Texas fans in attendance. Will Reichard hit a field goal with just seconds remaining and sent the Crimson Tide back home in an incredible mood.

Sarkisian will be hoping to get revenge and travel home with his team following a win. Not too many can say they left Bryant-Denny Stadium with a win. Especially when former assistants come to town.

He will also be making a return to Alabama for the first time since leaving. Sarkisian last coached for Alabama in the 2020 national championship, defeating Ohio State in a big way. The move to Texas was pretty quick after the win.

After cheering for Sarkisian, there will be no mercy from the Alabama fanbase on his return.