With a massive loss of talent off to the NFL, there were some out there doubting whether the Alabama Crimson Tide were due for a bit of a regression heading into their game at Miami. Well, they put those doubts to rest quickly.
The Tide crushed the Canes while Bryce Young made an emphatic Heisman statement in the process. But can Bama stay focused as massive favorites against the FCS Mercer Bears?
Find out more about one of our favorite betting trends with our free college football betting picks and predictions for Mercer vs. Alabama on Saturday, September 11.
Mercer vs Alabama odds
Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.
Alabama opens this matchup as massive 53.5-point favorites. The total opened at 60.5. Be sure to check out the full college football odds before placing your bets, and also view the full line movement for this game.
Mercer vs Alabama picks
Picks made on 9/10/2021 at 10:20 a.m. ET.
Click on each pick to jump to the full analysis.
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Mercer vs Alabama game info
• Location: Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, AB
• Date: Saturday, September 11, 2021
• Time: 4:00 p.m. ET
• TV: SEC Network
Mercer vs Alabama betting preview
Weather
Be sure to monitor the gametime conditions with our NCAA football weather info.
Key injuries
Mercer: No key injuries to report.
Alabama: Henry To'oto'o LB (Questionable).
Find our latest NCAA football injury reports.
Betting trend to know
Alabama is 8-2 ATS in its last 10 games when favored by 20 points or more. Find more NCAA betting trends for Mercer vs. Alabama.
Mercer vs Alabama predictions
Alabama -53.5 (-110)
No Mac Jones. No Najee Harris. No Devonta Smith and no Jaylen Waddle. No problem.
Alabama went out and smacked around Miami 44-13, easily covering the spread as 19.5-point road favorites while quarterback Bryce Young announced himself to the college football world.
The sophomore went 27-38 for 344 yards with four touchdowns and no picks in a widely-praised debut. Meanwhile, the Bama defense was just as impressive, forcing Miami QB D’Eriq King to spend most of the game checking down and holding the Canes to just 2.8 yards per carry.
But can the Tide keep their focus and cover this huge number against Mercer? The Bears are a fine team but aren’t even in the Top 25 in the FCS rankings. So, this is all about Bama. And whether or not they won’t let up.
Well for starters, head coach Nick Saban did his best in his mid-week presser to make sure his team didn’t overlook the Bears. He basically said they haven’t won anything yet and weren’t impressive after halftime against Miami, winning the second half just 17-10.
Bama is also 6-0 ATS in its last six games when laying 20 or more points and won its last game against an FCS team (Western Carolina in 2019) by a score of 66-3, covering as 58.5-point faves. Yes, it’s a massive number but fade at your own risk.
Alabama -38 First Half (-110)
One way to combat the fear that Alabama might let up in the second half of a potential blowout like this is to look at them on the first half spread.
The Crimson Tide have been one of the best first-half bets in football and are 10-2 against the first-half spread in their last 12 regular-season games. Last season, Bama led the FBS in first-half scoring, averaging 29.4 points before the half, and the Tide picked up right where they left off last season jumping out to a 27-3 lead over Miami heading into the break last week.
Backing Bama on the first-half spread may be the safest bet to make in this game.
Did you know that if you parlayed our Mercer vs. Alabama picks, you could win $26.45 on a $10 bet?
Use our college football parlay calculator to create your own parlays and see their potential payouts.
Where can I bet on college football odds?
You can bet on college football odds at every online and casino sportsbook, including NCAA moneylines, spreads, Over/Under totals, and a ton of college football prop odds. Head over to our best football betting sites for the top spots to bet on college football odds in your area.
