Western Kentucky vs. Alabama: Picks, Predictions and Odds

The new-look Alabama Crimson Tide are one of the most intriguing teams in the 2024 College Football season, and they will host the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers to open the campaign.

Western Kentucky is expected to take a step back in Conference USA this season, while Alabama is entering into a new era following the retirement of legendary head coach Nick Saban.

While this opening week matchup won’t decide a spot in the new expanded 12-team playoff in December, it’ll be a good barometer for what this Alabama team will look like under new head coach Kalen DeBoer and his staff. 

Western Kentucky vs. Alabama betting picks and predictions

Western Kentucky +32.0 (-110)

Over the course of its history, Western Kentucky has competed fairly well in Conference USA, where the Hilltoppers’ pass-heavy offense can get the job done. However, when it comes to facing teams in the SEC, they are not very good. 

In fact, despite some of their talented teams over the years, the Hilltoppers are just 4-19 lifetime against the conference, including an 0-3 record against Alabama.

The best Western Kentucky can hope for in a matchup like this is that Alabama, with all of their transition this season, treats it like a true exhibition game and does not put forth a maximum effort as a result.  

With Saban gone and a new regime in the building, it’s now up to DeBoer to continue the legacy of an all-time great coach. There is cause for optimism within the program, as there’s no doubt he knows how to win at any level of football. 

Coming off a season in which DeBoer put on a coaching clinic en route to Washington making the National Championship game, it would be hard for fans to doubt that he won’t have the same success at a powerhouse like Alabama.

DeBoer’s ultimate fate at Alabama is probably more likely to reveal itself in the coming years rather than this season, but it starts with the continued development of Jalen Milroe at quarterback. If Milroe can make the leap this season, the sky is the limit for this Alabama offense.

Given the change on both sides of the ball and a lot of roster turnover for Alabama, our expert is leaning towards taking the Hilltoppers to cover the 32-point spread, primarily because they have some continuity and thus they might be a little more efficient to start the season.

Asking a slightly above average Group of 5 team to cover this number on the road is an uphill climb, but if Western Kentucky can get a score or two early and Alabama is just not quite in sync in the first half, the Crimson Tide will likely run out of time before they are at peak dominance.

Even if DeBoer’s team coasts to something like a 38-10 victory, that scoreline still wouldn’t see Alabama cover this inflated number. Western Kentucky likely won’t be competitive for more than a quarter or two, but that’s all the Hilltoppers would need to cover a spread that’s over four touchdowns.

Therefore, our expert is taking the points with the underdog with our Western Kentucky vs. Alabama pick.

Read more betting picks and predictions for College Football on site.

Western Kentucky vs. Alabama odds

Western Kentucky	+2500 ML
Alabama	-10000 ML
Spread	Alabama -32.0
Total Points	59.5 O/U

Read the latest College Football news on site.

This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.