Not often does The Brink plunge right into handicapping.  Our staff likes to take a balance approached to betting, babes, and booze.  That being said, the college football game of the week has appeal in multiple dimensions.  This game should be a barn burner that tests the limits of defense.  It is a pivotal conference game as well as pertinent for the national championship landscape.  Finally, it might the old guard might be usurped in the SEC as they go for two upsets in a row.  We are of course talking about Ole Miss (#15) going to #2 Alabama this Saturday.

Ole Miss at Bama Background

History has this as a rout but as we all know past results do not predict future outcomes.  In order to buck the pattern of Bama being 25-1 at home in this series there has to be a strong trend or trait to counter this.   Indeed there is as the Ole Miss offense does not mind pouring it on with their over a point a minute pace.  More importantly, the Rebels proved that they can hang with their upset win last year.  Finally, two quarterback systems rarely work for a major college power.  It is a sign of not having an elite signal caller.  Ole Miss has picked up on this and will load up the box to stop the Crimson Tide rushing attack.

Key Point

• Attrition.  Ole Miss has not faced the possession game of Alabama.  The Crimson Tide wore down one of the most physical teams in America in beating up on the Badgers of Wisconsin.  The cupcake diet of Ole Miss has done them no favors in evaluating how deep the gas tank goes for them.  Rebel’s defense could get taxed by the start of the fourth.

Gauntlet

Seemingly every year Alabama does it but even we recoiled at their SEC schedule this year.  The road games against Texas A M, Georgia, Mississippi State, and Auburn are very daunting.  LSU and Tenn at home should be manageable with a weaker than expected Arkansas team being an unexpected break.  Add it all together and it euates to more of a yeoman effort this week.  Saban’s elite program just has to maintain and win.  It is not under pressure of say a TCU to also get style points.  This lack of additional self induced pressure is pivotal for our Free Pick in this one.

An opening total of 49 has gone all the way up to 54 before settling at 53 1/2.  A lack of a potent vertical game will result in longer drives for the Crimson Tide.  All of this adds up to the total maxing out.  The free pick here is to plunder the under 53 1/2.  Get in those investments now at America’s Bookie for the 9pm start on Saturday for this one.  Good fortune and we will see you tomorrow here at The Brink.