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The last time the Alabama Crimson Tide (1-0, 0-0) lost a game at Bryant-Denny Stadium was in 2019. Since then, all Nick Saban's team has done is reel off 21 straight wins at home. The Tide are also riding a 43 game win streak against non-conference opponents.
Yeah, it goes without saying that the Texas Longhorns (1-0, 0-0) have a tall task ahead in a big road game...
Both teams won their season opening games by large margins as expected. The Longhorns handled the Rice Owls to the tune of 37-10 while the Crimson Tide sent Middle Tennessee State packing with a 56-7 loss. Saturday is now here and so is arguably the biggest non conference matchup of the season. This is the Longhorns' second ever trip to Tuscaloosa, with the first visit taking place over a century ago (1902).
Alabama returns five starters on offense and six starters on defense. Starting quarterback Jalen Milroe (redshirt sophomore) finished last week's win over Middle Tennessee State with 194 yards passing and three touchdowns. Milroe, a dual-threat behind center, also led the Crimson Tide in rushing with 64 yards and two touchdowns.
Texas sophomore quarterback Quinn Ewers threw for 260 yards and three touchdowns against the Owls last weekend and added a rushing touchdown. Ewers has now thrown 146 consecutive passes without an INT which is the fourth longest streak in Texas Football history. He will need more of that against Alabama in order to pull off the upset win.
While there are many storylines in this game (Saban vs. Sarkisian, Ewers vs. Milroe, etc...) this game will be won by the team that limits mistakes and takes advantage of opportunities. The Crimson Tide are favored by a touchdown by the Vegas oddsmakers, but Steve Sarkisian likes his team's preparation and focus for this matchup against a Goliath of an opponent that narrowly won last year's game in Austin by a touchdown.
A win for the Longhorns would be program-changing and could be the catalyst the Longhorns need to make a run at the College Football Playoffs this season. Another loss to the Crimson Tide and Texas and Sarkisian will be back to square one, in search of a signature win with more unanswered questions for the program.
What: #11 Texas Longhorns vs. #3 Alabama Crimson Tide
When: Saturday, September 9, 2023
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Venue: Bryant-Denny Stadium
TV: ESPN
Spread: Alabama -7
All Time-Record: Texas leads Alabama 7-2-1
Last Meeting: Alabama defeated Texas 20-19 (9/10/2022 - Austin, TX)
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